Epilogue

Bridget

Six months later…

Water slaps against the shore in a mesmerizing rhythm as I lounge in my canvas folding chair. The sun is shining brightly, but thanks to the massive umbrella above me, I can happily relax without worrying about getting a sunburn.

I can hear Mia's excited squeal as she plays with Mason in the sand.

This is certainly an "extra" way to enjoy a family vacation. Not that I mind. And how many toddlers can say they've been to Hawaii?

There are so many wonderful things about my life with the two of them, but right now is utter bliss.

We'll be back in Red Lodge in just a few days with so many incredible stories to tell Mom and Hudson, and I know that he owes Meredith big time for not coming along on the trip.

But you shouldn't fly when you're that pregnant, and Meredith has been cursing her husband as often as she can for "knocking me up again, you bum."

Smiling to myself, I set my book down on the cooler, using Mia's handmade bookmark to hold my spot. The romantic suspense genre has become something of an obsession of mine since I sort of lived it myself.

I've even started a little book club with Meredith, Mom, and one of her friends from when she needed a nurse, Caroline.

Healthy coping mechanisms for the win. Also, werewolf porn, but Mom doesn't need to know about that one.

Giggles filter through the air, and I crack my lids to see Mia chasing Mason with a stick covered in seaweed. I can't help but laugh at the scene, so incredibly grateful that this is my life.

I still can't believe how much my life has changed since I came back home. Hell, even over the last six months.

I was thoroughly convinced that my life would always be just running from Jai, living in survival mode until I finally kicked the bucket.

Mason was gone, and I'd missed my chance with him. That's what I firmly believed.

But coming home was the best decision I've ever made, becoming Mason's nanny paired along with it.

And to think that now I was so much more to Mia than just her nanny.

That little girl—and her father—are my entire life, and I am so incredibly proud and honored that I get to be her Momma.

My chance at kids had nearly been taken from me, but it seems that not only did fate bless me with an opportunity to be with Mason again, but to be the mom I've always dreamed of.

And I'm not living in constant fear anymore. After the trial, Jai was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree attempted murder.

He could potentially get parole, but the case wasn't looking good considering the evidence brought up against him for three years of stalking.

I was safe. I could live my life without looking over my shoulder constantly.

Happy endings to me had been reserved for the pages of a book or the end of a rom-com. But now…

I'm living happily ever after each day, and it can't get any better.

"Get Momma, Mia! Let's do it!"

I perk up in my chair, looking out over the beach to see Mia running up to me with her arms wide for a hug.

I lean forward, catching her in my arms and scooping her up into my lap. With the perfect little grin, Mia hugs me and then promptly takes my sun hat off because she hates it.

"You bum. I need that for the sun."

I tease her, tickling under her arm, and then Mason is hurrying over to his chair beside mine.

His breath rushes in and out of him, but he leans forward, getting Mia's attention.

"What do you think, hun? Should I give it to her now?"

"Yeah! Momma present!"

I cock my head, eyeing Mason. "Present? What are you up to, Daddy? I thought the trip was plenty."

He just grins at me, shaking his head as one shoulder lifts in a shrug. As he digs in the beach bag for his shorts, he reaches out a hand for Mia.

"Come here, you. Give this to Momma."

I help Mia down, and she walks over to Mason and takes what he pulls out. It's too quick for me to see what it was, but Mia has her little hands wrapped around something that just fits between her two palms.

Furrowing my brow and so very confused, I hold out my hands so that Mia can give me whatever it is Mason's brought with him. She doesn't relinquish it, though, having me pick her up and put her in my lap instead.

"Okay, what is it, honey?" I smile down at her, my pulse quick as the anticipation builds.

"Momma present!"

Mia holds up her hands, right in my face, in fact, and then opens up her palms like an oyster shell.

She's got a small velvet box, and my stomach drops clean through the earth.

"Oh my God, Mason. Did you…"

I can't finish the words, and Mason just grins.

