“I have someone who is eager to see you.” Holly nudges Matty, whispering something in his ear. His head pops up from his moms’ shoulder and a smile spreads across his face when he sees me.
“Daddy!” Matty squeals and squirms himself out of Holly’s arms. She places him on the floor, and he toddles his way over. My dad helps him onto the bed and he swings his arms around my shoulders.
“Would you believe me if I told you he was fast asleep only minutes ago.”
“Well, I think I said everything I needed to. I’ll leave you three alone for now. Hopefully, we can all have dinner soon. I’m sure you realized your mom is quite the gourmet chef.” He pats his stomach and I notice he has put on a couple extra pounds in his gut.
“I have and dinner sounds good.”
“It was good to see you again, Holly. Hopefully, next time we see each other it will be on better terms.” He squeezes her shoulder.
“I hope so too, Mr. Morgan.”
He winks at her and tells me he will see me later before walking out of the room.
“So, how did it go?” Holly grins.
“You were right.” I draw a circle in the air, and she giggles. “Thank you.”
“Daddy, why you have boo-boo?” Matty points to my hands.
I take note of his pirate attire. “I had to fend off some mean scallywags who were trying to take me treasure,” I say in my best pirate voice and it makes my son giggle, which is the best sound in the world. “But I forgot me awesome sword, so I had to fight them off wit’ me bare hands.”
“Liam,” Holly says sternly as she rolls her eyes.
“What? It’s true. You two are my treasure.”
“Jesus,” she mumbles with a light chuckle and sits herself on the other side of me. “That’s pretty cheesy.”
“You liked it.” I kiss her cheek. “Isn’t that right, bud?” I shake Matty’s shoulder and the only thing to come out of him is his soft little snores.
“Did he really fall back to sleep already?” I laugh and pull him closer to my side. I don’t know how this kid knocks out so fast.
“He did.” Holly giggles and props herself so she can lay her head on my chest. “And you’re right. I liked it.”
I pull her tight to me and close my eyes, feeling a wave of calm wash over me for the first time in years. No urges or coping mechanisms are stabbing away at me; there’s just clarity. For once, things are working out and I owe it to the woman beside me. Red has changed everything. She’s my cure and also my everlasting temptation, giving me everything I have always needed.
I never did believe in destiny or the fate crap, but something did bring our two souls together.
Why else, after so long would I end up outside the Tilted Keg that night she was there, or have Jaxson hire her on as my interior designer? Why, from the moment I laid eyes on the girl in red, couldn’t I get my mind off her?
Maybe it was all coincidence, but whatever it is I finally have my reason why in this world. Them.
My girl. My son. My family.
I’m all in.
EPILOGUE
HOLLY
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
The knife slices smoothly through the green pepper I’m chopping up for a veggie plate I’m making for the small end of summer get together Liam and I are having with our friends and family. This will also be the first time Jax and River will be introducing their new arrival to everyone. Chicken wings are baking in the oven making the house smell amazing, and the counter is littered with dozens of different finger foods. I’ve been going a little overboard with all the food, but I love working in Liam’s kitchen…well, our kitchen. It’s a dream.
When Liam asked me to move in with him six months ago, there was a part of me that thought we were rushing headfirst. We had only been together for a short time, but I had no reason to say no. I wanted nothing more than to be with him, especially after the whole Landon thing.
And what was the point of putting off the inevitable?
After I moved in, our relationship only strengthened and we ended up growing closer. Liam is the person who my heart belongs to and Matty idolizes his father.
Though our story is a bit unconventional and our beginning is neither what we thought, it’s our story. It brought us to where we are now. Our only hope is that Landon remains true to his final word and never tells the truth to our son.
I talk to Maria every once in a while. We've built a long-distance friendship.
She's still my son's aunt no matter how fractured and strained Landon and Liam's relationship is—and might always be.
After Landon recovered from his injuries he entered a rehab program and has been sober since. She told me once the two are doing better emotionally, they'll talk about adoption. I do hope they find peace and a family, mainly for Maria’s sake.
"It smells good in here." Liam steps beside me and pops a green pepper into his mouth.
"That will be the wings."
"No. I think it's you." Liam's deep lustful voice hums in my ear as he pushes the strap of my sundress down my arm and kisses my exposed skin. "If everybody wasn't on their way over, I would drag you to our bedroom."
"And what?" I moan as he slides his other hand across my stomach and pushes me into his growing erection.
"I think you know."
"Tell
