by Kali Brixton
“That a threat?”
She grabbed my face and brought it close to hers, peering into my soul. “It’s a promise.”
Epilogue
Charlotte
3 Months Later
Who knew a year ago that this would be my reality? The three months since I had become Mrs. Deacon Devereaux have been nothing short of amazing. I find it hard not to have a permanent smile plastered on my face. The biggest reason for this smile today? Well…
Wrapped up in my own thoughts, I didn’t hear Deacon pull into the driveway. The pup-like baying of Bo and Luke and our sweet Jesse’s affirmative growl gave me a quick heads-up. I swiftly righted a few things and closed the oven door before he came through the door, a huge smile painting his handsome face, his new work attire still sharp and drool-worthy.
“What’s that grin about, Mr. Cheshire?”
He held up a set of keys, and it took my mind a moment to realize those weren’t his regular set of house keys. “Aren’t you going to kiss your husband?”
I giggled and planted a chaste kiss on his scruffy cheek.
His brow furrowed in semi-disappointment, a pink-lipped pout appearing. “That’s all I get?”
“For now,” I said slyly, turning to walk back to the sink. I hadn’t taken a full step when I was suddenly spun around into Deacon’s arms, his firm body pressed against mine, his full, demanding lips against mine. He kissed me like a soldier, finally returning home after a long and tedious war. But, then again, hadn’t we already survived one or two?
His large hands roamed over my numerous curves, his strong fingers gripping into them, kneading them as they meandered down my body. I put my hands over his and stopped his “search-and-seizure” maneuvers before he really got going. I think that police uniform was starting to go to his head. “Uh-uh,” I teased as I playfully swatted his hands. “Dinner first, then dessert.” These words met him with a coy wink, and all I could do was laugh at his deep sigh.
He shook his head and snickered, “You’re killin’ me, woman.” A light pat to my behind let me know that I’d have some making up to do tonight, which I would, of course, happily oblige. To be loved and openly wanted by this man was not just a dream come true, it was the dream of all dreams come true.
“So are you, secret keeper,” I quipped while picking the steel blade up and went back to cutting veggies. “Now, spill it. I can see you’ve got something to tell me.”
“Well, you remember me telling you that I had heard Mrs. Beaumont’s son was in town for the reading of the will?”
“Yes.” My heart sank. Supposedly, Carrington Beaumont was in talks with a local developer to sell the property to them. It was like another piece of me was being chipped away. There’s just no effort to preserving memories anymore. I had foolishly hoped he would have reconsidered, but obviously, the almighty dollar had the final say.
Deacon’s soot-black lashes batted as he stared at me, trying to read my suddenly saddened expression. He had a funny look on his face, one that I could not fully decipher because I was too busy trying to hide the disappointment that was evidently broadcasting across on mine.
“Seems the owner had a soft spot for a pretty little blonde and a stray she took in one day.”
“I don’t understand…”
“It’s not going to happen.”
Relief washed over me but was quickly replaced with perplexity. “Why?”
“It wasn’t his to sell.” He handed me a folded-up piece of paper. “Read it for yourself.” A mischievous grin seemed to ghost across his face but was gone as quickly as it came. Curious, I laid down the knife, wiped my hands with my lemon-yellow kitchen towel, and began to pour over Elsie’s final wishes. I read and read, sifting through all the things she had listed her note to Deacon.
My dearest Deacon,
I’m so happy that you’ve returned home to us. Your presence was sorely missed, especially by a certain someone, even though she’ll never admit it.
I smiled so wide, I thought my face would crack. She was right.
I have enjoyed our correspondence over the last two years immensely, every letter a reminder that I’ve made the right decision by entrusting you to the most precious possessions I’ve acquired over the years. There are two things I wish to bequeath to you because I know you’ll do the right by them, the first being this old house.
Although it’s gathered some years on it, it still has a lot to give. However, it needs a fresh breath of air, so I want you to give it the life it needs. This house belongs to you if you so choose, but I want you to share it with Charlotte.
I’ve never seen a pair more right for each other, and I don’t know what you’ve got to do but fight for it. Fight for her. My beautiful girl is worth it, as you already know. Make this house your home and fill it with your love. Let your children’s cries of joy paint the walls with memories. Honor my wishes by being the man she deserves and letting her love you the way she’s wanted to for so long.
