She sobs some more and I’m afraid that she hasn’t heard my vow. But then, Jolene looks up, and I repeat them. “I want you, and I want our baby,” I say hoarsely. “You’re not just someone to fool around with, and I hate that I ever made you think that was all that you are to me.” I push away her tears with my thumbs. “All I want to do is take care of you—both of you. You will never want for anything again.”
“Oh, Channing,” she closes her eyes, inhaling deeply. “Thank you. I love you. If I haven’t said that enough times, then I want to say it again: I love you, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. The baby needs its father, and I need my man.”
With that, I lean forward to kiss her forehead, a lovely cheek, and then the tip of her nose. I hover my lips an inch away from hers. “That’s all I need to hear,” I whisper. “We’ll make it work no matter what.”
Then, I seal the promise with a long, passionate kiss because I’ve finally found the woman of my dreams after years as a bachelor in New York City. I met Jolene at the Black and White Ball, and at first, we were just a passionate hook-up. But Fate delivered the curvy girl to my door once more, and this time, I seized the opportunity. Jolene Carson is my one and only, and with a baby on the way, our future is only beginning.
Epilogue
Jolene
* * *
Two years later.
A bright morning sun spills into the living room from the terrace, filling the penthouse with warm light. A smile threatens to split my face in two as I follow behind my daughter. She’s toddling around screaming at the top of her lungs. Her little booties have grippers on the bottom, so she doesn’t slip around on the marble, but Trixie’s got her mind on only one thing: finding Daddy.
“Where’s Daddy?” I ask. “Where is he?”
“Daaaa!” she calls. “Daaaaaa!”
My daughter’s brown hair is gathered into two pigtails, which bounce with gay pink bows decorating them. Not only that, but Trixie’s wearing a shimmery pink tutu dress which matches the pink decorations we put up yesterday. After all, today is our darling girl’s first birthday, and we’ve invited a bunch of people to celebrate.
But of course, Trixie doesn’t know. She’s completely engaged in hide and go seek, and as she rounds a corner, my gorgeous boyfriend hops out. Channing roars, scooping our baby into his arms and covering her face with kisses as she squeals and wiggles. I watch the two of them as my heart fills with love. Trixie’s got her father’s bright blue eyes and his wide smile, along with my chestnut hair and soft features. She’s the perfect mix of both of us.
Of course, Trixie’s name has special meaning because once upon a time, I was Trixie Dickson, a party crasher at the Black and White Ball. But all that was put away when Channing and I fell in love, and we treat it as our secret joke. Our daughter means so much to us, and has brought us untold happiness.
“I never thought this day would come,” he whispers in my ear.
“Trixie’s birthday?” I tease.
He kisses my neck fondly. “No, silly girl. This life. I was worried I’d end up unhappy, like my dad, but that hasn’t happened. You and Trix have brought me so much joy.”
I start to tear up at his sweet words, but then dab at them with my sleeve before they can fall. “Stop Channing,” I tell him ruefully. “Or you’ll make me ruin my makeup before the guests even arrive!”
“You’re beautiful,” he says sincerely. “With or without make-up, hon. You know that.”
I’m about to inform him about how much work a woman needs to put into her appearance, but the ding of the doorbell cuts me off. Trixie screams excitedly and spins around at our feet.
I look up at Channing and smile because the guests have started to arrive and it’s time to start the show. Trixie toddles to the door as my boyfriend opens it to reveal my parents. Barbara and Gordon look ecstatic to see their granddaughter, and flew in from Kansas just to attend the party. My mother lifts Trixie into a hug and my dad moves past them to shake Channing’s hand.
Then, the door swings open again, and this time it’s Laurelin. My sister-in-law is gorgeous as usual, with shimmering blonde hair and a svelte figure dressed in a tight black jumpsuit. But she’s not stuck-up, which was a huge relief to me. I was afraid that she’d think I was too low-class for Channing, but it’s the opposite. Laurie welcomed me into the family with warm arms, and confided that she’s never seen her brother so happy.