EPILOGUE

KNOX

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My life is almost unrecognizable.

And I couldn’t be happier.

Our home is filled with many of the people we love, and Payton is looking big and round with my baby.

Not that I would ever say that to her.

But damn, she is sexy at five months pregnant.

It’s Thanksgiving and we’re hosting. It was my idea. Her parents are here, along with my father, my brothers, Bella and Blake, Jacob and Leilani, and their children.

Dad and Jerry had met before - thankfully under good circumstances. They get along great. He also adores Payton. If there is a chance to dance, you bet he is taking it with her.

Now, I love it.

“Where is Molly?” I ask, leaning down and brushing my hand over Payton’s hair.

She glances up, surprised by my question.

“She should be here any moment. She only flew back in a few days ago, so I think she is still jetlagged.”

“Should we call her?” I ask, trying to act cool.

I’m not cool. I’m nervous as hell.

“No, just relax.” She pats my chest and heads over to Bella. Watching her and my sister get along makes me stupidly happy.

Atlas hands me a whisky.

“Thanks.”

“What time are we eating? I’m starving,” he says, sipping his own golden liquid.

“Soon.” I glance at the clock.

I’m waiting for Molly.

She has to be here.

Finally, I hear the elevator ping and a bunch of muffled curses.

Thank fuck.

“Dude, are we ordering pizzas?” Blake asks as he and Jacob wander over.

I laugh. “Be fucking patient. You’re like teenage boys, for god’s sake.”

“Hungry teens. Come on. I can smell the food.” Jacob rubs his tummy.

Levis joins the party, as we all watch Molly round the corner.

“Fuck me,” Atlas mutters beside me.

I have to admit, and for the record, I love the mother of my child, but Molly looks beautiful. Her long dark hair is tucked under a woolen hat, and the deep red coat she has on does nothing to hide her tall, slim figure.

“Hello, gorgeous,” Atlas says, stepping forward and taking her coat. “Long time no see.”

I watch as she meets his gaze, her own full of cynicism. “I’m surprised you remembered who I am, Atlas Montgomery.”

Woah.

What happened between those two?

“Interesting.” Blake smirks.

We watch Atlas trail behind her, confident as fuck as he’s always been, as he reels off all the drunk and stoned things she did that night.

“Thank you very much,” Molly mutters, shooting him a look over her shoulder.

The four of us men laugh.

But my eyes remain on Payton and Molly as they greet one another and catch up. Even though they talk most days.

Then I clear my throat and get everyone’s attention.

“Thank god, are we eating?” Ward says.

“In a damn minute. Anyone would think none of you had breakfast four hours ago.” I laugh, reaching out my arm, and Payton comes to me.

She always comes to me.

And for me. God, I will never have enough of this woman. Pregnancy has made her even more eager in the bedroom and who am I to not give her every bit of pleasure she desires.

“Thank you for being here today,” I say, wrapping my arm around Payton, speaking to the room. “We are excited to be bringing this little baby into the world and expanding our ever-growing family.”

“I’m looking forward to it arriving and getting out of me too,” Payton says, rubbing her belly.

I smirk.

She loves being pregnant, but she also thinks that I think she’s fat.

I don’t.

I think she’s the most gorgeous thing in the world every second of every day. I had no idea it was possible to feel this way about someone.

Which is why I turn, drop to my knee, and ignore all the gasps and comments around me.

“I could have done this when we were alone, but texting everyone is so exhausting, so... just kidding. I wanted to share this moment with our family.” I smile as Payton slaps my arm.

I love teasing her.

“Payton Mills, my one true love. The woman I literally cannot live without. The mother of my baby. I told you that one day I would make you my wife, and I thought it would be a few years away.”

Payton flushes and squeezes my fingers when I take my hand. “Me too.”

“I don’t want to wait. We haven’t waited for anything. I want you to be my wife before our baby comes into this world. I want you to wear my ring and take my name.”

“Mean. She’ll be a pregnant bride,” Molly calls out.

“I don’t care. Ask me. Ask me.” Payton smiles, and her eyes sparkle with happiness.

“Oh, god, my little girl.” I hear her mom crying.

“Let him continue,” Jerry says.

I glance at them all and even though I know what her answer will be, I’m still nervous.

I only want to do this once.

I only want this woman.

For the rest of my life.

“Payton Mills, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” I say thickly.

She nods.

I wait.

She smiles at me.

“Say yes, damn it,” I whisper up to her.

“Yes,” she cries and throws herself at me.

Thank god I’m a large muscular man and she’s a tiny frame because I leap up and catch her five-month pregnant body and swing her around.

She said yes!

Payton’s mouth lands on mine as I lower her to the ground, still kissing her as our family breaks out into applause.

Glasses clink and they’re celebrating without us as we kiss.

I pull the ring out of my pocket and slide it onto her finger. She holds up the five-carat pink diamond and is mesmerized.

“Knox. It’s... oh, it’s just beautiful.”

I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she has no idea how much I paid. The moment I saw it, I knew it was perfect. The square gem is as rare as our love, but not nearly as beautiful as she is.

“I love you,” I rasp.

“I love you too, Knox Montgomery.”

No job in the world would ever be more important than what I nearly missed out on.

Thank goodness I fell asleep in that hallway.

“To the happy couple!” someone calls out.

We turn and face our family, then I drop my mouth to hers and whisper, “I am making love to you the moment everyone leaves. Be naked and wearing only my ring.”

“You have a deal.”

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