"Open it up."

Taking the box from Mia, I hold it in between us. My fingers tremble as I open the lid, which clicks into place when I've lifted it far enough.

Inside, nestled in more of the beautiful black velvet, is a ring. The diamond in the center is at least a few carats and the gorgeous cushion cut is surrounded by twisting strands of gold in both rose and white colors.

I gasp, looking up at Mason as my eyes flood with tears.

"Are…are you serious? This is so much!" I look back down at the ring. "This thing must have cost a fortune!"

Mason laughs, his eyes going glassy, and then he's on his knee in the sand in front of me, circling his arms around Mia.

"We are very serious. We want you to be the permanent momma of the house. And the cost is nothing. I wanted something as special as you. It's our families becoming one, Bridget. I love you, and I want the entire universe to know."

I can't stop the rain of tears, and Mia looks at me with her brows raised. "Happy tears?"

"Yes, baby." I nod, rubbing my nose against hers. "Happy tears."

When I look back up at Mason, he takes the ring out of the box, and I hold out my hand.

"Yes, Mason. Of course." I laugh through the swelling emotions, pulling them both close to me. "Forever and ever."

"Yay!" Mia cries out, and Mason and I just laugh all the more.

"Yay, baby girl! So much yay!"

Mason kisses me, scooping under Mia and pulling me to my feet. We leap and celebrate, Mason taking Mia in his arms and spinning her around as she cackles wildly.

When he stops, pulling me into his free arm, I look up at him, smiling so big my cheeks hurt.

"I didn't think it could get better, Mason. But you're always proving me wrong in that department."

"Well," he grins with that twinkle in his eyes that I know means he's not done with the surprises, "I've got two more things planned."

"Oh, yeah. What's that?"

Mason looks between me and Mia. "First, we play and have an amazing time at the beach. Then we get dinner after saying I do."

My eyes flare wide. "Wait. You want to get married now?!"

"I've got it all set up. Dresses for you girls and everything. But that's just tonight."

"Oh, Lord. What more could that devious brain of yours have planned?"

He smiles, setting Mia down for a moment so he can pull me into his arms and wrap them around my waist.

"Tomorrow, we hop on another plane but not to go home. We're taking it to Paris."

"What?! Mason, you have work. My family is?—"

"Very much getting packed as we speak so that they can meet us there. We have the private you and me ceremony tonight and the big one tomorrow. What do you say?"

My head is spinning, and I think I might actually fall over if Mason lets go of me.

But it's easy to know what I think because I know exactly what I want.

"Yes." I smile at him, shaking my head. "Yes, Mason. We've waited long enough. Let's get married. Twice."

He smiles before kissing me as long as Mia will let him. When she starts to climb his leg, Mason scoops her up again, and we run out from under the umbrella and into the waves.

The perfect day to start my perfect life.

THE END

Did you like Nanny for the Firefighter ? Then you'll LOVE Nanny for the Doctor: A Brother's Best Friend Romance .

* * *

As an ER doctor, I'm used to surprises, but my best friend's little sister—and now my son's nanny—is the one emergency I never saw coming.

She's supposed to be tending to scrapes and telling bedtime stories, not sending my pulse racing with every smile.

I've got my hands full with ER shifts and single fatherhood; I don't have time for wild nights with the nanny.

I keep telling myself she's just a temporary temptation, but who am I kidding? The more I try to resist, the more I want her.

Our agreement was simple: keep it quiet, keep it casual, nobody needs to know. Especially not her overprotective brother—my lifelong friend.

But as our stolen moments are turning into something deeper, I start seeing a different side of her.

She's more than just the nanny; she's the woman who's taken over my every thought.

We thought we could handle a no-strings fling, but hearts don't follow rules.

And when she reveals a life-changing secret, I realize this isn't just a game anymore.

She's pregnant.

* * *

Start reading Nanny for the Doctor NOW !