Epilogue

EPILOGUE

"H oney, I'm home!"

Penny giggled at BJ's announcement. It had been four months since they confessed their love and decided to make a real go at this relationship thing. Four glorious months filled with laughter, joy—the occasional disagreement over which pizza topping to get—and most of all, love. About three months ago, he'd moved into her place. She quickly realized that her cozy apartment was much too cramped for two people.

And it was about to get a lot smaller.

Smile on her face, Penny tucked the small box with the surprise in it behind her back and stood from her seat on the couch. BJ held up a tub of strawberry swirl ice cream. Her mouth watered at the sight.

"We ran out this morning. How did you know to get more?"

He grinned, moving to the kitchen to put the ice cream in the freezer. "You've been having it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner lately. We were low last night. I figured better to play it on the safe side and grab a tub on my way home."

Wasn't her fault the sweet, creamy confection was the only thing that didn't make her want to puke her guts out lately. Well, it kind of was her fault…his too. She rolled her lips in, eager to shout out her new, but not wanting to spoil the surprise. Giddy excitement filled her chest. The secret she held inside threatened to crawl up her throat, but she held it back. She wanted BJ to at least be in front of her when she told him.

"Plus, I figured we needed the ice cream to celebrate," BJ said, coming to stand beside her.

"Celebrate?"

"Yeah."

He cupped her face, placing a gentle kiss to her lips. She'd never tire of kissing BJ. Not even if they suddenly became immortal and lived forever. Kissing him was like sinking into a pool of all the warm and wonderful things life offered. He loved her. She still couldn't believe it most days.

"It's our four-month anniversary," BJ whispered against her lips.

She laughed softly. "I don't think people celebrate month four."

Unless they were high schoolers in their first relationship.

He grazed her cheek with his lips, the rough hairs of his beard tickling her skin as his mouth made a path to that spot right below her ear that made her knees weak.

"Indulge me," his deep voice rumbled.

Penny felt a sharp throb between her legs. Her panties dampened as her body roared to life. She assumed living with BJ, having him whenever the mood struck, would have gradually lessened her driving need to have him.

It had not.

"I have a gift for you," he added, placing a hand on her hip, and pulling her closer.

She chuckled as she felt something hard poke her. "As much as I love that gift. I actually have something for you."

She couldn't let herself get distracted by sex. Correction, hot, amazing, mind-blowing sex. She had a special announcement for him. Then they could have hot, amazing, mind-blowing sex.

"I've created a monster," BJ laughed, pulling back, and bopping her on the tip of her nose. "Little BJ is not the gift. I have a real one."

BJ was always getting her little treats. Ways to show he loved her, in addition to telling her every day. He'd come home with her favorite dish from Jacks. Fuzzy slippers to keep her feet warm while she worked. He even bought them tickets to a lecture in Denver by one of her favorite programmers simply because he knew she wanted to go.

It didn't matter what amazing thing he got her. The number one best thing he'd ever given her was his love. She placed a soft hand on her stomach, happiness filling her as she thought of the second-best thing he'd given her.

"Okay," BJ said, taking a small step back. "Let's give each other our gifts on the count of three. Ready?"

She nodded, hand gripping the small box behind her back tightly. "One…"

"Two," he said.

In unison, they both smiled and said, "Three!"

Penny brought the box out from behind her back, a gasp leaving her as BJ pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket and went down on one knee. Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away as he opened the box to reveal a beautiful silver ring etched with a mountain pattern. She'd pointed out the ring when they went up to Estes last month. The local artist made engagement and wedding bands engraved with the Rockies. She remembered telling BJ how fun it would be to have rings that symbolized their home. Where they fell in love.

"BJ…are you?"

"Asking you to marry me?" His grin turned into a full-fledged smiled, filled with love and happiness. "Yes. I could give you some long-winded speech about how you're my best friend. All the things we've shared, all the times you've made me a better person. But honestly, there are no words in any language to describe how much I love you. How much I need you to be in my life. Forever. By my side. Just you and me."

Heart bursting with love, her hands trembled as she held up the box in her hand. "What if it isn't just you and me?"

BJ frowned, confusion covering his face. He glanced down at the box and understanding lit his eyes. Lips turning up in a grin, he stood.

"Really?"

The excitement on his face made her heart soar. "Open it and see."

He gently opened the top of the box still in her hands to reveal a pregnancy test with a small plus sign.

"We're going to have a baby," his low voice, filled with awe, spoke the words into the air.

"And we're going to get married," she said, lifting her hand so BJ could slip the ring on her finger.

"Holy shit, this is amazing," he muttered, laughter spilling from his lips as he pulled her in for a deep kiss.

Her thoughts exactly.

"I'd say we have a lot to celebrate," BJ said, scooping her into his arms.

She let out a yelp of surprised laughter. "I agree. How should we celebrate?"

He kissed her, softly, with so much love it made her chest ache.

"Let's start by heading into the bedroom. I think I read somewhere that pregnancy increases a woman's libido. I have to make sure my pregnant fiancée is taken care of."

She giggled. "You're going to spoil me for the whole nine months, aren't you?"

"Yup." He grinned, walking back to their bedroom with her tucked safely against his chest.

All those months ago, when she asked BJ for his sperm, she hadn't dreamed that they would end up here. She thought all she wanted was a baby to love and care for. Too afraid to ask for more, to press for what her heart truly desired. Now she knew she was deserving of having it all. The road ahead wouldn't be perfect. She knew that. Life never was. But with her best friend by her side, loving her as much as she loved him, they could face anything.

The End