Epilogue

One month later

Aaron's hand wrapped around Emersyn's, and he tugged her along, grinning as they hurried to join their friends at the beach party. "What's the surprise?" she asked.

"You'll have to wait and see. And you'll absolutely love it," Aaron promised.

Emersyn shot him a look but went along with it, Aaron's laughter filling the air. "Don't give me that look. When have I ever steered you wrong?" He ducked down, his lips brushing against her ear. "Remember this morning?" he said, his voice husky.

Emersyn blushed as she recalled the way Aaron had put her on her hands and knees in his bed, eating her out from behind until her cries filled the bedroom. Her pussy had been slick with arousal, flushed and swollen for him. He'd thrust into her afterwards until she was filled completely with his thick erection, at her man's complete and utter mercy. When she'd come for him again, Aaron had finally thrust faster and roared out his own release, collecting her in his arms afterwards and kissing her until she was breathless.

She flashed him a look. "How could I forget? I'm pretty sure the neighbors heard me."

His smile was positively naughty. "Damn straight." But Aaron lifted her hand to his mouth, pressing his lips to her skin. He was always surprising her, tender in the quiet moments and assertive in bed as he made her his.

"I actually have a surprise for you, too," she hedged as they walked down the wooden boardwalk to the sand.

"Oh yeah? Please tell me it involves you and me naked."

"Oh stop," she said, playfully swatting at him. "It's about our conversation the other night."

Aaron stopped, Emersyn nearly crashing into him. "You're staying in Hawaii?"

"I am," she said, beaming up at him. "My boss is pretty certain he can get my TDY switched to a permanent position. If that doesn't work out for some reason, I'll be applying to other jobs here. There are lots of contracting positions and other government work. I want to stay here with you."

Aaron's grin spread across his face. "Thank God," he said softly, cupping her face in his big hands and ducking for a sweet kiss. "I was half ready to transfer to Little Creek if you insisted on moving home. I'm crazy in love with you, Em."

"I know, because I'm crazy in love with you, too."

He took her hand again, pulling her along, and Emersyn shrieked in surprise as she saw her sister. Layton was with her daughter Caroline, both standing noticeably apart from the group of men and women already gathered on the beach. Emersyn saw Wyatt and his fiancée Callie, Sawyer, Hudson, Ryan, and Austin and Alexa all talking. She let go of Aaron's hand to run toward her sister and niece, hugging both at the same time. "Oh my gosh! You're here! Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"I wasn't sure until the last minute, and then Aaron and I thought it would be a fun surprise," Layton said, clutching onto both her hands.

"Are you kidding me?" Emersyn exclaimed. "It's the best surprise ever!" She looked over at Aaron. "I can't believe you kept this a secret."

"Didn't I tell you it was a good surprise?" he asked.

Caroline threw herself into Emersyn's arms, and she swung the little girl around, listening to her shrieks of laughter. "Caroline, baby, go collect some of those shells for us," Layton told her.

"Okay, mommy!" she yelled before running off.

Emersyn watched her go before turning back to her sister. "What's wrong?" she asked, noticing the tears filling Layton's eyes. Aaron had moved over to the group of his teammates and their women, giving them a moment of privacy.

"I'm pregnant," Layton whispered, glancing over to make sure her daughter didn't hear as she ran around in excitement on the sand.

"What?" Emersyn asked in shock. "When? Who's the father?"

Hudson's laughter filled the air as the group stood at a distance talking with their beers in hand, and Layton looked at him then Emersyn, giving her a pointed look.

"Wait, you slept with Hudson?" Emersyn asked in surprise. "When did that even happen?"

"The night before I left Hawaii. Aaron came over to see you, and Hudson and I, well…things happened."

"Holy crap," Emersyn murmured. "Does he know?"

"Nope. And I have to figure out some way to tell him. We never even got to our date, just hooked up before I left. It was a brief moment of craziness for me—a vacation fling before I went back to reality. Real life. Except this little souvenir will be with me forever."

"Oh my gosh. Layton," Emersyn said, giving her a big hug. "You have to let him know."

"I will when the time's right. I've got some other changes coming up, too. Remember my colossal dick of an ex?"

"Tiny dick," Emersyn reminded her.

Layton snorted, brushing away a stray tear. "Well, he's getting remarried and doesn't want joint custody anymore. I haven't even figured out a way to tell Caroline yet. How am I supposed to explain that to a child? She's with me one hundred percent of the time now because her father wants to prioritize his new family."

"Oh Layton," Emersyn said in a low voice. "Damn. He is an asshole."

Caroline ran over with a bunch of seashells, handing some to Emersyn and her mom. Hudson glanced up, looking surprised, then walked over to say hello. "Layton," he said, his voice rough. "I didn't know you were in town again."

"Surprise," she said weakly.

Caroline handed him one of the shells, and Hudson awkwardly took it from her. "Uh—thanks," he finally said. "Where'd she come from?" he asked in confusion as Caroline ran back down the beach to collect more treasures.

"You don't like kids?" Emersyn asked after Caroline was out of hearing range.

"I don't think I ever want kids," Hudson admitted. "I was raised in foster care and—" He shrugged.

Layton nodded, pressing her lips together, then glanced at Emersyn. "I need to get going. I shouldn't have come tonight."

"Layton—"

"Good to see you again, Hudson!" she called out too loudly, waving and abruptly walking away. "Come on, baby!" she yelled to Caroline. "Time to go!"

"What was that about?" Hudson asked, looking confused.

"Aunt Emersyn!" Caroline shouted, running toward her with open arms. "We get to see you again soon! Yay!"

Hudson did a double-take.

"Aunt?"

Layton turned around, gesturing to her daughter to hurry along. Her gaze locked with Hudson's, and Emersyn could see her lower lip wobbling as she tried to hold in her tears. "We'll have to catch up, Hudson. I've got some, uh, news to share. And yes, that's my daughter. Caroline and I are moving to Hawaii."

???

Thank you so much for reading Aaron and Emersyn's story! If you enjoyed this book, you'll love SEAL's Secret . Find out what happens with Hudson and Layton.