by Amy Brent
Epilogue
One Year Later
Emma
When Brandt had said he had an idea for the nursery, he wasn’t kidding. I had been welcomed into his nursery as a surprise just days before our son was born, and I immediately had fallen in love with the beautiful shades of blue, the sweet pictures on the walls, and the blue and grey cloud printed linens that I had told Caroline I wanted. One year after everything had changed between Brandt and me and six months after the baby was born, I still couldn’t help staring down at him in his crib. We had named him Dailen and he had come right on time, meeting his due date with killer accuracy, which was good because I thought I was going to burst if he didn’t make an entrance. Everything had gone perfectly, meeting all our birthing goals, no extra drugs, no unnecessary techniques, and a natural birth, which was really important to me. I had kind of become a crazy pregnant woman leading up to it, reading everything I could get my hands on about natural birth. I just wanted it to be the best for him.
As I stood watching him sleep, everyone else was out in the living room. We were celebrating his six-month birthday, and everyone had come. There were family, including the girls, friends, and some coworkers of Brandt’s. They had all come over either locally or all the way from Camden to celebrate his special day with him. He was the center of attention, and by the time the cake was served, he was passed out on Brandt’s shoulder, his little mouth wide open and drool dripping down. That little boy had joined Sicily as the center of my world when he was born. I loved him more than I ever thought one human being could love another. As soon as they laid him on my chest, I knew that I was wrapped around his tiny little baby finger. Watching Brandt with a baby was a new experience for me, but he was an amazing father. He got up at night so I didn’t have to every time, he played with him constantly, and he always made sure Sicily never felt left out. They had planned daddy-daughter days while Dailen and I rested.
Sicily had become Dailen’s bodyguard and had immediately become the best big sister she could possibly be. She read all the baby books, came up with teaching lessons for him, and marked every milestone along the way. Sicily had even made a chart and pinned it on her wall showing where he should be, where he was, and where she hoped she would get him to. It seemed that she was pretty good at the whole teaching thing, especially since Dailen was her favorite person, and she claimed him whenever she had free time.
As far as work was concerned, I had just started to work again. Apparently, the guy who went to temporarily work for Greg had fallen in love with one of the girls I knew from high school and decided to accept a position there with Greg’s company and stay in Camden. Brandt was shocked but not upset, and he quickly put me in the empty position. It was the perfect job for me because it was in graphics, pretty much doing what I was doing for Greg but with internal marketing instead. I could work from home and be there for Dailen and Sicily. Everything in my life had finally fallen into place. I had the amazing boyfriend, the beautiful children, an amazing home, and a job that fit my life perfectly. I had fallen in love with my life just like I had done with my family, and I couldn’t imagine it getting any better. Brandt was my rock, my support system, and when I thought I couldn’t go any further, he was there to motivate me and struggle forward, holding my hand. Sometimes, I had to sit back and thank the big man in the sky for everything that he had helped me achieve.
Just then, as I admired my little boy, Caroline and Gillian crept quietly into the room. They both looked over my shoulder, hugging each arm tightly as they peered over at Dailen sleeping soundly in the bed. Gillian, of course, looked like she was going to cry, and Caroline smiled, kissing me on the cheek.
“You did so amazing, Momma,” she whispered.
“Thank you,” I said proudly. “How’s the party going out there?”
“That’s what we came in for,” Gillian whispered. “We need you to come back out to the party. There’s a surprise for you, and we came to collect you.”
“Okay,” I chuckled.
I took the girls by the hand, and we slowly walked out of the nursery, with my head resting on Caroline’s shoulder as we walked. We rarely ever had time together, so when we did, we were usually stuck together like glue. As we reached the edge of the hallway, I looked at the girls suspiciously as they giggled and ran ahead of me. I walked out of the hall and stopped, staring down into the living room. All the guests were all standing around in the living area, looking up at me and smiling. I turned to my left to find Brandt standing perfectly still, now dressed in his tux, the one he wore the night I met him, grasping his hands nervously together. He looked so handsome, but it was really strange, and I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on at that moment. I shook my head and continued forward, stopping a few feet from him.
“Brandt? What’s this about?” I laughed. “You look very handsome, so I’m not complaining, but it’s a bit curious, I have to admit.”
“Shhh,” he said, smiling. “I need you just to stand there and look beautiful.”
“Okay.” I laughed.
“Emma,” he said. “When I first met you, you were wearing a long black sequined gown. Your hair was pulled back slightly, and your makeup was dramatic and beautiful. I couldn’t help thinking how gorgeous you were, even standing under a giant paper dead Cupid hanging from the ceiling.”
I smiled, and everyone laughed.
