He relaxed then, and pulled me into his hold. “Three sounds great.”
Actually, that sounded perfect.
Epilogue
Colorado
Six weeks later
It was a glorious summer night in the desert. Maddie was cuddled up all warm and toasty in her travel crib beside me. I was stretched out on a chaise lounge, watching the skies, as Joe lay next to me. His head rested on my shoulder. It was perfection and there was no one around for miles, just a lonesome coyote.
“I think I counted ten so far,” I said just as another shooting star raced across the skies. Maddie cooed and kicked her fat little legs so hard the playpen shook. The girl starting to resemble the Michelin tire dude with all her rolls. “Make that eleven.”
“I told you that this Perseid meteor shower was going to be great. It’s one of the best of the year! I know it’s late for Maddie to be up…”
“She’s fine. Maybe she’ll sleep for like six or so hours straight and give us time to set the sheets on fire,” I replied, rolling my head to kiss his hair.
“Soon. She’ll start sleeping through the night soon.”
That would be a true blessing. I nodded, enjoying the show overhead, my sagging spirit buoyed by the man I loved and my baby girl. A few moments ticked off as several more shooting stars raced past.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Joe asked a moment later.
“Yeah, I’m good. It was the right call, for Maddie, and for us.” I pushed down the sigh that wanted to escape.
“But you loved touring,” he said, his hand coming up to brush some wild hair from my face.
I’d not gotten it cut even though training camp would open in a few weeks. I had no plans to lop it off. Joe loved it long, and the fans enjoyed my epic hair flips. The hockey fans, that was. My music fans were, sadly, never going to see me flipping hair on stage again. Or, not for at least eighteen years.
The decision had been excruciatingly hard but hockey had won out for several reasons, but the two that cinched it for me was that it was more reliable and way more family-oriented. I loved the Furballs and the rock and roll lifestyle, but I’d moved past tour buses and different lovers every night. I had Joe and Maddie and I was content. I was the father, and hopefully someday the husband, that I’d always wanted Liberty to be. I had a family.
“I love you and Maddie more. I’ll keep writing songs for the band. God knows those clowns couldn’t write a greeting card let alone a metal tune.”
“They’re going to miss you.”
“Nah, they’ll be fine. They already have Miles Crept lined up for vocals. He’s fucking awesome. Shit.” I hurried to cover Maddie’s little ears. “She’s going to have a mouth like a dockworker.”
“Probably.” He sniggered a bit, his head tipped up, his fingers playing with a strand of hair by my temple. Another streak of light zipped by. Joe wiggled a bit, just enough to get his belly pressed tightly to my side. The chaise really wasn’t made for two dudes but we were making it work. Just like everything else in our lives. “I could tell you were upset about leaving the band when you asked to come out here.”
“Mm, yeah, this place and my spirit are linked. I find peace here, and in your arms.” He kissed my chin. “You got all your classes lined up for the fall?”
“Yes, mostly. I’ll have to probably change a few the first week but overall I’m happy with my schedule. Are you sure—?”
“Yes, I am sure. I want you there in the house with me and Maddie. Natalie watching her during the day when you’re in classes will work out perfectly.”
“You’re paying her twice as much as you paid me,” he pointed out with a touch of humor.
“Well, she’s got a child to feed, and a Simon. Also, she has medical needs and she seriously pulled me out of a tight jam. If she hadn’t volunteered to sit Maddie I would have had to hire a new manny. And what if he was some sexy, science nerd space cadet who made eyes at me?”
“I’d knock him into the boards,” Joe replied with a bit of snarl. Mm, I liked it when he got all possessive.
“So see, she’s totally saving our relationship. Also, just so you know, there’s no space cadet nerd boy who could ever steal me away from you. I’m yours forever.”
He slid his fingers into my hair then twisted my head so he could taste my mouth. Maddie farted. There went that romantic moment.
“Way to kill the passion, Boo!” I chuckled as my gaze went back to the stars above.
“I hope Nat knows what she’s doing. I mean, I like Simon, but moving into his house after just a month is just—”
“You moved in with me after just a couple of months,” I gently reminded him.
“Still…”
“She’ll be fine. Simon adores her and Emma. They’ll be blissfully happy just like we are. We’ve all found our homes in someone’s loving hearts.”
“Wow, that was… beautiful. You ever think of writing songs? Oh! Look at that!” He pointed upward. “That’s an earth-grazer! Oh holy cow, those are rare to see!” We lay there watching the slow-moving colorful meteor moving horizontally across the desert sky. “Wow, that was so incredible!”
“Earth-grazer, huh? That would make an awesome name for a llama.”
His head shot up from my shoulder. “A what, now?”
“Nothing, nothing at all.” I couldn’t just give up all my rock star quirks, now could I?
“Colorado what are you planning?”
“Nothing. Just kiss me one more time then we’ll get lost in the stars again.”
THE END
Baby Makes Three
Christmas will never be the same for Ten and Jared when baby makes three.
There's not much that Tennant Rowe hasn't accomplished, and all before