The second possession is the dance studio I own downtown, the one that’s a home away from home for my sweet Charlotte. This one is a gift to her, but I’m entrusting you to give her the deed when she’s ready. She has her degree, but her heart is there among the wooden planks and mirrored walls. When the time comes, and she’s no longer needed by the family business, help her make it her own. It’s where she belongs—where she’s always belonged. Help remind her it’s okay to be a little selfish sometimes and to chase after something she wants, not something she’s obligated to do.
One of the greatest sorrows about my no longer being here is that I won’t get to love on my girl. So, love my girl for me when I’m gone. Be a patient ear and a sturdy shoulder. Be all the things she needs but is too selfless to ask for from anyone. Let her do the same for you.
With all my love, sugar.
Elsie
Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I absorbed all the beautiful words Elsie had left behind for Deacon and me. I was in absolute awe. We were going to live in the old Beaumont house, a place where she and I shared so many beautiful memories already and a place to create many more new ones with the love of my life. I would much rather have Elsie and our visits back, but this was like getting to keep her memory alive, a part of her to live on forever.
I gaped at him in disbelief and cocked my head to the side. “Is this for real?”
“For real, Sunshine,” He jingled the keys in front of me that looked unfamiliar earlier.
I jumped into his arms and tightly squeezed my arms around his thickly muscled neck. “I can’t believe this!”
A soft kiss at my temple sent a flood of warmth over me. “Good things should always happen to good people. And you deserve only the best of things, beautiful.”
What an exciting turn to the day! Of course, the evening was still young... “D, could you get that pan out of the oven for me, please?”
I could hear him pull the wall oven door down to see what awaited him, but when I heard him mutter What the…?, I knew he had seen it. Calmly, I turned around, preparing myself for all the possible reactions from him, but I wasn’t banking on the glassy look in his eyes.
He stood there, staring at the two pictures for the longest time. Clear blue eyes wide and black lashes wet with impending tears, he finally looked up at me. My mischievous smile grew with the knowledge that this was a genuinely surprised Deacon. Who has the Cheshire grin now?
“Is this real?” he asked both excitedly and in disbelief, like a little boy who had been told Santa Claus was coming to see him personally.
A cocked eyebrow and twang in my accent let him know Sassy Charlotte had come out to play. “What do you think, handsome?”
He cautiously and calmly answered, “I think my wife is going to have my child.”
“Then, you thought wrong.”
The confusion distorted his beautiful face as he looked between the picture and me. He looked deflated, defeated even. “I don’t understand…”
“You
r wife is going to have your children,” I beamed, raising two wiggling fingers, proud of my trickery. He stared at me intensely. Looks like today really was a red-letter day for the Devereaux clan.
“Twins?”
“Twins.”
He let out something between a growl and a wail of excitement before closing the short distance between us. As he picked me up and twirled me in the air, he peppered my face with sweet kisses and showered me with “I love you”s and a million questions.
“When did you find out?” Kiss. “How far along are you?” Kiss. “How do you feel? Boys or girls? Do you need some pickles with ice cream?” Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. An ecstatic child getting to meet Santa Claus for the first time couldn’t have had a more perfect and pure reaction.
“Whoa! Slow down there, cowboy!” I laughed through the dizziness as he settled me back on my feet. My head swam with the movement, but mostly from the kisses and the enthusiastic reception from him. His manly scent filled my nostrils and set my body ablaze. I took a cooling breath to quickly gather my thoughts. “There will be plenty of time for the Q&A session later, handsome. I have another appointment tomorrow at 10am. We can go together—if you’d like?”
“Hell…” A cocked eyebrow had him clearing his throat. “I mean, uh, heck yeah! What do you think?” A slight pause entered his speech. “When are we going to tell your family?”
“I want to wait a little while longer to make sure everything’s okay with the babies.”
“I thought we said no more secrets?”
“How about one for only us? Just this once?”
“Okay…but how much longer?” His eyes gleamed with an enthusiasm I had never seen before in him. Then, the questions train started rolling again. “Should you tell them, or should we tell them together? Your dad’s probably going to hate me. I pretty sure he wanted to bury me when we left for our wedding night. These will be his grandchildren, though, so maybe he’ll like me again when they’re born…”
I giggled at him as he trailed off into nonsensical chatter. To see Deacon so thrilled about something that would have previously petrified him had to be the equivalent of winning a $1 billion lottery, finding out the McRib was back and getting kissed by Jason Momoa, all at the same time. I don’t know how Deacon would like JM’s kisses, but I wouldn’t be opposed to them, although I suspected my handsome husband wouldn’t be too thrilled with that.
