“For the first time, I’m proud to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Jameson Powers.”
Everyone claps and I hold up the bouquet before we even leave the church. I toss it right at Hannah and smile when she almost drops it.
Then I run out the door to the horse-drawn carriage, my husband holding my skirts and helping me up.
“Is that Casper?” I ask.
“Absolutely. He was there at the beginning. He needed to be here for this.”
I smile and kiss his lips. “You’re a big old softie.”
“Only for you, baby. I love you so damn much that I can’t help but want to make you happy for the rest of our lives.”
“Just love me. That’s all I ask.”
I cuddle into him and he whispers, “That’s the easy part.”
Epilogue Two: Jameson
“Hey, babe! Where are you?”
“In here?” she calls and I follow the sound of her voice, my dick jumping like it always does whenever she’s near.
I stand in the doorway to the kitchen and breathe in a deep breath, smiling at her furious glare. “You’re late. The kids and I had to start without you. You promised you’d be back in time to help.”
“And I am. I stopped to help someone whose car stalled on the highway. You wouldn’t want me to leave them sitting on the side of the road?”
She purses her pretty mouth and grumbles, “I suppose not. But you’re not off the hook.”
I drift over and kiss her cheek, whispering in her ear, “Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you later.”
She shivers. “One of these days, I won’t accept sex as a get out of jail free card!”
“Hopefully it’s after I’m gone.” I steal a piece of cookie and she swats me with a towel.
“Stop that. Those are for the Christmas Eve party at the shelter.”
She’s still crusading for everyone out there. Especially abused women and children. Her soft heart melts when she sees those kids but she’s still strong enough to keep going. Stong enough to fight for them with everything she’s got. Even as she’s taking care of our little brood.
Our very serious eight-year-old son smiles softly. “Hello, daddy.”
“Hello, big man.” I tousle his soft, dark hair. “You ready to go, buddy?”
“Yes, I am. Sonny is supposed to be there tonight. He wants to help too.”
I smile at him. “Sonny’s a nice kid. I’m glad you have a good friend like him.”
He nods. “Yeah, he’s pretty great. We’ve got some new games and toys that we got donated and we’re taking them for the kids tonight.”
“That sounds amazing.” I hug him, feeling my throat clog with emotion.
This kid. He’s so full of joy and happiness. Just like his mom. And he wants to help people like she does. He started a donation center at the school and he brings the donations to the shelter once a month. His warm brown eyes sparkle with her same zest for giving.
“Daddy, daddy!” The twins scream and jump on my legs. I groan when their little round bodies hit me full tilt. At four, the girls have my blue eyes and lighter hair. Chocolate brown instead of raven like Charity’s.
But they have that same energy and zeal for giving that she does.
We’ve put aside all the money from her trust to give away as scholarships for needy adults and almost adults. She’s already sent three kids to school and they’ve graduated with honors, crediting her with their achievements.
