Epilogue

Kyra

Four Years Later

" M omma, Daddy comin'?" We're sitting at the beach. The sun is rising on the edge of the horizon where the never-ending ocean seems to greet it, and we're building sandcastles while Rhodes finishes up his morning at Whitecaps. Currently, every time I build even a small castle, Kyla decides to Godzilla them and stomps them until they're dust. Our little girl is three going on thirteen, full of sass and independence, and she's got her father's personality. Capable of doing any- and everything. She may act like her dad, but Kyla is the spitting image of me, a compliment Rhodes gives both of us daily. He loves nothing more than to spoil his ladies with lots of love and attention.

"He is. A few more minutes, and he should be down here." A customer came in for a custom surfboard, and my husband did all the fabrication from start to finish. One of those deals where the guy only wanted to deal with Rhodes. It happens from time to time, but for the most part, other people at the store help when necessary.

"Kay, me go swim wif Daddy?" I'm chopped liver once Rhodes is at the beach with us. He takes our girl out further, runs after her, and does all the fun stuff I can't at this stage in the game.

"Of course." My hand goes to my rounded stomach. I'm in the home stretch of this pregnancy at eight months. I already know standing up is going to take help. It's worth it for Kyla to get outside and burn her energy for the morning. Of course, after our time down here, we'll go up to the house, eat lunch, she'll nap, and then she's ready for more. It's part of the reason I'm pushing for a pool in our backyard. I love the beach and always will, but there are times when a quick dip in the pool or entertaining Kyla by the house would be nice, too, especially when our baby boy is born. I've got Rhodes almost convinced. He didn't want people coming and going while summer is in full swing. Come winter, though, I'm going to sign the contract regardless. We have more than enough money in the bank. Rhodes has his military money and still works at the surf shop. The days he isn't at Whitecaps, I pick up a shift here and there. I love being a wife and mom; that doesn't mean I don't like taking care of others in a working capacity. It works for our family, for now. Adding a second child to the mix might have us re-evaluating my job later. As it is right now, I'm only taking one or two shifts a month since I'm getting closer to my due date.

"I get water?" Kyla may be asking a question, but it's more of a statement than anything. She's got her cute bright pink and orange bathing suit on, dancing from one foot to the other with a watering pail, and a smile plastered on her face.

"Yes, not too far." I sit back, wishing I'd had the forethought to grab the umbrella. Not like it would do much good—the wind is whipping around, and frankly, I suck at getting it to stay in the ground. My luck would be as follows: I'd lug all the stuff down here, beach toys, umbrella, drinks for us, and my beach bag with a few essentials, like towels and sunscreen plus snacks for Kyla. I'd get it buried in the ground, the wind would blow one time, and the umbrella, well, it would be tumbling down the shoreline.

"O-tay." She spins around, her head in front of her body, her feet trying to keep up.

"I figured I'd find you two here. Couldn't wait any longer?" Rhodes comes up behind me, his inner thighs on the outsides of mine, hand going to my belly, the other around my chest, pulling me back to lay against him.

"Well, it's not a hardship to be down here with our girl." Kyla runs back toward us, losing more water than she can keep inside.

"No, it fucking isn't." Rhodes kisses the side of my head.

"Da, Dad, Daddy!" The second Kyla has her sights set on her daddy, it's game over. The pail drops to the ground and she's running as fast as her little toddler body will let her.

"Hey, little lady, you holdin' down the fort for Mommy?" Kyla barrels into Rhodes, and his arm goes out to scoop her up.

"Yep, I gon be strong wike you!" I close my eyes, soaking in this moment. Falling more in love with our life every single day. As for Rhodes and his prosthetic, Kyla doesn't think anything different. She loves her daddy, and that's all that matters.

"Love you, sweetheart," Rhodes whispers in my ear after responding to our girl.

"I love you, Rhodes, forever."

I hope you enjoyed Rhodes and Kyra's story and will consider leaving a review.

Coming next is His to Keep, Trey and Sienna's book and releases Sept 15th!