by C. M. Steele
“Good, now you know I’ve been forewarned and I’m still marrying you.”
“Woman, that’s right. But you don’t have a choice, my love.”
Epilogue
A Year of Bliss
Hailey
I feel his hands slide around my waist as I stand over our son’s crib. I lean back against his chest. “How are you, my love?”
“Perfect, now that you’re back.” I’ve missed him since he left this morning. He attended my step-father’s trial. Mr. White had met his fate purely by accident. Taking off from JFK his private plane crashed just outside of Hershey, PA. His body was identified, and we were left with the knowledge that he could never come after us. He called me earlier to tell me that my step-father received sixty-five years without the possibility of parole for human trafficking and sex trafficking crimes. “I’ve missed you so much, James.”
“It’s moments like these that I regret moving out of the city,” he mutters against my ear then squeezing me tight.
“I know, but your mom has been over all day giving me a hand with the boys.”
“Did she spend the night?” he asks, turning his head to the door like my mother-in-law was going to pop in to say hi.
“You know your dad wasn’t going to let her stay without him.”
We both chuckle because he’s still crazy about her the way James is with me. “That’s for sure. He worked late with Dean on a big case after the trial.”
“I know. He messaged her like twenty times, wanting pictures of the boys.”
Our sons Michael and Jordan were born three months ago. We love our little guys and can’t wait for them to be as stubborn as James and Dean. I kiss each of their heads before letting James lead me to bed. I love the life I have. I couldn’t ask for more.
Twenty-Two Years of Bliss
James
"What are you wearing?" I bark out at my daughter who is coming down our stairs in some tiny ass shorts and a tank top. It’s not appropriate as far as I’m concerned, and I rule this house. Even I can’t say that with a straight face. After all these years, Hailey rules my existence. Without her, I’m nothing and don’t want anything.
"Clothes,” she replies with more attitude than I care for. At this age, she’s a bit on the moody side. The boys weren’t this bad, but this little missy is
"Get upstairs and change right now."
"Mom! I told you he wouldn't let me wear this."
"Lord where's your father at?" I'm fuming knowing that my wife let our daughter come down in shorts way too short. Hailey comes down the stairs stands at the foot of them with her arms crossed and her glare directed right at me. “Don't look at me that way, James. We're going to the beach. What is she supposed to wear a Mumu?”
“All of her legs are showing,” I argue pointing to her young girl legs. She’s not that young, but she’s not legal.
“Yeah, that's how shorts work, my dear. In fact, she has a swimsuit on underneath. So…the shorts are kind of irrelevant.”
“It better be a one piece,” I tell her.
She rolls her eyes at me. You’d think I’d have the advantage with only one daughter, but my wife has become her advocate in acting like a girl. Damn it, I know I’m supposed to only lose it when boys come around, but she’s my princess. “It is. Relax. Her bikini is for our indoor pool only.”
“Fine let's go.”
“Sweetheart, your daddy said you could wear them.” I feel like there's something underhanded going on between them. My daughter is sixteen years old gorgeous and an heiress. My boys are coming with but at twenty-one, I'm not worried about women hitting on them. “Pops, chillax we'll look after her.”
“Yeah, Dad, no little dick head is coming near her.”
“Thanks, boys.” They nod and walk on opposite sides of their sister. Most of our guards are limited because my family likes our privacy. Over the years, we’ve had no trouble with people trying to get in the way of our happiness. And with a promise to Hailey, I eased up on the guard duty. Then again, she doesn’t know but I still might have a problem with stalking my wife. It’s not a lot because I have to work, and well she hardly ever leaves the house alone, but I’ve got to protect what’s mine. And for all that is wonderful Hailey is mine, only mine.
We all head out to the beach together. I’m driving with my beauty beside me. At a light, I take in her perfection after all these years nothing has really changed on her. My wife has on a beautiful sundress the wraps around the waist. Every inch of her curves and flat belly are accentuated by the breezy fabric, and then a sinking feeling hits me. “What do you have under there?”
“What do you think I’ve got on?” she asks, rolling her eyes at me.
“A full body suit,” I tell her. Why did I suggest the beach? The whole car erupts in laughter. The boys think that shit is funny but when they find the one anyone's eyes on her it'll send them into a rage.
“James, what am I going to do with you? I'm an old woman already. Just because you find me sexy doesn't mean anyone else does.”
I get angry over the fact that she forgets how wonderful she is. “Baby, you're forty-one and completely sexy. Did you forget about the guy at the grocery store?”
She ponders it over and remembers the guys as old as the boys were checking her out and even asked if she was interested in going to a party with them. Even after informing them that she was married and had kids their age they still didn't back off. It wasn’t until my stalking ass came in behind them and threatened to kill them that they backed away. The threat in my words was clearer than the stone-cold look of rage on my face.
I reach out and grab her hand, tucking it in mine. “You’re just lucky that I can’t carry a gun in these shorts.”
“You sir, look like you’re packing enough heat,” she teases, reaching over to rub me in the car. The kids instantly start their calls of, “Eww, gross,” but we don’t care. Before the light turns green, I reach over and kiss the love of my life.
“You’re going to have to make it up to me later, Mrs. Black.”
“I will always crave your love, James.”
THE END