Epilogue

EPILOGUE

GRIFFIN

“ I didn’t think they’d ever go to sleep,” Destiny whispers as she hands me a mug of hot cocoa. I take it from her and open my arm, tucking my wife into my side as we survey the postcard-worthy scene in front of us.

All three of our girls are snuggled up together under the tree with matching pajamas and pigtails. They’re each two years apart, with our youngest at just four years old. The soft white light from the decorated tree highlights their round cheeks, making me smile.

“Our little sugar plum fairies had to rest their wings at some point,” I tell her. She hums and nods before sipping her cocoa. “Now that all the official Christmas Eve activities are over, is there anything my wife would like to do?”

I nuzzle into the side of her neck, scraping my beard across her sensitive flesh. She tilts her head back, giving me more access. I scrape my teeth along her pulse point then kiss away the sting. Right before diving in for a real kiss, we're rudely interrupted.

“I have the stockings ready for– oh. Sorry, honey,” my mother says.

“No, you’re not,” I deadpan. My mother laughs and winks at me while Destiny buries her head in my chest. She’s still cute and shy about PDA, even around my mother, who thinks it’s adorable.

“Either way, the stockings are ready. I’ll leave you to it… whatever it is.” She wags her eyebrows suggestively, making Destiny blush.

“Ma…”

“Alright, alright. I’ll be in the guest room with Sara. Grandma is coming tomorrow morning, don’t forget.”

“Like any of you would let me,” I tease. My mom heads upstairs and I tighten my hold on Destiny.

I’ve had the privilege of watching this incredible woman grow into a more confident, stronger version of herself. She’s still her sweet, reserved self, but my wife knows her worth. She knows how loved she is and she’s passed that self-love and care on to our daughters. I couldn’t be prouder of the life we’ve built together.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks.

“You,” I answer honestly. “We’re coming up on ten years of marriage.”

“As of tomorrow,” she confirms. “Remember Grandma Roxy’s face when she asked if I wanted a spring or summer wedding and I told her I was hoping for something closer to Christmas?”

I smile and press a kiss to her temple. “I sure do. She thought you were pranking her until you showed her your secret Pinterest board.”

We both laugh, then sway together, watching the flames dance in the fireplace while sipping our hot chocolate, not unlike that first day I spent with Destiny. We’ve both grown so much since that encounter, yet the truth of our love and connection has always remained the same.

“I love you more now than I did on our wedding day,” she whispers.

“Sweetheart,” I murmur, wrapping my arms around her and turning her toward me. “I love you more with every breath, every beat of my heart. You fill my life with so much joy and warmth. You and our girls.”

Her lips cover mine in a kiss that lasts forever and yet is somehow over too soon. “Merry Christmas,” she says.

“Happy anniversary,” I reply. We stay wrapped up in each other, swaying slightly in the glow of the fire and Christmas lights. I don’t know how, but tomorrow I’ll love my family even more.

THE END

For more steamy holiday romances, check out Auctioned to the Biker and The Naughty List !