EPILOGUE
Anne
As it turned out, dreams really do come true. A month after Bran proposed, we were married in the backyard.
Somehow, we had compromised on the wedding. It was definitely lavish, but it was intimate too, with only close friends and family.
I didn't bother to invite my brother or father. It still pained me the way they ousted me from the family, but now I had my own family with Bran and Harper and, in a few months, this baby.
I also had good friends like Lane, and my friendships were growing as I got to know the wives of Dane, Ethan and the rest of the guests at the pool party the day that Bran proposed.
After the ceremony, Bran whisked me away to Northern California, where he rented a fantastic home near the vineyard he bought. Of course, I couldn’t sample the wine, but it was still a wonderfully romantic honeymoon.
Now married two months, our lives had settled into a blissful perfection. We spent a lot of time swimming and bowling although dealing with the bowling ball was getting harder with my growing belly.
And of course, there was a great deal of lovemaking and crème brûlée. Sometimes at the same time.
Bran was back at work, wheeling and dealing and I was spending my days on Rodeo Drive as Troy and his crew renovated the shop and I spent my days ordering display cases and supplies, and hiring staff, including a world-renowned watchmaker.
I stood at the drafting table in my studio looking over my newest designs, feeling excited about opening my business in a few months. A pair of hands slid around me and over my belly as lips pressed against my neck.
I turned around, looping my arms around Bran’s neck. "Did you bring the supplies?"
"Of course." He nodded to the table near the door of the studio where a cloth shopping bag sat. He took my hand and walked me over. Opening the bag, he pulled out juice, pickles, ice cream sandwiches, and corn chips. "These pregnancy cravings have been going into some weird places."
I dug out an ice cream sandwich and opened the corn chips, shoving some chips into the ice cream part of the sandwich. "Don't judge." I took a bite and the sweet and savory made me sigh with pleasure.
Bran stared at me in amusement. "You make that same sound when we make love. Should I be worried you're going to replace me with ice cream sandwiches and corn chips?"
"I don't think you have to worry. You have something that none of this food does."
He put his arm around me and tugged me close, grinding his dick against me. "Let me guess. My sizable cock."
I shrugged. "Well, I guess there's that too."
His brows rose and intrigue.
"This food brings me a temporary happiness, but you, Bran, you fill my life with happiness."
His eyes shone with love as he pulled me close and kissed me. "You’re the love of my life,
Anne." He put his hands on my belly again. “And you too, little one.”
I gathered up the food and went to the small kitchenette area putting the ice cream sandwiches in the freezer and the juice and pickles in the refrigerator, after grabbing a pickle of course.
"How's your day been?" Bran asked as we walked from the kitchenette into my office, which had everything I could possibly need from a desk, comfortable chair, bookcase and filing cabinets, but also a daybed for me to rest because Bran was right, growing a baby was tiring.
"Harper was by earlier to see how all the renovations were going. She's got the condo up for sale. She says she’s looking for a secluded house somewhere near the water. I asked her if she would be my hand model for the rings and bracelets and watches."
"And what did she say?" Bran put his arm around me as we sat on the daybed.
"She agreed."
He shook his head. "She never wanted to do anything with me, but you ask and she jumps at the opportunity." He shrugged. "I'm just glad that she's involved. And no doubt, with all that Erickson beauty, she's going to help you sell millions of pieces of jewelry and watches."
"I know she is. And that means I'll be able to pay you back all your investment that much sooner."
He rolled his eyes. "What's mine is yours, Anne."