By the time we’re finished, I’m exhausted. Together we curl up in our clean clothes in my bed and drift off to sleep in each other’s arms.
Epilogue
Conrad
She’s radiant. Aspen’s smile lights up the entire room. We’re at my parents’ house, having a joint baby shower for both Aspen and Aurora. It’s been four months since the fire, and I thank God every day for saving her.
A lot has happened in those four months. Hank and Sheila are now living in Nashville. With both of their daughters expecting grandbabies a week apart, they felt it was time. I’m thrilled to have them closer. I know that Aspen and Aurora are as well. It will be nice for our kids to have two sets of grandparents to spoil them.
The bakery was a complete loss. The first time I went to see it after Aspen was released from the hospital, I got sick. Tossed my cookies right there on the sidewalk. I don’t know how they got her out safely, but I made sure to make a hefty donation to the local fire and EMS. Those men and women risk their lives to save ours, and that doesn’t go unnoticed. Not by me.
Since the girls are both pregnant, and they are still dealing with insurance for the bakery, they’ve decided not to rebuild just yet. I know for a fact that Grant and I are both thrilled with this idea. I never want to clip her wings, and if they one day want to reopen, I will be their biggest cheerleader, Grant too, but until then, they’ve got a more important job, taking care of themselves and our babies.
“You getting excited?” Grant asks from beside me.
“I am. You?”
“I can’t fucking wait. I love Roan and Carter, but to know that in just a few months, we’re going to be holding our own kids—” He shakes his head in disbelief. “It’s surreal, man.”
“I love that all our kids are going to be growing up together, close in age like the five of us.”
“Well, maybe. We don’t know what Marshall has going on.” Grant laughs.
“I think he knows he’s missing out,” I confess, thinking about the conversation I had with him when Aspen was in the hospital.
“And the other thing?” Grant asks.
I pat my shorts pocket. “I’m good to go.”
“When are you going to do it?”
“See that little green bag?” I point to the gift table next to Aspen.
“Yeah.”
“Keep your eye on that one.”
“Are you going to make me look bad?” He points to the gift table next to Aurora. “That little yellow one is mine.”
“Depends. What’s in yours?”
“A gift card for a mommy spa day. What’s in yours?”
“Oh, I got her one of those too. But that little bag, that one holds the best gift.”
“What is it?”
“You’re about to find out.” When Sawyer hands Aspen the little green bag, I step forward and kneel next to her. She takes my breath away.
Aspen
“Hey, you.” Conrad kneels in front of me. “You doing all right?”
“Yes. Have you been watching? Have you seen all of these cute gifts? And the clothes, they’re so tiny.”
He places his hand on my belly. “I’ve been watching. This baby is loved, that’s for sure.” He leans in and presses a kiss to my belly.
I’ve long since stopped blushing at his public displays of affection. Much like his brothers with their wives, Conrad couldn’t care less who sees him kissing or touching me. Well, within reason.
“Open this one.” He nudges the little green bag in my lap.
Pushing aside the tissue paper, I reach into the bag and pull out some type of clothing. I swear these outfits are so small. It’s hard to believe in a few months, Conrad and I are going to be responsible for a tiny human that will fit into these clothes.
Unfolding the onesie, I hold it up so that I can read what it says. I read the words and then read them again—tears welling in my eyes.
Will you marry my daddy?
“Well, what does it say?” my sister asks from her seat next to mine. I turn it so that everyone can read it.
I drop the onesie in my lap to look at Conrad to find him holding up a small black box. “Oh,” I gasp, my hands flying over my mouth as tears threaten to fall.
“Aspen Steele. You, beautiful, are the love of my life. The mother of my child. The keeper of my soul. Would you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife?” He opens the box, and the most beautiful princess cut ring surrounded by a band of diamonds sparkles back at me.
I stare at the ring and then back to Conrad. He looks nervous, and that makes me smile. He has to know there is nothing I want more than to be his wife. To share this life that we’re building together until we are old and gray.