My McMomoa lottery fantasy was short-lived when he bent over to kiss me again, long and passionate this time. I could never get enough of this man’s perfect lips. He broke the kiss and buried his head in the nape of my neck, breathing me in and letting this surreal moment wash over him. I ran my fingers through his thick mane of raven locks, and my heart fluttered when I heard him softly sigh the word twins.
We were going to be parents. We would get to raise our family in Elsie’s house. This day couldn’t possibly get any better.
I kissed his forehead and started to pull away to get back to prepping dinner. That was until my husband got another idea and scooped me up into his arms bridal style, heading through the kitchen and towards our bedroom. Long strides told me he was in a hurry to get there.
“Wait! What about dinner?” I laughed, taking in his determined expression.
“Life’s short. I’m having my dessert first,” he said slyly with that wink that always made me melt like butter in a hot skillet.
Okay, maybe today could get better.
Acknowledgments
A Note of Appreciation
My 1st book ever is really out there in the world?! Someone, please pinch me! *Ouch* Not there… ;)
Thank you so much for being a part of Deacon and Charlotte’s epic journey (#TeamDarlotte! Or #TeamCheacon, if you prefer!). Before I give you the rest of the goods, I have several people that I need to thank for their generous awesomeness throughout this process.
To the other half of my own love story,
We have been through so much in our eleven years of marriage: job loss, breast cancer, loss of fertility, depression, and all the other pebbles and boulders life has thrown in our path. But one thing remains the same: you are the greatest blessing in my life, and I am so incredibly lucky to be married to my very best friend. Thank you for your eternal patience and understanding that writing is a process, not a checklist—requiring time, attention, and a few curse words here and there. A million flowery words sometimes cannot adequately say the simplest of truths, which is:
Come Hell or high water, I will love you always.
To my IG Romance Loop Fam,
Thank you for every single time you’ve made me laugh and cry over the past few months AND for tolerating my infinite voice messages. (PS I love hearing your all’s sweet VMs because they’re like little presents to unwrap in my inbox!) There are too many of you all to name individually but thank you for being my tribe and letting me know that I have a place in this world and a people with whom I belong. No matter which corner of the world you live in, you’ll always have a place in my heart.
To my PA Crystal,
Thank you for putting up with the crazy and crappy Internet issues that make up my life. You have been such a tremendous help the past few weeks, and I’m so happy Lexxi James sent me your name. Thank you for always being on your A-game and for being the taskmaster I needed. I adore you and your fancy color-coding. ;)
To my ARC readers and bookstagram babes,
Thank you all for bearing with the issues this book experienced. I am immensely grateful that you all took time out of your busy schedule to love on Deacon and Charlotte, whether in word or graphic form. As a girl who has written her share of book blog entries, I know the sacrifice you all have made on my behalf, and I will forever be thankful to have had you all along for the maiden voyage. I hope D&C were worth the wait!
To the authors who chose me to love on their book babies as an unknown reviewer,
Thank you for letting me love on your works and being an inspiration to me. Your examples of success and words of encouragement kept me going when my dream tank was running on empty.
To my sweet Shanna,
Thank you for helping me format this book and making this all so real. I’ve enjoyed all our convos with Nicole and Cara, plotting the next world that we all get to exist in together! Can’t wait until SnS is out there for everyone to devour… ;)
To the fabulous person who reading this right now:
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking your time and spending your money on my first book baby. I know you could have done anything else in the world with those precious resources, but the fact that you deemed my book a worthy investment? I am truly, truly humbled.
Although this is a standalone novel, there are plenty of stories left to tell in this universe—stories that I hope you will return to again and again.
If you enjoyed reading Deacon and Charlotte’s story, slide on over to http://kalibrixton.com and sign up for my newsletter to get two bonus chapters, detailing the wedding itself and an extended epilogue you don’t want to miss.
Don’t you just love a good tease? ;)
Also, if you wouldn’t care to take a few moments of your time and leave me an honest review on Amazon, even if it’s just a couple of sentences, I would be so appreciative. Reviews help us authors get our works out there and give us fuel on which we run our writing dreams. I hope I’ll get to chat with you again at the end of another book soon!
About the Author
Want to stay in touch with Kali?
You can find her at the following social media haunts, boys and ghouls:
http://kalibrixton.com
http://facebook.com/groups/kalismagicalmenagerie
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