Epilogue

EPILOGUE

ALEXANDER

It took four weeks to put a ring on her finger and six weeks to move them into our home. Eight weeks to saying “I do.”

I’m not sure which Tyler is more excited about: Hank Aaron, the enormous play set in the backyard, his Reaper’s bedroom, or his favorite baseball player living down the street.

I’ve modified my usual travel this season to have more time at home with my family. My family. I like how that sounds. I’ll make a few trips, but promise I’ll never be gone more than two nights without her. I’ll take them with me when I can.

I want to solidify this family, and that includes adopting Tyler, making him mine. I’m his dad from here on out. We’ve started the paperwork to make that a reality. He’s a Decker in my heart, but I want it on paper too. Alexander, Dani, and Tyler Decker. It has a nice ring to it.

I’m ready for a new title besides boss. I’m ready for husband and dad. I want this family, and we all know I’m not good at waiting. Whe n I want something, I go for it head-on. I tried the subtle, indirect approach. While it did finally net the best result, I’m not a patient man, and when it comes to Dani and Tyler, I’ll always be direct. They’re willing to take me as I am. That’s what people who love you do.

Today, we’re at Chance’s beach house, surrounded by family and friends, celebrating our wedding. We got married this afternoon at a beautiful church in Charleston and are having a casual beach cookout for a reception. She wanted small and simple. I wanted now. I’ll give her anything she wants, but I’m glad this wedding checked both our boxes.

It’s been a perfect day, and the party’s winding down. Dani’s parents took Tyler back to the hotel, and we’ll see him next weekend when we include him in our familymoon.

“I would have never guessed you’d be the first of us to get married,” Jules says, a slight disbelief in his tone. “But I must say, no one could be happier for you than I am. Family man looks good on you.” He raises his glass in a salute and turns to lean on the railing overlooking the pool.

“It does,” Ashleigh says as she joins us on the balcony. She kisses me on the cheek and sits on the swing, leaning into me. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her in tight.

“It doesn’t mean I’m not still watching out for you,” I remind her.

“Oh, I’m aware. But Cole and I are good, you know, the forever kind of good. You get that, right?” She smiles up at me.

I think about Dani and Tyler. My son and my sunshine. They’re my forever kind of good.

“I get it.”

“You know, your journey with Dani started right here in this house at Darcy’s launch party,” Ashleigh says. “You thought that phone call was a low point. And look at you now.” She grins up at me.

She sounds like Dani. Rainbows from storm clouds. “When I think about him putting his hands on her,” I start and tense up .

“What did I tell you about that?” Dani asks. She joins us, looking absolutely stunning, practically glowing. It damn near killed me to see her walking down the aisle because I just wanted to abandon my spot at the altar and run to her. She was walking too damn slow. Not. A. Patient. Man. And her in that dress, hugging all her curves. She looked like a fucking, I mean, flocking, fairytale princess. She’s perfect. My sunshine.

She settles down on my other side, and I wrap my arm around her. My two favorite girls beside me. I think I’ve unlocked a new level of happiness. This feeling is confusing, but I’m content. I still have mixed feelings when I think of her assault, but I’m working on seeing it through her lens. Storm clouds and rainbows.

She leans in to kiss me, and I immediately relax when her lips touch mine.

“We agreed to be grateful because I met you,” I mumble. Her half-full attitude is something I’m working to accept. It’s hard, but she’s rubbing off on me. I’m very thankful to have them, but I’ll never celebrate the how. Wrapping a curl around my finger grounds me and reminds me what a lucky man I am. I’m so in love with this woman. Yep. She’s my forever kind of good.

We leave for our honeymoon tomorrow for a few married adult days in the Caribbean. If I have it my way, we’ll never leave the suite. I want to be buried inside her as much as possible. Maybe even put a baby in her. We’ve talked about it, and I’m ready. Dani’s warming to the idea. We’re both excited about practicing a lot, either way.

