“She’s still your daughter, Mark,” I remind him. “Just from now, she’ll be my-” but his hand is up. It’s still too raw, I can tell.
We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, I guess, but I just can’t help telling him.
“I’m gonna look after her, Mark. Today and every day after, I promise you that. And I’m not asking, I’m telling.”
Mark set his jaw without a word, and we both agree silently.
Like her old man, I’m most thankful for how things panned out, having Misty both alive and in one piece.
It’s a somber, humble vibe between Mark and me, and to be honest I don’t really know how our friendship will fare because of it. But we’re both thankful for that angel sleeping peacefully in the next room.
“Let’s just wait ‘til she wakes up, for dinner I mean,” Mark suggests finally, and I nod gently. He offers me a beer but I shake my head.
I look out from the dining room into the lounge, and my heart gives a start when I don’t see Misty, but the sounds from the bathroom set both mine and her Dad’s minds at ease.
“Now, don’t tell me you waited for me before you got started?” she says, flushed and looking like a woman I’d jump off twenty cliffs for as she curls around the door frame in another robe.
We both stand, and her Dad holds out her seat between both of us and at a glance, I can see just how special today really is, even if one of us didn’t get everything they might have wanted.
But we did. We both got Misty back, and that’s all that counts.
It’s a little awkward to start, but once I insist Mark carves, and the food starts flowing, so does the conversation.
The reasons we all came together today as friends, even if it wasn’t intended for Misty and me to become lovers.
Mark tells me more about his struggles with his back, but his successes as a self-made man of his own kind. He’s built his own securities, a few more properties that don’t include the lake house.
He quizzes me, along with wide and at times, worried eyes from Misty about my exploits in Africa. Not just in the office, but the adventures I’ve had out on safari, hunting with my favorite telescopic… camera.
“I never told you I was a budding photographer, Mark. Might have to have a slide night once my luggage all gets here and I can really bore you all with it.” I chuckle.
“You wouldn’t bore me, Zak,” Mark says with affection and I feel a lump rise in my throat.
Like maybe there is a little forgiveness today after all.
“And it wouldn’t bore me either,” Misty chimes in her hand slipping over mine, making her Dad flush red and look away.
Making me want to make a very special announcement of my own, but Misty’s squeeze on my hand is for a reason, it’s signaling me along with the patient look in her eyes, asking me to wait.
“Just a little,” she whispers in my ear once Mark clears some plates and heads to the kitchen for a refill and prepares to bring back even more food I know we have no room for by the sounds of it.
“But I-” I start, but her sweet lips on mine silence me.
“You already know the answer’s yes, Zak. Just let Dad get used to the idea in his own time,” she says calmly, but her other hand under the table gives something else a squeeze that makes me growl with pleasure, and complete happiness.
“You mean?” I ask again, needing to hear it a thousand times until I’ll be content.
“Yes, Zak. I mean… I do. The answer is always yes with you, my Thanksgiving hero,” she whispers, biting my lips with hers and rubbing me some more under the table before her Dad backs his way in from the kitchen with pumpkin pie and a dessert I never even knew he’d prepared.
It’s time for us all to give thanks, before the final course of our meal together and I listen with another lump in my throat as Mark again gives thanks for having his only daughter returned to him, safe and sound once again.
Misty gives thanks for having been saved, and for having the best, most understanding Dad in the world, which draws a dry laugh from Mark but I have to agree.
“And I give thanks,” I say, hooking Misty’s foot with mine under the table. “For great food, the best of friends, and for a happy ending in what could have been a day that ended very differently.”
We raise our glasses, and I toast my best friend, Mark.
I also toast my newest best friend and a very special lady who I vow to spoil rotten every day for the rest of her long life with me.
But I give silent thanks too, for the man upstairs not taking back one of his angels.
Not before I know she’s through weaving the magic I know lies ahead for us both.
For us, and for our future family.
For Misty, for having her back with me as well as in my arms forever, I give the ultimate thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving.
EPILOGUE
TWO MONTHS LATER
Misty
Zak got us a place, a choice of places really.
“Take your pick, Honey!” he’d beamed, showing me the portfolios, spreading them out on the counter of the hotel suite he’d had us both staying in a week after Thanksgiving.
I never minded, wherever Zak was, I was. And still am.
Dad wanted me to stay at home, with him. But after just a few days at the lake house after Thanksgiving, it was clear we really all needed our own space.
I never knew Dad had his own real estate thing either, but Zak’s…
Well, let’s just say Zak has more capital than my Dad. And he didn’t even flinch when I picked the house I wanted for us both, the biggest. He’d made sure to blackout all the prices too.
