by S. J. McGran
Allie continues, her little arms wrapping around my neck as she climbs up me, “But, I’m his favorite.”
Riley sticks her bottom lip out in a pout before sliding onto my other knee. I wrap my arm around her back, my lips automatically finding their way to the soft skin under her ear. “You know you’re my favorite, Kit. Always have been,” I whisper quietly so my second favorite girl can’t hear.
She leans into my touch, a peaceful smile on her face. Her hand comes up to rest on her rounded stomach, and I have the urge to growl at the sight. Riley has always been the most beautiful girl in the world to me, but pregnant? Fucking stunning.
“Seems I’m going to have an awful lot of competition when this one finally decides to show up.”
Our daughter, Charley, is due any day now. Actually, she was due about two days ago but apparently she’s quite comfortable in her mother’s belly and isn’t ready to come out just yet.
I smile up at my wife lovingly. Allie has wrapped me up so completely, I’m almost afraid to know what’s going to happen when my daughter shows up. “Well, you aren’t wrong there. But, I promise to make up for it if I ever put you second.”
“Who wants cake?” Ang announces and all of the kids scream in excitement.
Jared walks over snatching Allie off my lap, “Come on little girl.”
“Don’t tell Uncie Rico, but you’re my favorite guy daddy.” He just laughs and shakes his head. It’s not just me that little girl has wrapped around her finger.
Zhoe walks up carrying a kicking and screaming Cole, her eyes bugging out of her head. “Please take your son and give me my sweet little girl,” she begs Jared.
He squeezes Allie to his chest tightly. “No way. I’m her favorite.”
Riley lets out a little laugh before leaning into me, as we watch them all head to the table with their kids in tow. I wrap her in my arms tightly, loving the way she still fits against me perfectly.
“I love you, Kit.”
“I love you, too, Rico Jones.” She sighs against me.
A peace like I’ve never known washes over me. This is what I was living for. This is what I was fighting for. This is what I was meant to do, who I was meant to be. Sitting in the backyard with my wife, my friends, and the beautiful sounds of their kids laughing I feel content. Complete.
Not too long ago we were all single, alone. All floundering through life, trying to figure out what it is we wanted. Demons, addictions, loss, abuse—those things ruled our lives. But, now? Love and happiness and contentment are the only things surrounding us.
Our pasts have been vanquished.
We conquered our fears.
We prevailed every obstacle life threw at us.
We let love triumph.
And, it was worth every single second of it.
Author’s Note
Oh my gosh. It’s over. I can’t believe this series is really over. I can’t believe I have to say goodbye. For more than a year, these six characters have been such a huge part of my life. I lived them. Breathed them. I cried a little when it was time to say goodbye.
Truth? I never intended for there to be a bonus scene, but I just couldn’t let go. I didn’t feel the ending of Prevail did this group justice. I needed more. I needed you all to know that they truly will live happily ever after. That after everything they’ve had to go through they survived.
I hope I did them, and you, justice.
Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for reading the Triumph series. Thank you for believing in me. For loving this group of characters as much as I did… or well, do.
Be sure to check out At Anchor—a real, local band from my hometown. Their music is awesome, and some of their lyrics inspired scenes in this book. You can listen to their album for free at www.atanchor.bandcamp.com.
About the Author
One day I woke up and realized there were people living inside of me. Their words were too potent to ignore. So I started writing them. I started telling their stories. And, now I’m too addicted to stop.
When I’m not writing and talking to imaginary people I’m probably curled up on my couch with my husband, and one of our fur-babies—not both because you see my puppy and my cat aren’t quite sure if they like each other yet.
My other obsessions include reading smutty romance, the Detroit Tigers, ice cream, pizza, and craft beer.
Connect with the Author
Facebook: Facebook.com/sjmcgran or Facebook.com/groups/sjsangels
Twitter: @SjMcGran
Website: sjmcgran.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/6Yozf