“You sparked a conversation with me about drinking different body parts, not knowing that I had been secretly stalking you all night long,” he said with a chuckle. “One thing led to another and, unknowing to us, we made a beautiful little baby boy under the guise of hating Valentine’s Day. However, before I could trap you and keep you here with me, you had run off like Cinderella at the ball, only you didn’t leave a glass slipper or note or even a phone number. So, I began the search, a search that would lead me mentally to the edge of insanity and back. Physically, it would take me to a small little town called Camden, Maine, where I reunited with you and learned all about the life of my real princess.”
Everyone in the crowd oohed and awed, making me blush.
“We went through a lot, you and I, but in the end, we came out on top,” he said. “We have a beautiful family and incredible little boy, and you became the mother to my daughter that I had always dreamed of. Every day with you is an adventure, and I love you more every single day. So, I wanted to know, would make me the happiest man on this planet and say yes to becoming my wife?”
My eyes grew huge as he kneeled down and opened up a small black box with a very large diamond inside. My hands flew up to my mouth and immediately tears flooded my eyes, rolling down my cheeks. I walked forward, nodding my head and sobbing in happiness. He reached up, took my shaking hand in his, and kissed it gently. He smiled as I watched him slide the giant diamond ring onto my finger. I shook my head, lifting my hand in the air and staring at the ring. It was absolutely perfect, a bit over the top, but that was how Brandt was when it came to spoiling me rotten. He stood up and pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly. I pulled my head back as he leaned in and kissed me passionately, bending me over backward like we were ballroom dancing. He pulled me back up, and I looked deeply into his eyes, laughing happily.
“She said yes!” Sicily yelled, running up and wrapping her arms tightly around my waist.
I bent down and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her and kissing her on the cheek. I had gained a husband and a daughter all in one evening, and it was the most perfect day of my life. Sicily put her hands on my cheeks and kissed me, smiling excitedly.
“You are the best mom ever, and now you get to be it for real,” she said, making everyone laugh as they dried their tears.
“That is the real gift,” I said, squeezing her nose.
“I have another surprise for you.” Brandt reached down to help me up.
“Another one? I don’t know if I can handle another one.” I laughed.
“You’ll like this one alone, I promise
,” he said, handing me another small black box.
I opened the lid to the box and scrunched my eyebrows together. I reached inside and pulled out a set of keys, immediately recognizing them as my old house keys from Camden. I looked up at Brandt with confusion.
“I don’t understand,” I said. “I left these with the real estate agent for the new buyer a year ago.”
“I know,” he said. “She gave them to me when I signed the papers. I was the anonymous buyer on your house. I bought it so you could go there and visit with the kids anytime you wanted.”
“Are you kidding me?” I said excitedly. “You’re the one who bought my house?”
“Yep.” He chuckled. “And we had the two extra rooms renovated so you have a room for Sicily and a room for Dailen when you go. That way whenever you go home, you feel comfortable, relaxed, and you never have to feel like you’re imposing on anyone. Not that any of your friends or family would feel that way. I loved Camden, and I would love to go there with you as often as we can. We can have our New York home, and we can have our Maine home.”
“Oh, Brandt.” I held the keys to my chest. “I can’t believe you were able to keep this a secret for an entire year. You’re the guy who gave me my birthday present two weeks early because you were so excited about it.”
“I know.” He laughed. “Aren’t you proud of me?”
“Thank you so much,” I said, feeling completely overjoyed.
I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed tightly, pulling back and looking into his eyes. He smiled that charming smile at me, and I felt like I melted all over again. The man surprised me at every corner, except now, they were good surprises.
“I love you,” I said, smiling.
“And I love you.”
Brandt kissed me and then reached down and picked Sicily up, bringing her in for a family embrace. She wrapped her arms around both of our necks and squeezed. I looked up at her with a huge grin.
“And I love you, too, Sicily,” I said.
“I love you, too, Mom,” she replied, bringing tears to my eyes.
After all that time, after all the trials, I had finally found the perfect family. I had finally gotten the happily ever after I had dreamed of my whole life.
The End
Every girl deserves her very special bad boy.
Caroline deserves it too, doesn’t she?
If you loved Brandt and Emma, you are definitely going to love Caroline and Trevor.
Check out their very own super romantic and steamy story ahead.
Read on!
Caroline’s Story
Chapter 1
Caroline
“Yes,” Emma said to Brandt, covering her mouth and crying.
It was so damn sweet. My best friend, Emma, had said yes to the man of her dreams, and now she was going to get married. They had been through so much, between her getting knocked up, a bunch of drama, and her moving to New York City away from all of us in Camden, Maine. I was really happy for her. She was getting her dream life. I, on the other hand, was just happy to be in New York to see Emma’s little boy for his six-month birthday. Love was great, and it was fantastic. If you asked me about it, I would say go for it, but for me, I was satisfied enough traveling around, living my life with no attachments.
My parents had moved me to Camden right after I was born. They owned a real estate empire so big that they no longer had to run the thing. They wanted me to have a “normal” childhood, whatever that was supposed to mean. I was a wanderer, though, and when I turned eighteen and received a big hunk of my trust fund, I set off to see the world. I did it for me, but it kind of turned into a business. I had thousands of Instagram followers, paid sponsorships, and all of it came with pretty cool perks. It was my version of a dream life.