Zak just does that sometimes, doesn’t want me worrying about money.
“I knew you’d pick that one, I hoped you would anyway,” he’d smiled. “Even though they’re all ours,” he’d added as an afterthought, which made me weak in the knees.
Ours.
Every time I hear him say it, I just still can’t believe it.
And so, we moved in. I didn’t have to lift a finger, with everything we needed or wanted being delivered and moved in for us. Zak’s own stuff arrived by container, and he set up his own little space, his office.
The days have become weeks, and two months later, and still, my Dad is being a pain in the ass. Not even wanting to talk with Zak about the wedding he and I have planned.
“Not until she’s pregnant, Zak. Not until there’s proof you’ll make a commitment to her and a family…”
The amount of times I’ve heard Dad say that it’s like a broken record like he doesn’t think Zak’s capable of raising a family. Like he’s waiting for the whole thing between us to just blow over.
Like we really need his permission.
But Zak’s true to his word, he promises that there’ll be no wedding until we have the pitter-patter of tiny feet first if that’s how my Dad wants it.
Shotgun style.
“He’s just stalling,” I comfort Zak as he runs his hands through his hair after a short but loud conversation with my Dad on speaker. “He’ll come around.”
I sit on the edge of Zak’s desk, next to him as he runs his hand up my thigh, me starting to chew a nail.
Absently, I start to leaf through the sheaf of bills piled up in a tray next to me, making me gasp.
“Zak? It seems all we’re doing is spending money,” I exclaim, a pang of worry and even guilt running through me. But Zak only laughs as he glosses over the pile before tossing it back in its tray.
“Misty?” he asks, pulling me gently into his lap. “Those are just day to day expenses, nothing for you to worry about,” he informs me.
“You’ve got your cards, and plenty of cash, use them. Buy whatever you think we need or whatever you want,” he says with total confidence.
I gnaw at my lip, realizing there’ll be one purchase not on any statement. The only thing I’ve ever kept from Zak.
Something I thought was stupid, but I had to know.
“What is it, honey?” Zak asks, sensing my mood, knowing something’s always up when I come to sit on the edge of his desk.
When I want just him I only need to put both hands on the front of it and give him the look. He takes care of the rest after that, always.
And every night in our bed too.
But today is different. I came in with some news and my Dad’s railroaded things. Making me think Zak might not want me if-
“Misty?” he says again, cocking his brow with mock authority. His smoldering dark eyes always have the same effect.
There’ll never be secrets between us, never.
I take a breath and then slap it down in front of him, on his desk after tearing it from my pocket.
The white plastic point tapering back to a window with a bright blue plus sign takes a second to register for Zak.
I feel his hand gently on my belly before he asks.
“You mean…?” he finally asks, and I’m not sure again. Not sure if he’ll still want me, being all fat and pregnant, the stretch marks… the throwing up, which I’ve already tried to hide from him.
“Misty, do you mean we’re gonna be a Mom and Dad? Are we really gonna have a baby?” he asks, the look of shock turning to absolute joy as he lifts me up from his lap, holding me up in the air like I’m a child myself as he spins us both around.
I have to tell him to stop, I feel like I’m going to be sick and he sits me down in his chair, even puts my legs up on his desk as if that’s going to make a difference.
But he’s excited, he’s more than excited.
He kisses me.“I love you, Misty baby. And now we’re gonna have a baby!” he exclaims again, hitting the speed dial on his phone.
“What are you doing, Zak?” I ask, gritting my teeth, knowing exactly what he’s doing.
“I’m proposing, Misty. Formally,” he adds, a matter of fact.
I roll my eyes, wanting it to be different, but also knowing I already have the two biggest forty year old babies under my spell.
My Dad and my Zak.
“Mark? Zak. I got the pregnancy test right in front of me… it’s all blue baby… and who wants to pay for the wedding? You or me?” he asks before my Dad can even speak.
In the end, we’re all laughing, crying really. Tears of joy and Dad wanting a word with me. In private.
I switch the line and he asks me if it’s true. “Yeah, it’s true Dad. Can’t you just be happy?”
But I know why Dad didn’t want Zak to hear.
He’s crying. Bawling like the baby now that he knows I’m actually carrying.
The wedding’s on and I heave a sigh of relief.
Peace.
Finally.
“I love you Misty, I love you so much,” he says, and I settle back into Zak’s lap, leaning over so he can hear too.
“I love you all so much, and baby makes three.”
“And I love you, wife,” Zak murmurs after he hangs up, pulling my legs over his as we wonder if it’ll be a boy or a girl.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
THANKSGIVING TWO YEARS LATER
Zak
Thanksgiving dinner. I never thought we’d repeat it at the lake house. But I’m glad we are.
