Epilogue
Crawford
“They’re kicking.”Owen grimaced. He rubbed a hand over his swollen stomach and glanced over to Crawford. “Do that thing you do and make them stop. It’sweird.”
“How are you going to get through your last two months?” Crawford asked with a laugh. His hand slid under Owen’s, and he rubbed at the spot where the babies kicked. Twins. Brad told them they were lucky to have gotten off so easily. “They’re only going to get moreactive.”
“Brad says that with multiples, birth often happens prematurely.” Owen settled against the back of the couch, hands falling away from his body to give Crawford clear access. “I’m hoping they make their debut sooner rather thanlater.”
The squirming stopped. The twins settled down. Crawford could already tell they were going to be a handful, but he looked forward to the challenge. After years of wandering, it was time tosettledown.
He wasready.
“Sooner would be good, as long as they’re healthy,” Crawford agreed. “I’d want them to bethere.”
“To be where?” Owen narrowed his eyescuriously.
“At the wedding.” Crawford bit back a grin. “I’d hate for them tomissit.”
“Who’s getting married?” Owen wrinkled his nose. “Brad? I didn’t know Brad was datinganyone.”
“No, pet.” Crawford kissed histemple. “Us.”
There was a moment of silence as the words sank in. Crawford used it to free the ring box from where he’d hidden it beside the couch. He popped the top open to expose the gold bandwithin.
Owen saidnothing.
“So, the choice is yours, pet.” Crawford’s lips quirked into a smirk. “Will you orwon’tyou?”
“You’re terrible,” Owen accused, but he was already starting to cry. Tears ran down his cheeks in silent, glossy streams. “What kind of a choiceisthat?”
“Some say it’s the most important one you’ll ever make, but I disagree. We already made the most important choice we’ll ever make, and the consequence of it is growing inside of you right now. But this comes at a closesecond.”
Owen’s eyes shone with tears. He shook his head slowly. “Yes. Of course I’d say yes. It’s not really much of a choiceatall.”
“It’s always been your choice,” Crawford said. “All this time you’ve been the one in control, pet. I’m a slave toyourword.”
Owen made a huffing noise between happy and incredulous, but as Crawford freed the ring from the box and slipped it onto his finger, his expression brightened. With his free hand, he wiped his eyes. “You know that’snottrue.”
“And you know it is.” Crawford took Owen’s hand and kissed it. “Since the first day we met I’ve been under your spell. I don’t think that’s going to change anytimesoon.”
Crawford always knew the handsome omega with the startling blue eyes would be his. Now that desire wasreality.
Not only would Owen wear his collar, but he would wearhisring.
Crawford would care for him for the rest ofhislife.
“I love you, Crawford,” Owen said. The ring looked pretty on his finger, and Crawfordbeamed.
“And Iloveyou.”
The twins made getting close difficult, but Owen maneuvered on the couch so that they could kiss. Crawford held him delicately, reading the signs of his body and giving Owen the pleasure he deserved. It had been too long he’d kept his heart shielded, afraid to make connections for fear of losing yet another loved one. Owen was the balm his soul needed, their family a promise that no matter what happened, Crawford would never have to be aloneagain.
Crawford’s heart had spoken—it told him that he was worthy of happiness, and that his happiness was in Owen. But of course, the choice to listen was his to make. To Crawford, the decisionwaseasy.
Crawfordwouldobey.
