EPILOGUE
BECK
ONE YEAR LATER...
“Husband, are you in here?” I put the carrier down by the door and waddle through the cabin, my hands wrapped around my ever-growing belly. With a month to go in this pregnancy, I have cankles for days, my balance is shot, and my skin is all kinds of tight. I’ve never been so uncomfortable in my own skin or so blissful. Just over a year ago, I couldn’t have imagined having the kind of love and happiness I’ve found with Nox.
He doesn’t answer as I check our bedroom and the extension that he’s building onto the cabin to make room for our growing family, so he’s probably down in the studio with one of the bands he’s working with. Or working on his own music.
He’s been writing and composing a lot lately. And growing Casey Records’ reputation. He’s also built another cabin so that bands can come and stay for as long as they need. But it’s good, because he’s in his element. It’s like all the worry and stress and exhaustion that he carried around with him was swept away by the fire that took almost everything from him. I guess in some ways we both got a new lease on life.
I pull my phone out of the pocket of my dress and call him.
“Happy anniversary, Angel. I miss you. Can’t wait for you to get home. I want to hear all about your trip.”
I hear his smile through the phone and my heart pitter pats in response. “I just arrived. Are you down at the studio?”
“I am.” A door closes in the background. “And I have a surprise for you.”
“I have a surprise for you,” I say at the same time.
He chuckles. “I’ll be up as soon as I can. Just have to finish this recording.”
“I can’t wait,” I tell him, already striding to the back door. Catching up with my brother was great, but it’s been almost a week since I’ve seen my husband, and that’s far too long. I pick up the carrier. “I’ll see you in a minute.”
I take the path down to the orange grove, careful not to jostle the carrier too much. I’m a little nervous about the gift I bought Nox. We both miss Hollander. He was so much a part of our family, before we even knew that we were one.
The front of the studio comes into sight. My gorgeous husband stands out front with his hands thrust in his pockets while he talks to a woman in a denim skirt, cowboy boots, and a Midnight Echo band T-shirt. She laughs at something he says, and I almost drop the carrier. There’s no one else with a voice like Sophie Valentine’s. And she’s here, chatting with Nox like they have so much to catch up on. I’m about to meet her in person. Oh my God.
The moment Nox spots me his attention is fully mine. His face splits into the widest smile as he strides across the grove, Sophie following in his wake. His gaze eats me up, especially my belly. It’s full of warmth and love that wraps around me. I can never get over how lucky I am that I married this man.
He wraps his arms around me and plants a kiss on my lips. “God, I’m glad you’re home. I hated that I couldn’t go with you. Come meet Sophie. We’re going to be working together on her next album.”
Sophie. Oh my God. I’m not sure I can breathe as he introduces us. Or as she takes my hand and gushes over my huge belly. Or while he grins and tells her how excited he is about impending fatherhood. Or when he turns to me and tells me that she’s going to be using the songs he’s written. Or when she mentions that he has to sing with her for at least one of them.
“We’ve been working on something special.” He takes my hand and leads me inside. Sits me down while Sophie enters the booth. “Just for you.”
“For me?” I’m gobsmacked.
“Yeah, Angel.” He smooths my hair behind my ear and kisses me gently. “I’m going to go into the booth now. You just sit here and listen.”
I watch him as he enters the soundproofed room, picks up his guitar and steps up to one of the microphones. Sophie stands behind the other. And I listen. Boy, do I listen, while tears leak from the corners of my eyes. And yes, I’ve been so hormonal lately that it doesn’t take much to make me cry, but he’s written this song just for me. It’s our story. Our love in every word, and in every note he sings. In the way he plays. In the way he looks at me through the glass that separates us.
When the song finishes he rushes out of the booth and gets down on his knees while he wraps his arms around me. “Angel, don’t cry.”
“Can’t help it.” I cling to him. “I love it. I love you. So much.”
“Meow.”
“What was that?” Nox asks.
“Um, just somebody I picked up while I was visiting my brother.”
Nox’s smile widens as his gaze lands on the carrier. He drags it closer and peers inside, before popping the door open and pulling the kitten out of its cage. “Hello there, little buddy.”
“Meow.” The small brown tabby responds before butting its head on his jaw and snuggling against his neck.
“This is your surprise?” he asks.
“Yes.” I run my fingers over its fur. We both still miss Hollander, but maybe this kitten will help fill the hole he left. “I hope you don’t mind. He’s not Hollander. We can never replace him.”
“No, he’s not Hollander,” he agrees. “But he’s perfect. And he’s ours.”
“Yes, he is.” I smile as Nox stands and pulls me to my feet.
He wraps an arm around my waist, and we walk out of the studio together. Past the orange trees that are still standing and Hollander’s resting place before Nox asks, “So what do you think we should call him?”
The End