Epilogue

EPILOGUE

brIAN

" T his is the life," I say, settling into the lounge chair next to Blair and sighing contentedly.

"What's not to like? The weather is perfect, the water is warm, and the food is delicious." She grins at me, and I reach out and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I couldn't have said it better myself." I look around, taking in the beauty of the ocean and the palm trees swaying in the breeze. But it isn't until I look back at her that I add, "And the view is pretty spectacular too."

"Oh yeah? What are you looking at?" Blair asks, her tone teasing.

"You," I answer, leaning in and capturing her lips in a kiss.

She smiles against my mouth, and I can't help but smile too. I can't believe how lucky I am to have her in my life. All the years I spent having to be a hard ass to build my company up made it difficult for me to let my guard down, but with Blair, I can. Well, at least a little bit. There's a part of me that's constantly looking out for her and making sure that the world knows whose wife she is.

"You're a smooth talker, Mr. Beckett."

"Only for you, Mrs. Beckett."

I can go further, taking her out of that little bikini and tasting her skin under the Hawaiian sun, but sleeping in a covered tent cot next to us is our one-year-old daughter, Brooke.

We've come a long way since I first saw her at the office, and it's been an adventure. After we took care of Tanner, Blair moved in with me. We didn't want to waste a second, and it's been a whirlwind.

"It's good to have the place to ourselves for a little while, though," I say, stretching my arms above my head and sighing happily.

"I know, right? Between work and taking care of Brooke, it's hard to get any alone time."

I give a small nod. "That's why we had to take this trip, baby. It's important to make sure you get a break every now and then."

Blair gives me a soft smile, and her eyes shine with love. "You're the best, you know that?"

"Well, I try," I joke.

Seeing her so happy and content makes me feel like the most powerful man in the world. There has been nothing in my life to equal Blair. Nothing.

I steal another quick kiss but settle back onto my own lounger and fold my hands behind my head. It's been one hell of a year, but each part of it has been better than the last.

I spared no expense to give Blair the wedding of her dreams. Until my wife came into my life, I spent most of my time working. Being with her has made me want to slow down.

If Tanner was around to take over, I'd split the CEO duties with him, but he disappeared ever since I punched him over a year ago. I'm not proud of what I did to my son, but I don't regret it either. He stepped out of line, fucking with Blair, and it was my job to teach him a lesson.

Without Tanner, I have to stay the CEO for the foreseeable future. I look down at sweet, sleeping Brooke, and then over at my wife, and smile. I have loved ones to inherit the company, with or without Tanner. They just don't know it yet.

With a contented sigh, I close my eyes, and doze off into a nap, linking my fingers with Blair's when I feel her reach over and take my hand.

I dream of Blair, the wedding, the night Brooke was conceived, and I can only think one thing.

This is the way life should always be.