Page 28 of Possessive Mechanic
Epilogue
Axel
One month later
“You got this girl,” I say, grabbing Astrid’s hand as we hike the few last steps to the peak of Diamond Head Summit Trail, on O?ahu.
“I’m running out of steam.”
“I’ve got you,” I correct, letting her know that whenever she needs help I’m here for her. That’s how we do it. A team. Forever.
Scooping her up I carry her to the summit where we look out at the amazing views of Waikiki Beach.
“This,” she says, “is paradise.”
“Only because I get to share it with you.”
Leaning in, I kiss her lips, still holding her in my arms.
“Only because you have us,” she says.
“You’re right. Thank God your dad came around to our way of seeing things.”
“That was good, but now what I’m talking about.”
“Us?” I mouth to myself, saying the word in a way that’s barely audible. “Who else?”
She looks down at her stomach and then raises her eyebrows and shrugs her shoulders. “Us,” she repeats.
“You mean?”
She nods.
I bend at the knees and prepare to launch her skyward to celebrate, but catch myself at the last second. I can’t endanger my yet-to-be-born child. My namesake. The family we will begin…together.
“Is it a boy or a girl?” I ask, eyes wide as I await her response.
“You can’t tell this early, silly,” she says, slapping my arm. “That’s not how it works.”
“But we work…together. Obviously. I always felt like our first time together was going to lead to life. I just knew it.”
“I have to admit. I tracked my schedule and if I were to guess, that would be the day.”
“Meant for each other.”
“Meant for each other,” she repeats.
We take in the view as I take in the fact that I’m going to be a dad. My chest swells with pride so much I can barely breathe.
This is what life’s all about. I spent all those years locked up, then when I got out my future was to live my dream and be a top mechanic. And I am living that dream now…but it pales in comparison to the dream I never knew, never would have expected I wanted.
A family.
And it’s all because of her. If she wasn’t in the picture I’d be absolutely content alone, because I’d know no better. But now that I have her I wonder how I ever existed without her.
A man goes through a lot in his life if he lives life to its fullest. I’ve definitely done that, but the best part is the most exciting part is still yet to come.
Being a dad, a father, a protector of my flock.
A real man, who serves his family first and foremost, above all. Because that’s where my queen will always be…in my arms, on her throne where she belongs.
Next to me and only me, because she’s mine. Forever.
“I love you,” she says.
“I love us,” I reply, looking at her belly and then into her eyes just before I place my lips on hers…where they belong. Where everything is perfect. Always.
With her.