We’ll meet Tyler and her parents at Disney World for the weekend to celebrate being a family. I never thought I’d be the Disney World kind of guy, but I’m looking forward to watching my family enjoy themselves. She's finally letting her guard down so I can spoil them. I’m excited about all the ways I can shower them with love.

I look over at Jules as he watches the remnants of the party below us. “And that leaves one Decker solo. ”

Jules doesn’t even turn around. “Yep. But it’s not for lack of trying.” He sounds despondent.

“Maybe you need to quit dating actresses and models,” Ashleigh says.

“Hey, they’re people too,” Jules says defensively. He turns and looks back at us, leaning against the railing. “Maybe I’ll give dating a time out and focus on other things for a while.” His normally happy-go-lucky demeanor turns sullen. Is he taking my role as the grumpy sibling?

“What other things? Certainly not work?” I ask.

Julian’s business has grown, and he’s tripled his clientele in the past three years. His agency has grown so much that he personally handles less than ten clients, and I don’t think he charges commission for all of them, like Cole and Matt. I’m sure Chance and Tripp get the best agent in the country for a bargain too. Not that he’s broke. His agency is bringing in close to a billion dollars a year.

“No, not work. It practically runs itself. I’ve made sure my clients are low maintenance.”

“Hey, who are you calling low maintenance?” Cole asks as he joins us. Ash gets up, and he wraps her in his arms, giving her a kiss that’s a little steamy for my liking. She’s still my sister, after all.

“You’d better stay low maintenance,” I warn. I mean, that’s always going to be my job. Even though Cole is a solid guy who would never find himself in a scandal, tabloid stories, or stupid things young guys with lots of money find themselves in, it takes one photo out of context to blow it all up. With his talent on and off the field and my sister’s love, I have no doubt he’ll be one of the greats. Not to mention the Decker Connection behind him.

Dani giggles next to me. She always finds it funny when I switch into protector mode with Ash.

“So what other things?” Ash asks.

Jules shrugs. I quirk my eyebrow at him. It’s not like Jules to keep secrets, especially from Ashleigh .

“I don’t know. I want to spend more time on something I’m passionate about.” He clearly doesn’t want to elaborate.

“I thought actresses were your passion,” Ash teases him.

“Haha. Hilarious.” He takes a sip from his drink. “Life’s short. I want to spend more time doing things I enjoy, that’s all.”

“Is this an early mid-life crisis?” I’ve noticed Jules is spending more time alone, but I attributed it to Chance being in season and my contribution to the family drama this year. I may be protective of Ashleigh, but I worry equally for my brother.

His carefree and casual attitude is genuine, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have emotional depth. Honestly, Jules is the most sensitive and emotional of the three of us. He always puts others first, which sometimes means no one takes care of him. He’s most like our mom in that way. Maybe it’s the middle child thing?

He shakes his head at me. “I love you guys, but it’s time for you to start your honeymoon.”

Got it. Conversation over. I chuckle. “We’ll talk about this when I get back.”

“Can’t wait,” he mumbles.

I get up from the swing and extend my hand to my bride. “Shall we, Mrs. Decker?”

She takes my hand, and I pull her up and into my chest. I lean down for a chaste kiss, but as soon as my lips touch hers, I can barely control myself. I deepen the kiss, needing more of her. That happened in the church today too. Everyone cheered and clapped except the Colonel. I could hear him clear his throat over the catcalls.

“On that note,” Jules says. He claps me on the shoulder, but I don’t stop kissing my wife. “Congratulations. Love you guys.”

Dani breaks our kiss and sighs. I notice Cole and Ash left the balcony too.

“I’m sorry. You know I can’t resist your kiss.”

“What did I tell you about apologizing, Mr. Decker?” Her smile is pure love and devotion. She wraps her arms around my neck and pul ls me to her lips again, where I get lost in my sunshine.

Yeah. I can get used to this sweet life.