We boarded the plane, leaving my hometown behind with a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Ditching my horrible family felt amazing, especially now that I wasn’t running away but leaving with my real name and my husband. It was sad leaving my best friend, who I’d missed too much time with. But now that it wasn’t a secret, that I wasn’t running, I would be able to see her whenever I wanted.
Ava and Cade were going to pick us up from the airport, and then Kai was taking me to pick out a car. Something I wasn’t ecstatic about. Cars were cars. Then he would be flying back to Ohio. I would stay in Tennessee, away from my husband for three months. I knew military wife life wasn’t the easiest, but this wasn’t even because of him. It was because I was being stubborn and trying to cram a little more school in when in reality, I could just transfer my credits to a less prestigious school in Ohio. Being away from him for such a silly reason didn’t sit well.
“I don’t want to stay in Tennessee,” I stated, still looking out the window.
His fingers stopped twirling my ring, his posture going rigid. “Uh… you want to stay here?” he asked, sounding so vulnerable, so scared.
I finally glanced sideways at him “No, goofball.” He released a breath, fingers moving again while he listened. “Can I come to Ohio when my finals are done?” I asked in a small voice, my hands sweating.
His eyes shifted back and forth. “You want to move next week? Are you sure?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure I want to live with my husband. Especially when these babies come. I’m yours, Kai. I don’t want to be apart.”
“We’ll see if Ava and Cade can help you move when school is over, in case I can’t leave.” He paused, running a hand through his hair. “I picked a place. One I thought you would like and that we’ll all fit in.” Even when he thought the worst of me, when I wouldn’t talk to him at all, he was thinking of me, planning for me to be in his life.
I smiled. “Thank you. For not giving up on me.”
“Never.” He pulled me closer, kissing me on the forehead. “I fucking love you, Chloe.”
“And I love you, Kai.” Never had I felt so full, so joyful in my entire life. But he was my life now. Him and our babies. We would live life together—the good, the bad, the fun, the hard. It would be full and real and better than anything I ever could have imagined for myself.
Epilogue
Kai
Tiny Phillip squirmed in her arms, grunting and fussing, as she stood next to me. Farrah snoozed in mine, her perfect rosy cheeks shining in the rays of the setting sun, her chest rising and falling in the most relaxing way. I wanted to nap with her, but I had to listen to my best bud declare his love for my sister in front of the small crowd that only included his dad and some of our close relatives.
It ended up being in Mom and Dad’s backyard, much more casual than initially planned, with lights strung up around the ramada they put up for the occasion and flowers lining the posts and the few aisles of chairs. Just as Mia wanted it. No one seemed to mind the fussing baby. They had even planned it so we could make it on one of my days off. And even though I couldn’t be up there, since I wanted to help Chloe with our babies—anyone in my family would have gladly taken the job—I was his best man and he was mine.
“I’m gonna have to feed him,” my wife whispered in my ear just as he wailed, arching his back in her arms.
“Do you need my help?” I whispered back.
Farrah grunted, her eyes doing that freaky thing where they cracked open but she was still asleep. I stopped breathing, willing her to keep sleeping so Chloe wouldn’t stress about her while feeding Phil.
“Don’t move,” Chloe demanded, eyes wide while Philip made some snorting noises. Then she was up, heading for the house. I watched her leave, reveling in every inch of her. The way the coral dress she chose hugged her backside was amazing. Even with the giant—but fashionable—diaper bag slung over her shoulder, she was sexy as hell.
The second she was gone, Farrah’s eyes fluttered open. She made a pouty face.
“Hi, love,” I whispered.
Dad leaned over, staring down at her, while Mom blubbered next to him. He stuck a finger out for Farrah to grab. “Hey, cutie,” he muttered with an adoring smile—the effect my princess had on any unsuspecting bystander.
The “I dos” were happening. The moment they kissed and everyone cheered, Farrah yelled. I hopped up, following Mia and Pierce down the small aisle with a pissed-off baby. Chloe was right inside, sitting on the couch with the cover thing on, feeding Phillip. Mia went right to her, and Chloe exclaimed, “Congratulations, you guys,” looking like a pro mom, not at all perturbed by them standing there while she fed him.
She spotted me—or probably heard Farrah. “He’s almost done,” she assured me with a soft smile.
But Farrah heard her and wailed louder.
Mia marched over, sticking her hands out. “Gimme,” she demanded, taking my little girl, who instantly quieted when Mia bounced her and made cooing noises.
The bond they’d grown in the first few weeks of the babies’ lives was incredible. Mia had still come to stay with us for a few months, since I had long hours. Pierce even came by to visit often. She’d been there to drive Chloe to the hospital when she went into labor at thirty-three weeks. I showed up right before they did an emergency C-section, which gave me a fucking heart attack,
