I was going to be a father.
A year ago, I had been facing another year of being alone. A world filled with work, silence, and regrets. Unable to feel or be involved with people, except from a distance.
Then she entered my life. Despite the ups and downs, and all the pain I put her through, she was here with me. My wife. She had changed me in every way. All for the better.
And now she had given me a gift I never even realized I longed for.
Gracie was making me a father. I would have a child of my own to watch over. To care for. To love. My child would never know fear the way I had. Loneliness or hunger. I would protect him or her with my life.
For the first time in my life, I felt gratitude. A reason to look to the future because thanks to the slumbering woman beside me, it was bright.
I pressed a kiss to her head in silent appreciation and love. She snuggled closer, and I held her tighter. She was love personified, and she was mine.
My Grace.
My saving Grace.
Epilogue
A year later - Jaxson
Katy appeared beside me, her smile wide. “She’s here.”
“Okay, great.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to be at the door?”
“No, let her see everyone, say hello, and hug them. She’ll want to hold Kylie when she’s done.”
Katy lifted an eyebrow. “In other words, you don’t want to risk the chance of someone else taking your daughter.”
I pressed a kiss to my daughter’s head, gazing down at her in rapt fascination. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Katy chuckled and I grinned. “Go to the door. She’ll be so excited to see you. Take Richard with you,” I suggested.
Shaking her head, Katy walked away, stopping to take Richard’s hand and pull him along with her.
Gracie was going to be so surprised. She thought she was coming here with Addi to meet a new client. She had no idea it was a party to celebrate her passing the bar.
When the envelope arrived last week, she had stared at it endlessly, then looked up at me, holding it out.
“I can’t,” she said.
I took it from her, opening it right away, no doubt in my mind the news it would contain. And I was right. My brilliant, astounding wife had passed.
She wept, and I held her.
“How could you think otherwise, darling?” I crooned. “You are so amazing.”
“I was just worried,” she sniffled. “I didn’t want to disappoint you or my dad or anyone.”
I lifted up her chin. “You never could. The bar is a hard thing. If you didn’t pass that time, you would have tried again. No failure.” I pressed a kiss to her mouth. “But you passed.”
And I went directly to my ace in the hole.
Jen.
He already had the winery on hold for several dates. Her parents on standby. The caterers ready. The guest list on speed dial. As soon as I knew she passed, everything went into motion, and today, the room was filled with Gracie’s family and the few people she considered friends from outside it. All to celebrate with her.
I owed that man the biggest damn bottle of champagne I could find. He would love it.
As long as it was expensive and rare.
Just like him.
The doors opened, and she walked in, talking to Addi, stopping short when she saw the group of people waiting for her, shouting congratulations. Her eyes widened, sweeping the room, and I held up Kylie, showing her we were there. Grace was lost among well-wishers, and I grinned, watching her hug and accept their felicitations.
“Your mommy is so amazing,” I cooed to Kylie. She looked up at me, blinking in the light, her eyes the perfect replica of Gracie’s. Her hair was as dark as mine, little fluffs of curls on her head, and she had my dimple in her chin. Otherwise, she was a blend of both of us—her own perfect little self.
A small fist waved in the air, and I lifted it, kissing it. “Your mommy finished her articling, wrote the bar, and gave birth to you.” I shook my head. “No easy feat any of them—but to do all three in such a short time period? Pretty damn spectacular.”
“Of course,” Richard’s amused voice stated. “She’s my daughter after all.” Then he tutted. “You’re holding my granddaughter wrong. Give her to me.”
“No.”
“You get her all the time. Give her to me,” he repeated, reaching for her.
“Nope.” I pointed to my chest with my free hand. “Dad. I trump you.”
He huffed. “Hardly. Grandpa trumps Dad.”
“Ha. You always change it up to suit you. Dad trumps Grandpa.”
Katy stepped forward, sliding Kylie from my arms.
“And Grandma trumps both of you.” She walked away, heading toward Gracie, who was slowly making her way over.
“Well, damn it, now neither of us has her,” I griped.