Epilogue

Christmas

"And this one's for you, Charli!" Layne beams, passing Charlize a huge present so big she can barely lift it.

"What the hell is that?" I say, taking it out of her arms, placing it on the table in front of where Charlize sits on the couch.

Layne gives me a withering look. "I can't tell her before she opens it, doofus. That would ruin the surprise."

I roll my eyes.

My sister, Charlize, and Mum and Dad are all wearing matching onesies. It's like when Charlize came into the family, they adopted her without a care in the world that she was my ex-stepdaughter. My parents could see how in love we were and they gave us their blessing. Since Dad and I refuse to wear onesies, Charlize organised ‘manly' pyjamas. Granted, they are matching and in dark blue, with little dancing Santas all over them.

Anything to make her happy. My father may be a very well respected businessman and ex-CEO of our company, but he'll do anything to keep that smile on my mother's face.

Christmas-time has always been a big deal in my family's house. We also have two Christmas trees. Every year, my sister and mum go and buy a new tree; even though they have last year's perfectly good tree in the attic — several of them by now. That tree goes in the entryway so visitors can admire it when they visit. The natural tree goes in the living room where all the presents sit underneath. The girls always go overboard. I told Charlize there is nothing she can buy me this year that will exceed having her in my life. I have everything I need. But of course, she got roped into going shopping with Layne and Mum, and now she's more excited about Christmas than ever.

"Thank you, Layne!" Charlize rubs her hands together as she starts to rip the paper.

"You don't know what it is yet," I remind her. "You may not be thanking her so quickly if it's some shit appliance."

"Hey! I don't buy shit presents!"

"Language!" Mum chastises, as if she never swears.

Charlize laughs, ignoring us, as she rips the paper off to reveal a top of the range air fryer. "I've been wanting one of these for ages!" She squeals, standing, she and Layne hug over the coffee table. They're both as bad as each other and act like little kids but it is kind of adorable.

"I'm glad you like it." Layne beams.

"I love it! I can make my own chips now."

"I'm sure Dom would love to hear you say that, he'll be horrified," I mutter.

Charlize hands my sister a present, and she carefully unwraps the paper as I shake my head at her. She has unwrapped presents this way since we were little kids.

"Oh, Charli! A digital photo frame — you knew I wanted that!" She beams. They hug again.

"I remember you saying you want to put all your photos onto a slide. I thought this would be perfect."

"It is. I love it!"

Mum and Dad exchange gifts. Mum gets a cashmere scarf, and Dad receives a new jigsaw puzzle. This is how my genius father spends his retirement these days.

Then Charlize hands me a box and I rip the paper open to reveal a brand new Versace tie. It's in a shiny rose-gold with the classic Versace logo. I smile. I know how she loves my tie collection, especially when I'm using them to secure her hands to the bed.

I slide a long, slender box into her hand and she looks up at me suspiciously, narrowing her eyes.

Ripping the paper open, she gasps at the Cartier box. Inside is a sparkling, diamond bracelet that I had custom made. When she flips the lid, a big smile spreads across her face.

"Thank you, Alistair. It's beautiful."

My mum and sister coo over the bracelet as I secure it on her dainty wrist. It sparkles under the down lights and looks gorgeous on her. I also got her the matching earrings, but I had them wrapped separately so she had more things to open.

"I think we should eat and come back to the presents after," Layne declares. She always wants delayed gratification by making present opening an all-day event.

"There's like another hundred presents here," I chuckle.

"And all that present opening makes a girl hungry," Charlize chimes.

The girls will be cooking a roast for lunch, and I can't wait to take Charlize out to the light show tonight. I know how much she loves looking at the Christmas lights and how happy it makes her.

Dad laughs. "I think you're outmatched, son."

I roll my eyes. "Of course I am." I might grumble, but spending time with my family at Christmas is a Devereaux family tradition. No matter how busy we are, or what we're doing, we always make time for Christmas. And I'm glad that Charlize has taken the family tradition on. It makes me all the more proud of her, especially considering her Christmases as a child weren't anything to write home about.

When the family makes their way toward the kitchen, I pull Charlize in for a quick cuddle.

"I love my tie," I tell her, rubbing her nose with mine.

"I have more for you."

I grin. "I certainly hope so." I press my lips to hers. "You look cute in your ridiculous jumpsuit."

She wraps her arms around my neck. "It's not ridiculous. And it's a onesie."

"You know you're initiated now with the family, right? Whoever wears matching onesies is definitely never going to escape Layne and my mum."

"Good." She pecks me on the lips. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

We're going to spend the new year in Seattle with Charlize's friends and their partners. I like Lukas and Khristian a lot. We're all around the same age and Lukas is also in advertising. So we're not generally stuck for conversation.

We've only grown closer these last few months. In fact, it's been blissful. I've loved every second of getting to know her and making her mine.

"I'm glad, because they'll turf me out before they let anything happen to you."

She smirks. "I guess I can't help it that I'm sparkly."

I pull her closer. "I guess you can't."

Nothing could ever be bright or sunny like my princess is.

She's my world.

My everything.

"Do you know how sexy flannel pjs with flying Santas look on you?"

I sigh heavily. "I'm only wearing them because you agreed I'd get laid later."

She giggles. "I did. I also think you should play bad Santa in those pjs."

I bump her with my hips, my face turning serious. "Are you okay with today?"

