Epilogue

Eighteen months later…

G ennie’s heart skipped like a pebble across the loch as she surveyed the chaos of Abby’s ninth birthday party. They were lucky with the weather. Scotland had amounts of rain L.A. could only dream of. Glenwood Lodge’s garden was a riot of colour, streamers fluttering in the late April breeze like drunken butterflies. Kids shrieked and giggled, high on sugar and excitement, while adults mingled with glasses of bubbly. It was a sight that would have been unthinkable when she first set foot into this house over one and a half years ago.

Abby was a vibrant blur of giggles and glee, darting between guests with the energy of a caffeinated hummingbird.

‘Oi, birthday girl!’ Gennie called out. ‘Having a good time?’

‘The best!’ Abby bounded over, her grin brighter than the candles on her cake. She threw her arms around Gennie’s waist, squeezing tight. ‘I’m so happy you’re here. You and my other mum. I have two ‘cause I’m awesome!’

‘Oh, that you are, kiddo.’

Gennie’s gaze landed on Sophie, Abby’s biological mother, who’d flown in from Dubai. She was chatting with Jo and Crystal, who was visiting from California for a few weeks.

When their eyes met, Sophie raised her glass and smiled. A silent toast to their beautifully blended family.

‘Go on, Abster. I think I saw Gordon sneaking extra slices of cake.’

With a mock gasp of outrage, Abby scampered off.

Nathan sidled up beside Gennie, his arm snaking around her waist. ‘Quite the shindig, eh?’

She turned to face him, her fingers toying with the collar of his shirt. ‘They are like a bunch of rowdy sheep on speed.’

A grin spread across his face like butter on a hot scone. It happened far more often these days. He’d even started to write songs again. Just for the joy of music.

‘What’s the matter, Rivers? Can’t handle a few ankle-biters?’

She grinned back at him. ‘Remind me again why we thought inviting ten sugar-high nine-year-olds was a good idea?’

He chuckled. ‘Easy. Because we love our daughter.’

Our daughter.

This was the truth. It settled into Gennie’s heart like the penultimate piece of a perfect puzzle. And the last one was about to fall into place.

As the party wound down and the last guests trickled away, Gennie grabbed Nathan’s hand. ‘Come on, MacMillan. I want to get out of here.’

He quirked a brow. ‘Is that so?’

‘Sophie and Jo are going to make dinner, we have about half an hour to ourselves. Let’s go.’

She led him to her car and up the winding road to their favourite place. The viewpoint, where her swing hung from the tree. The vista stretched out before them – a patchwork quilt of rolling hills and the silver ribbons of the brooks.

Just like our family.

Her stomach fluttered with nerves and excitement, the familiar scent of heather and pine steadying her.

‘Quite the kingdom we’ve got here.’ Nathan wrapped his arms around her from behind, his voice enveloping like a cashmere scarf.

Gennie leaned back into his solid warmth. ‘Mhm. And it’s about to get bigger.’

‘What do you mean?’

She turned in his embrace, heart pounding like she was about to attempt a dangerous new stunt. Which, in a way, she was. Every molecule vibrated with happiness and terror.

‘I have to step back from the stunt school for a while, at least from the active part,’ Gennie explained. ‘I can still teach, but I won’t be able to perform.’

‘What? Is everything alright?’ Concern shadowed his face.

‘More than alright.’ She reached for his hand, guiding it to her stomach. ‘We’re pregnant, Nathan. We’re having a baby.’

His eyes widened, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling in their depths. Shock, wonder, joy, and love all danced across his face like sunbeams, before settling on pure, unadulterated awe. ‘Truly? You’re…we’re…?’

‘Yep. Knocked up. Preggo–’

Nathan let out a whoop that echoed across the hills. He swept her into his arms and spun her around, lips crashing against hers in a kiss that took her breath away and ignited her blood.

‘A baby,’ he murmured against her lips. ‘Our second child.’

‘Yeah, our second child. You happy?’

‘Happy? Happy doesn’t even…’ He set her down gently and kissed her forehead, his beard tickling her skin. ‘I’m overjoyed. I’m humbled. And I’m so fucking in love with you.’

Before she lost herself in his kiss, Gennie spared one last thought for the journey that had brought her here. From L.A.’s concrete jungle to this Scottish forest, from lonesome rider to being a part of a family overflowing with love.

Yep. Gentlestorm Rivers had landed on both feet, right on her mark. She was home at last.

– THE END –