I walked over to the hors d'oeuvres and perused the table, finding the chocolate-covered strawberries. I grabbed a napkin and a glass of champagne and looked around the room. Everyone was so happy, wrapped in their little bubbles of family and warmth. Even Emma’s and my good friend, Gillian, was cuddled up to her boyfriend, dreaming about babies and marriage. I was dreaming about Hawaii and the warm surf they were having. I glanced over at the large glass windows that overlooked the city and realized there was a balcony. I scooted past the others and made my way out there. It was the end of May in New York, and it was a lot warmer there than in Maine. I smiled, shutting the door behind me and taking in the gorgeous cityscape outside of Brandt’s penthouse apartment in the middle of the city. It was the best view I had seen so far.
“Chocolate covered strawberries are my favorite,” a voice said from behind me. “I remember you.”
I turned around, not realizing there was someone else on the balcony until he’d spoken. In the chair with his feet propped up was Trevor, Brandt’s best friend, and his vice president at Cogent Technologies. I remembered him too. He had hit on me Valentine’s Day the year before. He was so handsome with his slicked-back dark hair, strong muscles, and bright green eyes. At the same time, I could clearly remember him being incredibly arrogant, which was what had made me turn him down the first time.
“It’s really beautiful out here,” he said. “It’s a good place to clear your head, you know? Think about life.”
I tilted my head at him, noticing that he seemed different this time, more real. I smiled and walked over, sitting next to him in the chair. I had nothing else going on at that moment, so I figured why not pass the time talking to an incredibly handsome man?
“I didn’t even know this was out here.” I smiled. “I would have been out here the whole time. And I remember you too. How have you been?”
“Good,” he said. “Really good. Life has been treating me well. You?”
“Now that Emma’s life is settled, I’m doing very well,” I replied with a chuckle.
“Those two definitely went through hell to get where they are,” he said. “I’m happy for them.”
“Me too,” I said, clinking my glass to his.
We sat talking about the city and Emma and Brandt for quite a while. He was nice to talk to and the champagne in my hand made him even nicer. I didn’t even realize how much time had passed until Gillian poked her head out the door.
“Hey, girl,” she said. “We’re heading out. You want us to wait for you?”
“No,” I said, looking around at the empty apartment. “I’ll be there in a bit.”
“Okay,” she said, glancing at Trevor and nodding. “Be safe.”
“Always.” I watched her go back inside and then turned back to Trevor. “It looks like it’s time to get going.”
“There’s a bar down the street. You want to have another drink?”
“Sure,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “Why not?”
We collected our things, said goodnight to Emma and Brandt, and made our way down the street to the pub. We sat at a small back table, drinking, laughing, and talking about all the places I had traveled. He was really attentive, and I was enjoying my time with him. It probably didn’t hurt that he was incredibly hot.
“That sounds amazing,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to travel like that. To really get out there and live life.”
“You should,” I said, smiling and feeling a bit tipsy. “We only have one life. I go surfing. I go hiking, climbing, camping, and whatever I else I want to do when I want to do it. I know I’m lucky, having the money I have, but I don’t let myself feel guilty about it either. When you die, are you going to want to think about the deals you made with the conglomerates that are sucking the life out of our world, or are you going to think about the sunset off of Waikiki? I’m going to think about the sunset or the way the light splashed across the monks’ faces in Indonesia during the annual mass meditation. Freedom is a beautiful thing, and I won’t waste it.”
“You are very free-spirited.” He laughed. “It makes you incredibly beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I said, blushing. “I think it would look pretty good on you, too
, if you loosened that tie a bit and messed up that perfect hair.”
“Maybe I will one day.” He chuckled. “You can teach me how.”
“That, sir, is my specialty.” I laughed, finishing my drink. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go to the lady’s room.”
“I’ll grab us another round,” he said.
“You know the way to a girl’s heart.” I laughed, walking off to the bathroom.
I stood in the bathroom in front of the sink, tousling my long, wavy blond hair and thinking about the man I was out with. It was definitely a surprise, but most of my life was made of surprises. He was so uptight, but I could see the whisper of free-spirit trying to push through. I pulled that out in people. It was one of my best gifts. I smiled at myself and walked back out, seeing him waiting for me at the table.
“No drinks?” I said with a pouty face.
“They already did last call,” he said. “But my place is three blocks up. You want to come with me there and pop open the champagne that’s in my fridge?”
“That sounds fun,” I said. “Lead the way.”
He gave me his arm, and we walked out of the bar and out onto the sidewalks. As we strolled toward his place, I leaned my head back and took in a deep breath, closing my eyes. I tripped and caught myself, laughing loudly.
“You are so different.” He chuckled. “It’s a good thing, of course.”