Her eyes glitter as she looks up at me. "Are you kidding? I love your family. They're so much fun."

"Aside from Dad, he's a bit of a stick in the mud."

She snuggles closer. "Just like you."

I laugh. "Merry Christmas, Charlize."

She presses her lips to mine. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Devereaux."

And I've never heard such sweet words.

Charlize

One year later

"What do you think?" Alistair asks as we walk, hand in hand, around the swanky, new apartment in Seattle.

"Alistair, it's amazing. I love it."

"Are you sure? If you don't like the decor, we can change it."

The apartment Lukas told us about is in the same building as theirs, and it's perfect for us. But Alistair has to like it.

"It's beautiful as is. I love everything, especially the balcony."

The place is spacious, three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms. A study. A large, expansive kitchen in white and gold overlooking a huge lounge room and dining area. I personally love it, but it isn"t all about me.

"We can get new furniture, you can pick everything." He pulls my hand up to his mouth and kisses my knuckles.

"It's perfect, if you love it?"

"I can see us here." He looks around. "We can make it a home."

"I'd love that," I whisper. "We can go shopping together."

"Or you can send me pictures. You know I'm shit at stuff like that."

"Nonsense, you did very well with both your homes in England — they're fabulous."

"That's because I hired a very expensive decorator." He looks at me. "And now you can do all of that."

I smile. I've been taking an interior decorating course for the last six months, and it's something I'm really enjoying. I might even make a business out of it when I'm qualified. It'd be small; I don't want to take on any huge jobs, but I love doing it. I've always had a creative streak and I love working with colour and textures.

And it would be a dream to add some decor to this apartment and style it to our tastes. Luckily, Alistair and I have very similar tastes when it comes to decorating. We both like muted colours, clean lines and nothing too bright and in your face.

"How much is it?" I always worry about money, mainly because Alistair is the one with all the dough.

"Don't worry about that. It's our home away from home. I want it to be perfect."

Condos like this run into the millions, and with this view of the city? I can only imagine.

"It is if you're here with me."

"I'll always be here with you." He kisses me on the nose. "I think we put an offer in."

I nod eagerly. "Okay." This is all falling into place. "I can't wait to pick out towels with you."

He grins.

Our home away from home.

Alistair rolls his hips as I ride him, reverse cowgirl. The man is as virile in bed as ever. Making me come over and over with that hot tongue of his, and not giving me a reprieve before he's pushing into me from behind. This man can go forever.

I also have my hands tied behind my back, so he has full control.

"If I fall forward and flat on my face, I'll punch you," I tell him.

He chuckles. "You won't fall." He grips my hips harder, bouncing me as I find a rhythm. "I won't let you."

I throw my head back as I bounce up and down, up and down. I hear his breath hiss and I ride him harder, my orgasm coming in thick and fast as I cry out, Daddy.

This man. He knows his way around my body and I love it. I love every second of our love making, fucking, screwing, whatever it is on any given day. Alistair can be passionate and slow, or hard and fast, or downright dirty. And I'm here for all of it.

"Mr. Devereaux," I cry. "I need to come."

"You've been a good girl for once," he grunts. "So you can come now, Princess."

He shoves up into me as he brings me down hard. I cry out, calling his name as my rush continues over and over.

"What are you?" he growls as I close my eyes.

"Your dirty little slut."

"No."

"What am I then?"

"My wife." He releases, spurting hot waves of cum inside me as I gasp. His wife?

"Your wife?" I reiterate my inner thoughts.

"If you'll have me." He sits up, pulling me off him and untying my hands.

I swivel around on his lap.

"What?" I stare down at him.

He pulls a box out from under the pillow. "Marry me, Charlize. Make me your husband."

I put my hands over my mouth in shock. We've never really discussed marriage, and neither of us are big on having children.

"Alistair?"

"I can't live without you taking my name. Say you'll do it, please."

I nod, tears beginning to stream down my face. "Yes. Yes! I'll marry you. I want to marry you!"

He pops the box and I gasp at the huge rock. "It's six carats. White gold. I got it from Tre'sor." Khristian's high-end jewellery store. The stone is square, and it's so shiny and beautiful. He slides it onto my finger and I stare down at him in shock.

This is just like Alistair to do this in the throes of passion.

"I couldn't wait," he tells me. "I need you to be my wife."

I cup his face, pressing my lips to his. "I love you, husband. I love you so much."

He cups my face. "I like that. Say it again."

"Husband?"

He growls and I laugh, wrapping my arms around him. "Say it."

"Daddy husband?"

He stops, then bursts out laughing, rolling me over as I yelp. He hovers over me.

"I don't know about that, but I will promise to be the best husband I can be. And I'll love you forever, if that helps."

"It does help. I need you, Alistair. I need you so much."

He wipes my tears. He looks… happy. "That's like music to my ears."

"So now I can be your bad slutty wife instead of your slutty girlfriend?"

He lines up and sinks into me as I moan. "Something like that."

And I always want it to be like this.

Loving.

Us trusting one another.

Moving forward.

Always together.

I love this man with all my heart.

"I can't wait until I'm your wife." I hold the ring up as he stills. "It's perfect, just like my husband."

He pulls out and shoves back in. "You're perfect. Tell me again, over and over, Princess. Tell me you love me."

And I do, all night long.