“Me too,” he slurs, leaning back against my shoulder. “Baby, I love you so much. You have my baby, okay?”
I gasp. I try to play it cool, patting him on the arm and hoping no one heard. “Yes, JJ, we’ll have babies someday.”
“Nooo, Kenni. You have my babynow. Like…nine months. You already have my baby. It’s right here,” he says as he pats my belly.
Oh shit.
It’s loud in here, and everyone else is involved in other conversations, which means no one noticed Jordan’s confession. Except for one person.Maggie. Of course, she heard it and is looking right at me, her eyes wider than I’ve ever seen. I return her look with a pleading stare, silently begging her not to say anything. She nods with a wicked smile and a silent,I told you so.
I roll my eyes. She was right.Why are my friendsalwaysright about this shit?
Honestly, I’m glad they were right and even more glad to have them in my life. Maggie, being my neighbor, led me to this amazing group of friends. My being the Riders’ pilot led me to the incredible, but very drunk, man on my shoulder. And fake dating him is what led to us embarking on a lifelong journey together. I cheers Maggie, knowing my friends were probably right about another thing—Jordan already has a ring. Not the Championship one, he’ll get this fall, but one for me. I can feel it in my gut. And when he asks, my answer will be yes. This ridiculously handsome, kind-hearted man, stole a piece of my heart he gets to keep forever. Resting my cheek against his sweaty hair, I can’t believe how my life has changed.Jordan can have the whole damn thing because he’s given me his in return.The only person we’ll ever be sharing with is the little one that’ll be making their appearance next year.
As we head to the car, I can’t help but think about what’s in store for us. Car seats, strollers, diapers, late-night feedings. And with two really crazy jobs, we’ll have to figure some things out. It’s too overwhelming to think about now, but we’ll make it work. I’m not worried at all, honestly. The way we were so in sync yesterday, teaming up to defeat evil, I know our kids are going to have the best parents ever. If we can survive Angelica and Chadd, I know we can survive angsty teenagers. I cringe, glancing at the man by my side. I may regret that statement in about 15 years.
“Come on, pretty-boy, let’s get you home.”
“I love you, baby. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, JJ.”
I squeeze his fingers, my body exhausted, but my heart full. This has been my dream for as long as I can remember. Having a husband, a family, and a place to always hang my scarf. I can fly solo, but since meeting him? I never want to do life alone again. It’s funny—I always pictured Jordan with his head in the clouds. A dreamer. A performer. A complete goofball. And me? I’m the pilot. Serious. Focused. Always in the air and in control. Yet, somehow, he’s the one who keeps me grounded. It’s more than I ever imagined.
It’s everything.
epilogue: part 1
jordan
Six Months Later
Psst! Hey you. Yes,you.The one reading this book. Yeah, I can see you. Did you think I didn’t know you’ve been sitting there reading this smutty little romance book? God, I love it so much. I don’t know about you, but this one is one-hundo percent my favorite. Listen, Ellie says I’m not supposed to talk to you, but I figured you’d want a little recap of what’s happened in the last few months.
So…we’re pregnant! Holy shit, right? But you knew that already, didn’t you? I’m actually in the middle of the baby shower right now. My entire team is here, and all their wives, girlfriends, and both of our families. I know showers are supposed to be for the mom-to-be, but I was not about to miss the gifting event of the century. This shower is just as much for me as it is for her. Similar to the gender reveal that I meticulously planned, I wanted everything to be perfect.
We had the party at the arena. I recreated my Ice Ice Baby routine, except this time, I had my pyrotechnics guy hook me up with colored flames that would shoot out of my hands for the sex of the baby. Kenni and I had no idea until the flames went off.
One pink. One blue.
Twins. I knew I had strong swimmers, and I was fucking right! And now, we get to introduce a little Kenni and a little Jordan into the world. I was honestly hoping for twin girls, just because I grew up with all women, and I am somewhat terrified to raise a boy. I was a terror of a child, so I can only imagine my own spawn combined with Kenni’s being a handful. But, regardless of their personalities, they are both going to play hockey, and both are going to learn to fly. If they want to, of course. But…I have a feeling they will. Kenni has promised me we can go flying together after the babies are born. But I won’t let her until there are not four of us sitting in the flight deck.
She’s going to take a little break from work for a while to focus on the babies. I did end up Crazy Rich Asians buying the Riders’ private airline company, so she can now do whatever the hell she wants. She won’t be flying for the Riders for a bit—we can’t both be on the road with babies. But she can take on private clients whenever she gets an itch or wants to keep up her flying requirements until she’s ready to come back.
And if she wants to go back to flying full-time? I’ll give all this up to be a stay-at-home dad.
We’ve moved into my house. She really hated how big it was, claiming it was too much house, but with twins and a full-time nanny, plus having space for our families to stay when they visit, her apartment wasn’t going to cut it. Yeah, I know. Full-time nanny sounds like Richy Rich 101. But, with my job, I can’t always be here to help her, so it’s the only option.I’ve heard how excessive it is from her a billion times; she’s convinced she can handle this on her own, but I’m not taking any chances. She’s the queen of my world, about to give birth to the prince and princess of my world, and she’s not going to be struggling when I’m away.
Shit…it’s time to open gifts, and I’m being summoned.…I’ll be right back.
“Awww.” Everyone collectively ooos and ahhs at the gift Kenni opens, tears filling her eyes again. Walt and Johnny got us onesies that say ‘I’ll have a bottle of the house white’ and ‘brewed locally with love.’
“Johnny got one of those insect machines to do crafts, and he can’t stop making things,” Walt says.
Johnny shakes his head. “For the millionth time, it’s called a Cricut. And I’m making new merch for the bar’s annivers—” he’s interrupted by his phone buzzing in his hand. “Hang on, I gotta take this.” He swipes across the screen and whispers as he walks out of the room. “Johnny’s Travel Agency, this is Johnny. How may I assist you?”
“Did hesay travel agency?” Maggie asks. “Why do I have a feeling he’s been behind some of the rooming mishaps this group has had?”
Kennedy and I share a knowing smirk, realizing he was probably the reason we were in adjoining rooms.I can’t even be mad at that meddling son of a bitch.
