The Epilogue (Trinity Academy 5)

“Ahh…” Kingsley glances up at me, and I can see she’s at a total loss.

“It was a good thing until Kingsley reminded me her mother died giving birth to her. I don’t want the same thing to happen to Kingsley,” I explain.

“Oh.” The word is a mere whisper, but then Mr. Hunt’s eyes widen with understanding, and he darts up from his chair. “Tiger, no.” He closes the distance to Kingsley and takes hold of her shoulders. “Your mom had lupus, and it caused preeclampsia.”

He pulls her into an embrace, which has me stepping back so they can have the moment.

When he lets her go, he adds, “You’re healthy, Tiger. The world has also advanced a lot. I would’ve told you sooner if I knew you’d be worried.”

Kingsley manages a trembling smile through her tears. “It’s a relief.”

Mr. Hunt begins to smile. “Is congratulations in order then?”

Kingsley’s face crumbles again, and she quickly covers it with both hands, while groaning, “I don’t know.”

I place my hand on her shoulder and turn her to me. “Hey, as long as you’re healthy, we have nothing to worry about.”

She nods, but I can see she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying.

There’s a knock on the door, and then the receptionist peeks into the room. “Sorry for cutting your visit short, but the next appointment is here.”

“Give me five minutes, Georgia.” Mr. Hunt pulls Kingsley into another hug. “Come over for dinner tonight so we can talk some more.”

“Okay.”

I take Kingsley’s hand and weave our fingers together. “Sorry for bursting into your office like this,” I apologize.

Mr. Hunt gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I’m glad you did.”

When we leave the office, Kingsley’s eyes glaze over, and worry tightens her features. I let her be as I drive to my house.KingsleyIt feels like my life exploded into unrecognizable pieces around me.

How am I going to finish school? The students will gossip if I stay. I can’t study and take exams with a newborn baby.

How will Mason’s parents react?

What kind of mother will I be?

“Hunt.” Mason’s voice is soft as he places his finger under my chin, lifting my face so I’ll look at him. “Talk to me.”

He’s so calm.

“Why aren’t you freaking out right now?”

Mason takes a step closer to me and frames my face with his hands. His eyes soften until they look like melted chocolate and the corner of his mouth lifts.

“Because I’m happy.”

The three words wreak havoc with my already turbulent emotions, and my bottom lip begins to tremble as I try to hold the tears back.

Mason leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. He only pulls back enough to make eye contact with me. “The woman I love is carrying my child. The thought is mindblowing, Hunt.”

Mindblowing is the understatement of the decade.

“You’re happy, and I’m freaking out. Just shows who’s the sane one between the two of us.” I glare at him because I don’t think he’s taking this seriously.

My snapping only makes his grin widen. “Why are you freaking out?”

Rolling my eyes, I snap, “Ahh… I’m pregnant, dude!”

As calm and collected as ever, Mason says, “Tell me what you’re worried about so I can take care of it.”

“How am I going to finish my studies? I’m going to blow up until I look like a beached whale. The students are going to talk. How will I take exams with a newborn?”

Mason pulls me deeper into the room, and it’s only then I notice we’re at his house. He pulls me down onto the couch before he asks, “Have you ever cared about what the students think of you?”

I drop my eyes to my lap as I mumble, “No.”

“As for how you’ll write exams with a newborn…” He places his finger under my chin again, nudging my face up. “I’ll be here to help, and I’ll hire a nanny if we end up needing one.”

“You can’t be at the dorm every night,” I mutter.

Mason tilts his head to the side, and he gives me one hell of an intimidating look. “Hunt, do you seriously think I’m going to let you stay at the dorm?”

My left eyebrow pops into the air. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying we’re moving your shit here.”

I blink a couple of times before his words sink in, and then my mouth opens and closes like a gaping fish caught on dry land. It takes a good couple of minutes before I can manage to utter the words. “You want us to live together?”Chapter 7MasonKingsley’s shocked reaction catches me off guard.

Frowning, I ask, “Why are you so surprised? You would’ve moved in here once you finished with school.”

“We’ve never talked about us living together.”

I gesture around the room. “Why do you think I had you go house shopping with me? We chose this place together for when you finished your studies.”