Ashton Scott

“I’m gonna need that butt plug back.”

I can do all the things he asked me to in his proposal. I can challenge him, and push him, and raise children with him, and chase our passions with him, and grow old with him, because loving him is the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life. He thinks I changed everything for him and opened up his world. What he doesn’t know is that he gave me the world. And I’m going to hold tightly to him forever.

Epilogue

Ashton - 8 Years Later

“Daddy,” Dana says, wrapping herself around my leg, “Mummy said you need to help me get dressed for the party because we’re late now.”

I reach down and pull my daughter into my arms. Her red hair shimmers in the afternoon sun that streams in through the window of our Hawaiian home. She and I spent far too long outside this morning, and when we finally came inside, Lorelei gave me the look that tells me I’ll be the death of her. On a normal day, she wouldn’t have cared how long Dana and I stayed out swimming and playing on the beach, but today she had things she wanted me to do.

Touching her nose, I smile. “Have you chosen your dress for today, princess?”

She grins and nods. “Yes, but Mummy said I can’t wear it.”

I force down a chuckle. Of course Dana has selected something Lorelei said no to. My daughter is as stubborn as my wife. And while I often go to bat for Dana, there’s no way in hell I’m going against what her mother has said about this dress. Not when Lorelei’s hormones are all over the place after the birth of our third child less than three months ago. My balls are worth more to me than that.

“How about we choose another dress together?”

Her little face scrunches into a frown. “No! I wanna wear the purple dress!”

I walk us from my bedroom to hers and deposit her on the floor. “You’ve hardly worn the blue one I bought you. I’d really like it if you picked that dress.”

She stares up at me while I search for it, her big green eyes blinking while she tries to decide. Finally, she says, “Okay,” but it’s drawn out like she’s not quite convinced.

I pull the dress from the closet and lay it on the pink Barbie blanket that covers her bed. The blanket Alessandra bought when she also bought her a million other Barbie products. Spoiled doesn’t even cover the way my sister loves my children.

Sitting, I motion for her to come to me. “I’ll help you get dressed, and then we might have to find Auntie Aly to do your hair.”

Her eyes light up. “Yes!”

Dana is a fidgety four year old, so dressing her takes a lot longer than it should, but I make it a point to remain patient with her always. I will never be my father and rush my children or push them away.

I’ve only just managed to do up the last button on her dress when she starts jumping up and down, a look of pure joy on her face. Following her gaze, I find Alessandra standing in the doorway, a huge smile on her face. The joy in her eyes matches that in Dana’s. These two share a special bond.

Entering the room, Aly spreads her arms for Dana to run into, and lifts her up. “Hello my beautiful girl. I see Daddy helped you choose a gorgeous dress.” She eyes me and adds, “And it’s one I know Mummy will love.”

Dana’s little arms fling around Alessandra’s neck. “Daddy said you will do my hair. I want a braid.”

“Do we have any magic words today?” Aly asks.

Dana nods. “Please!”

“Okay, how about you find your brush and hair tie, and I’ll do a braid. And Daddy can go and help Mummy with Autumn.”

“Are you good here?” I ask.

“Yes, you go help your wife.” As I head towards the door, she calls out, “Oh, and if you see my darling husband, please tell him it wasn’t me who put that dent in our rental car while I was out today. I found it in the carpark like that.”

I frown. “Why do you want me to tell him?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” At my puzzled expression, she adds, “You know he thinks I drive around all day trying to find cars to crash into. Well, this time it wasn’t my fault, and if that news comes from you, I’ve got half a chance of him listening.”

I shake my head. My sister never fails to amuse me. “He’s hardly going to pay attention to anything I have to say about it.”

She turns Dana around and brushes her hair while muttering, “Honestly, you men. Just trust me. I know my husband.”

“I know your husband, Aly, and I also know you. And I think we all know you’re just trying to avoid having to tell him about the dent.”