“For loving all of me. Even the dark, dirty, broken parts.”
“Always,” she promised. Then she sealed her vow with a kiss.
Epilogue
Two Months Later
Essie stood in the bathroom, staring down at the little stick, not surprised to see it was positive. Even though she’d suspected, now it was two-pink-lines official.
She was pregnant with Xander’s baby.
It definitely wasn’t a shock. They’d even discussed it, saying if it happened, it happened. On some level, they both seemed to want it. They certainly had an active sex life full of passion and spontaneity. And an obvious lack of condoms.
Maybe because they’d experienced so much loss, they were ready to embrace life. A small smile touched her lips. Being able to give Xander a child might help erase more of the darkness that clung to him. It still lingered, hiding in the deepest corners of his heart, but he dealt with it now. Guilt was a tricky thing. A heaviness that didn’t just disappear overnight. But he’d come so far, and she was so proud of him.
Having Tomás around seemed to help, too. When her brother seemed reluctant to return to boarding school in Europe, Xander suggested he live with them and attend a local school.With zero hesitation and a smile on his handsome face. Essie couldn’t love him more if she tried.
Xander had embraced her little brother as family, and it made her heart so happy. She loved watching them bond. They especially enjoyed watching hockey together and always had a blast cheering on their favorite team, the Denver Deep Freeze. When fights broke out on the ice, they went wild. Xander also promised to take Tomás fly fishing in the river once the spring snowmelt settled in June, and Tomás was counting down the days.
With Xander as their sponsor, both Essie and Tomás were on their way to becoming permanent US residents. And having General Mitchell Evans in their corner didn’t hurt. He’d stepped in and covered for Xander, explaining to the CIA suits that Xander had been ordered to fake his death after being recruited for a special black ops team. No more questions were asked, and Xander Hawke had risen from the ashes like a phoenix.
The front door opened and closed, and she knew Xander was back from running errands. Pulling in a deep breath, trying to contain her excitement, Essie tossed the stick into the trash and hurried to meet the love of her life.
He’d just hung up his coat and kicked off his boots when she came around the corner.Dios mío, the man never ceased to make her stomach flutter. She took a moment to admire his broad shoulders and the way his muscles flexed as he moved.Mmm, and that perfect ass.Her head tilted, studying all the deliciousness.
And the best part? He was all hers. She felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he drawled, slowly turning around and approaching her with long, languid strides. “Did you miss me?”
“Terribly.” She went up on her toes as he dragged her against his body and kissed the spit out of her.
“Tomás is at school?” He began nuzzling her neck, his hands sliding over her ass and squeezing. He always made sure they were alone before he pounced.
“Yes, but…” She wriggled away and lightly touched the diamond cross around her neck. It was new, a gift from Xander since José had snapped the chain on her old one. “I have something to tell you.”
His deep blue gaze searched hers. “Is everything okay?”
She took his big, rough hand and placed it over her lower belly. “How would you feel about a new addition to our little family? Maybe in November?”
“Holy shit,” he breathed. A huge grin broke out on his face, and then he picked her up and spun her in a circle. He gave her another kiss then set her back on her feet. “You’re sure?”
“I took two tests, but I need to schedule a doctor’s appointment. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later.”
“Sooner is fine by me.” He pulled back, looking thoughtful. “I was going to wait and do this tonight, but now… Hell, nothing ever really goes according to plan, so…”
He dropped to one knee and her jaw dropped. Then he reached into his back pocket. “I just picked it up from getting sized.” He lifted a stunning diamond ring. A classic solitaire. “Even got it engraved.” He tilted it so she could see the words“Mi Estrella”written in a pretty cursive font on the inside of the gold band.
“Dios mío.”
“I’m not really a man who has a lot of traditions, but I’d like to start some with you.” He reached for her hand, pressed a kiss to her knuckles then slid the ring onto her finger. A perfect fit. “You changed my world, Essie. My star who guided me out of the darkness. I love you so much,mi Estrella hermosa.” He pulled in a steadying breath. “Estrella María Fuentes Barrera, will you marry me?”
“Yes.” She grasped his precious face in her hands, tears welling in her eyes. “Being your wife would make me so very happy.”
“You sure about that? I’ve been told I can be a pain in the ass.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
“If it involves that fine ass of yours, Mr. Hawke, I’m in.” She leaned down until her lips practically touched his, and whispered, “I couldn’t love you more, Xander Hawke.”
They shared another long kiss before Xander got back up, scooping her into his arms. “Brand called and wants us to come down to Old Glory. He closed the bar and said he has good news.” But instead of putting her down, he turned toward their bedroom.
