Page 55 of Lawson & Jill

Epilogue

They’d done it right. Jill wondered if she could hire Eden’s sisters to coordinate her wedding. For some reason, she’d thought that an outdoor reception wouldn’t work, but it was gorgeous. The night was warm and filled with stars. She imagined the forest animals smiling at the band’s music. Especially when it came to the slow romantic songs. She’d never danced with Law before—now that she knew he was so good at it, he was going to have to take her dancing when they got home.

She looked over the dance floor and saw just a few couples left. One of them was Eden’s maid of honor with an over-the-top handsome SEAL who worked with Asher. She was pretty sure his name was Ezio. If he was really interested, he had a high hill to climb after she’d been basically jilted at the altar.

“Honey?” Law’s breath was warm against her ear. She looked around the table. Jill realized she was still in baby euphoria, because everyone was looking at her strangely. There were the bride and groom, Mary-Louise and her sister Claire.

“What did I miss?” Jill asked to the table in general.

Eden and Ash laughed. “Law said you two wanted to make a suggestion, but he was having trouble getting your attention. I was thinking you wanted to take another spin around the dance floor.”

Jill felt herself blush. “Maybe I do, but Law’s right, we do have a proposal. This comes from all four of us. Marie-Louise, you know that we all want you to move back to America.” She saw Claire pucker up, while her soon-to-be mother-in-law sighed. “We want to be more specific. I inherited my house and it’s completely paid for. It’s big enough for the large family that Law and I want to have.”

“You do?” Marie-Louise asked with interest.

“Yes, Maman. Jill was an only child, she would love to have a houseful of children.”

“What about your work?” she asked Jill.

“I would give up the travelling part of my job and just do documentation from home. Trust me, they’d be happy with any hours I could give them. But if it came down to it, I would take a couple of years hiatus to raise my children.”

Marie-Louise gave her an approving smile.

“Maman, we’re getting married soon and I’m moving into Jill’s house. We want you to move into my house. Since my refinance the mortgage is really low, and since I’m used to paying it, I would just continue to do so.”

“Hold up there, little brother, I would want to kick in toward this as well,” Asher protested.

Marie-Louise held up her hands to stop her boys from talking.

“Boys, your father made sure I was well taken care of. I could easily take over the mortgage if I chose to move, but I’m just not sure.”

She looked over at her sister, who was shaking her head and whispering in French. So not cool.

“Maman, there is one other consideration,” Law said, a joyful smile on his face.

“Yes?”

“We would love your help when the baby comes.”

Her eyes got wide.

“En bébé?”

“Oui,” Law answered in the affirmative.

“When?”

“Seven and a half months.” Law cupped Jill’s cheek and gave her a tender kiss. It made her ache, knowing this man loved her. That this man was the father of her baby.

“I think they’re showing us how the baby was started,” Eden whispered loudly.

Jill and Law broke apart, laughing.

“Marie-Louise, it would mean the world to us if you would consider living close to us. Our child needs their grandmother.” Jill prayed her words would resonate.

This time, the woman didn’t look at her sister. Instead, she looked at Lawson, then at Asher.

“I miss my boys, so much. And a bébé.” A tear dripped down her cheek. She pushed up from the table and came around to Eden. She kissed her on both cheeks. Then she moved to Jill. “And I now have two beautiful daughters.” She kissed her on both cheeks as well.

“My boys have done well. I would love to move back to America.”

Law grabbed Jill’s hand under the table as his mother went back to her seat.

Asher stood up and lifted his glass.

“To the women who bless our lives, I am humbled by their love. And to my brother Law, a man I admire and look up to.”

Jill saw the look of love that passed between the two brothers and was blown away. Law stood up and cleared his throat. He raised his glass.

“To the children who will bless the four of us in the years to come, may they find safe harbor and know nothing but love.”

Jill stood up and raised her glass of sparkling water. “I love being part of this family, and I know they will grow up loved and cared for.” She couldn’t stop her tears of happiness. After everyone took a sip. Law took her glass and set it down, then he drew her into his arms. He kissed her forehead, then looked deep into her eyes and whispered words that melted her heart.

“You are the meaning of love, Jill. With you at the helm, our family is destined to live happily ever after.”

The silly man had it so wrong. He’s the guiding star in my sky, he shines down and creates all the love in my world. I’m the luckiest woman alive.

THE END