“If you’re happy, we’re happy, Raleigh.”
“Thanks. Do you have my room key?” she asks, and her dad hands it to her. “We’re going to get my things. We’ll come to the city soon to get the rest of my things.”
“What about college?” Ella asks.
“I didn’t apply to any.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to be a wife and mother,” Raleigh replies.
“That’s all?”
“What do you mean that’s all?”
“How can you be fulfilled with that?”
“I hate when you do this. There is nothing wrong with staying home with your children. We had so much fun. I truly had the best example, Ma. It’s going to be rewarding.”
“When did you get so grown-up?”
“When I was lost in the woods,” she says softly. She hugs her parents and siblings again before taking my hand and leading us to the elevator.
“Are you sharing this room with anyone?”
“Nope. Just me. Why?”
“Strip,” I say, and she does so, and I quickly do the same. She drops to her knees, and before I can say anything, my dick is between her lips. I want to tell her she doesn’t have to do this but fuck it. She does. I plunge my fingers into her hair and hold on for dear life while she sucks me off.
I can’t get her to the altar fast enough.
Epilogue
Raleigh
Two Months Later
“I do,” I say excitedly. Wildly, I look around the Graceland-themed chapel at the hotel we are staying in. It’s dorky but adorable. Adorkable.
“By the power vested in me by the great state of Nevada and this here casino, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the minister who is dressed like Elvis says. We kiss, and it’s official. We’re married, with a baby on the way, only Plaid doesn’t know it yet.
I found out for sure this morning, thinking I was just late. When I saw that plus sign, I remembered every single time he fucked me. Bred me. Those are potent memories made even more powerful by the end result. I moved in with him that day and won’t ever look back. After a quick dinner in the nicest restaurant in the hotel, he takes me back to our room. It’s a charming room, but I miss our house tucked so far back in the woods.
“Are you happy?” I ask.
“Aye, of course. Are you?"
“Yes, very much so. I have some news.”
“News?” he asks, curious.
“I’m pregnant,” I say, more excited than I ever have been before.
“Thank fuck,” he growls. He moves closer to me and kisses me as he unzips the back of my dress. It pools to my feet, and I step out of it. “How did I get so lucky?” he asks, kissing my shoulder.
“I don’t know,” I murmur.
“I got you something,” he says.
“We said no gifts,” I remind him.
“Sue me,” he says, shrugging.
“Okay. I got you something too,” I say, moving over to my suitcase, and he does the same.
We exchange the boxes. I got him a matching pocket watch and compass set, engraved with his initials. I open the box he handed me. Inside is a diamond necklace that matches my wedding ring set.
“This is great,” he says, running his fingers over the engraving.
“I love mine,” I tell him. He helps me put the necklace on. His fingers linger on my neck.
“And I love you, wife.”
“I love you too, husband.” Husband. I love that I get to say that. “You’re going to be a wonderful daddy.”
“Only because you're by my side,” he says, pulling me closer to him. I run my hands over his abs. When I move up to his chest, I am surprised to see my name tattooed there.
“When did you get that?”
“Boston took me last night,” he says. We flew out here alone this morning. I didn’t want anything big or fancy, so Vegas made perfect sense to me.
“I love it, but you didn’t have to do that,” I say.
“Yes, I did.”
Then he’s on me. Making love being married is way more intense than it was two days ago.
“God, don’t stop. Please don’t stop,” I beg.
“I’ll never stop,” he says, slamming into me.
Loving a mountain man is the easiest thing I’ve ever done. When he came out of the thick trees, wielding a shotgun and an ax, I knew it. I knew I was his. He’s become my everything in such a short amount of time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue
Plaid
Twenty-Five Years Later
Being damn near sixty hasn’t slowed me down. Raleigh is still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. She makes each and every day better than the last. Over the years, we’ve had five kids, and they are all out on their own, finally. We’ve even got two grandchildren. Life couldn’t be any better.
“Are you coming to bed?” My very naked wife is waiting on the bed for me.