A family. Misty and me, Bella, and a few new additions to the tribe.
I accepted Mark’s offer of the lake house as a wedding gift, eventually. And we sort of just moved in after that.
Misty and me, and little Bella.
I fixed a few things though up, no more landslides, fencing, re-foresting of the lake area, and funding of a local ranger to make sure things were always safe for the local residents, both animals, and people.
That kinda thing.
Things so I knew our kids would be safe. So I knew I’d never have to deep dive to rescue what I love ever again.
So I knew my family would always be there waiting for me when I went into the next room.
“You’ve really changed the place, Zak, and only for the better,” Mark says truthfully as he saunters in, looking for Bella, our number one daughter.
His baby granddaughter.
He loves her and stealing her away.
Misty has to remind me with her own touch, that it’s only a few days.
I love Mark and Misty loves her Dad, but jeez. It’s a short fuse that burns when it comes to the lake house.
Sometimes.
But not today.
I’ve got two surprises for old Mark. And I know Misty can’t wait to share them either.
Kris and Kyle were born almost nine months to the day Misty was cleared after our eldest was born, my schedule, and with the work at the lake house… Mark hasn’t seen them yet.
Thanksgiving has a new meaning for us, as a family. And Misty and I want to share that with Mark as well.
Grandad. A term I know he hates because he’s the same age as me, but age is just a number when it comes to family, to love.
Right Mark?
But he’s here at Misty’s request. I’m here to have all my babies lined up with their Mommy for a very special anniversary.
It’s not where we met, but it’s where it all started. It’s why I was glad to get the house.
Keeping that same feeling alive every day just by being here. Not that Misty and I really need that.
I converted Misty’s bedroom into our own and expanded the house to make it more solid.
With plenty of room for more in the future.
It’ll always be a magical place for me, for us all. But for Misty and me especially
“Let me give you the grand tour,” I announce to Mark, wanting to show him the regrowth, the new hillside.
But his mind is so predictable.
“How about you wake up those grand babies, for old Grandpa Mark, eh?” he grins instead, stabbing my ribs and winking at Misty, who flushes with pride.
Since our relationship extended to a solid family and marriage, Mark has been a lamb.
“How about you take Bella for a while so Zak and I can go check on the twins?” Misty replies diplomatically, handing Mark Bella with care as we both watch him melt at the sight of our first, who’s still sleeping in his arms.
“I know the way,” Mark whispers, and Misty and I hold each other, watching her Dad take Bella with great care as he explores the new version of his old lake house, whispering little things to her with each step.
But it’s our house now. Our home.
“We have more than a few minutes,” I suggest, knowing Mark. Misty smiles and pinches my arm.
“We have two more babies to change and feed,” she reminds me, leaning closer. “When Dad’s having his nap though,” she promises, making me growl softly, already happy at the thought of things to come.
“They look just like you,” I tell her. I tell her every chance I get and I give thanks every chance I get whenever I see our babies.
“They look like you, silly,” Misty says, rolling her eyes as she picks up Kris, who gurgles awake. His eyes are clear blue and shining, just like his Mommy’s.
Reaching for Kyle, who feels heavier I understand how I’ve been duped by the woman I love once I smell why.
But it doesn’t matter.
“You do look like me,” I coo to him as his eyes flutter open, right before he starts to scream.
The best sound in the world. Healthy babies with strong lungs and perfect digestion to match.
Turning to grin at Misty who’s rocking Kris, I can tell she’s getting her version of the same thing.
We both shrug at each other, smiling.
“Does your Dad know where the other changing table is?” I ask, knowing these three always work on the same cycle despite the age difference.
“He’ll holler if he doesn’t,” Misty says, smiling as she lays Kris down next to Kyle while we both set about changing them and dressing them in matching onesies.
“Oh, and Misty?” I ask her, turning to see her face in the afternoon light as we both hoist a young ruffian to ea
ch of our shoulders, heading to the kitchen for bottles and more of the same.
“Yeah?” she asks with a curl of her lip and a twitch of her brow.
“I love you, more than all the stars,” I tell her, maybe for the second or third time today.
“Not as much as I love you all,” she counters, leaning forward to peck my puckered lips.
We both walk slowly down the newly finished timber floors to the kitchen.
I deliberately slow my steps to let Misty pass me by, watching her fine curves move past with Kris in her arms.
And I give thanks again, for my best friend.
My lover, my Misty.
My family. The reason for every breath I take.
I love you all.
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Thankful For Him: An Instalove Possessive Holiday Romance Page 8