The Epilogue (Trinity Academy 5)

“Hey, Uncle Falcon.”

I set down the beer and wrap an arm around Jase’s waist, and as I get up, I toss him over my shoulder. I dig my phone from my back pocket and hand it to Carter before I run to the pool with a laughing Jase who’s playing drums on my back.

“Falcon! No!” Layla yells, and it has me stopping dead in my tracks a second before I would’ve jumped in. “Don’t you dare jump in with your clothes on. At least go put on your swimsuit first.”

I turn around to face her and pretend to slip as I fall backward into the water. “Oops!”Two years later.Layla“Forest, pick up your toys. I’m not asking again.” I watch as my youngest drags his feet, his shoulders hanging as if I just asked him to do the impossible. “Daddy will be home any second now, and then we’re going out.” Mentioning Falcon always gets the job done.

Forest picks up two cars, then looks at me, “Where are we going?”

“Daddy said it’s a surprise.”

I see the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, and it reminds me so much of Falcon’s grin.

“Layla?” I hear Falcon call from downstairs.

“Hurry, then come downstairs,” I say before I leave his room. Out in the hallway, I shout, “Fallon, Daddy’s home.”

Falcon smiles up at me as I take the stairs down to him. When I reach him, I wrap my arms around his neck and press a kiss to his lips. “Hey, handsome.”

His eyes linger on my face, and then he says, “Hey, my rainbow. Did you have a good day?”

I shake my head and pout.

Falcon wraps his arms around my waist. “Why not?”

“I missed you a lot.”

“Mmh… I missed you too.” The sexy grin I love so much tugs at his mouth.

I press another kiss to his lips just as Fallon and Forest come barreling down the stairs and move to the side so they can get to their dad.

Falcon nudges the kids toward the front door, saying, “Let’s get going. We can’t be late tonight.”

“Where are we going, Dad?” Forest asks as we step onto the front porch and wait for Falcon to lock the door.

“You’ll see.”FalconLayla frowns when I drive through the gates of Trinity Academy, then she glances at me. “Why here?”

I grin at her as I park the car. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

When I have my family out of the car, I walk to The Hope Diamond. They keep shooting curious gazes at me as we take the elevator up. When we reach the suite I used to share with Mason and Lake, I open the door, and gesture for Layla to go in first.

“Are you going to tell…” Layla’s words die quickly when she sees Lake and Kingsley waiting in the living room. “Hey, guys.” She gives me a puzzled look. “What’s going on?”

“I get to be your fairy godmother again,” Lake answers.

I press a kiss to Layla’s temple. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

Taking Forest and Fallon’s hands in mine, we walk back to the elevator and go to meet with Lee in her old suite.

Our friends didn’t hesitate to help me recreate the evening as an anniversary surprise for Layla.

I leave the kids with Lee so they can change into their clothes for the evening, then go to put on my suit. Once I’m ready, I make my way to the hall and stop at every table to greet my family and friends.

I constantly check the entrance and see the moment Layla comes in and her lips part with surprise. I wait for her to say hello to everyone, and when she reaches me, she shakes her head at me with a loving smile gracing her lips.

She’s wearing the same pink gown that she wore when I asked her to date me.

“You still take my breath away,” I say as I lean in to kiss her. “Happy tenth anniversary, my rainbow.”

The same piano piece starts to play, and taking her hand, I lead her to the dance floor.

“I still can’t dance,” she mutters under her breath, and it makes a wide smile spread across my face.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, I pull her against my chest, and I wait for her to lay her right hand in mine, and then I take a step forward. Layla’s breath catches, and her eyes dart up to mine. Keeping my gaze locked with hers, I whisper, “Thank you for every special moment you’ve given me and for letting me be apart of your world.”

Layla gives me a warm smile. “I promised you it would be one hell of a ride.”

“You did.” The song comes to an end, and we stop moving. “And you saved us, just like you said you would.”

Layla pushes up on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my lips. “If you don’t stop now, I’m going to ugly cry in front of everyone.”