Epilogue

Ava

Two years later

––––––––

I stare at myself in the mirror, my body practically vibrating from nerves. "I think I'm going to be sick."

"You're not going to be sick. Just take deep breaths. Everything is going to be fine. That man loves you so damn hard. You could trip while walking down the aisle, and he wouldn't bat an eye."

"Thanks for that." I swing a glare Tasha's way. "Now, all I'm going to think about is tripping."

Roman and I have been engaged for a couple of years now. Since we found our way back to each other in the rain that day, we've been inseparable. The next day, we were on his private plane and headed to Paris. He proposed to me in front of the Eiffel Tower like a cheesy romantic movie, and I cried like a baby as he spilled his heart out to me. I said yes, of course.

With me being fresh out of nursing school, I decided to take some time off before starting my career so we could travel the world. I'm still young and my career was still there waiting for me when I got back. But time is precious, and I just wanted to be with Roman.

He insisted on spoiling me like his Princess, and I let him. If him buying me things makes him happy, and he knows I'm not with him for his money, then that's all that matters.

Thankfully, my being with Roman didn't ruin my relationship with Tasha. We're still best friends and still do everything together. She even has her own room at the house.

She and Roman's relationship is stronger than ever. I love watching the two of them bond and the way they are with each other. He really is an amazing father who loves his kid above everything else. As he should.

We've been back for about a year now, planning the wedding and getting back into a new routine of life. He bought us a nice house in a good neighborhood. I told him that just because we had the money to do so we didn't have to get something massive and over the top. We settled on a good size house with lots of room, but nothing crazy enough to have its own wing.

It's big enough for us... and the family we're about to start.

"It's not easy," I say with another wave of nausea. "It's not just the nerves that are making me sick."

Tasha raises a brow. "What? Are you, like, pregnant or something?" She snorts out a laugh, saying it like it's a joke. But when I just stare at her, my cheeks turn pink, and her eyes practically bug out of her head as she gapes at me. "No fucking way," she yells. "You're joking with me?"

"Would you be mad if I said I wasn't joking?" I ask, my belly swooping as I wait for her answer. It's one thing for me to marry my best friend's dad, but having a baby with him? I'm not sure how she will react.

"You're really pregnant?" she whispers, her eyes dropping to my belly as my hand instinctively goes to it.

"Yes." I nod, tears welling in my eyes. "I'm about eight weeks."

"Oh my god." I watch as her eyes tear up, too. "You're having a baby. I'm going to be an auntie."

I laugh. "Well, technically, you're going to be a big sister."

"Holy shit!" Her eyes widen as her hands fly to her mouth. "I'm going to be a big sister! Oh my god, I always wanted siblings."

I can't help it, I start to cry. I don't even care about my makeup as Tasha pulls me in for a hug.

"You're not mad?"

"Mad? No way. I'm so damn excited. This is amazing, Ava," she cheers, pulling back to look at me. "Does my dad know?"

I shake my head, dabbing at the corner of my eyes with the tissue she hands me. "No. I just found out yesterday, and I wanted to wait until all the stress of the wedding was over with. I'm going to tell him tonight."

"He's going to be so happy." Tasha smiles.

"You think?"

"Oh yeah." She laughs. "I think that man has been trying to knock you up for a while now."

"Oh my god." I laugh, burying my face in my hands. "That's weird for you to say."

She gives me a sly grin. "I'm not blind. I see how he looks at you. I'm happy for you both. He loves kids, and I know he wishes he had more. I don't think he did because of how things went with him and my mom. It scared him, you know?"

"I know." I nod. "And no offense to your mom, but I'm nothing like her."

"Offend all you like." Tasha rolls her eyes. "And no, you're a million times better than her. I know you love him and would never hurt him."

"Never," I say strongly.

There's a knock at the door, and Connor's deep voice sounds through the wood. "Hope I'm not rushing anyone, but the ceremony is about to begin."

"We're coming!" Tasha shouts back. "Okay, babe, you ready to make an honest man out of my dad?"

"Always." I laugh.

Taking a moment to fix my makeup and hair, I take one last look at myself and smile. I look and feel like a princess today, and I know Roman is going to think so, too.

"Come on, Little One. Let's go see your daddy," I whisper as I pat my belly gently before heading out of the room.

It feels like a dream. I'm with the man I've been in love with most of my life, someone I thought would never see me as anything more than his daughter's best friend. And now, not only does he love me back, but we live together, we're getting married, and I'm having his baby. My life is everything I could have dreamed of and more.

When we step out into the hall, I watch as Connor grabs Tasha around the waist and pulls her in for a kiss. I grin as my best friend stumbles back, all flustered. Connor, the cocky man he is, winks before slapping her ass and strolling away.

"It's going to be you two next, you know."

Tasha grins. "I don't know. He'd have to get my father's approval. He might be okay with his best friend dating his daughter, but I think he would have a heart attack if I were to marry him."

"Your dad loves you, Tasha. Don't be so quick to write that one off. As long as you're happy and Connor loves you, which he does, that's all your dad cares about."

She just gives me a smile and nods.

When Roman found out about Tasha and Connor, he wasn't very happy. But I reminded him that he had no room to talk, seeing how he was with his daughter's best friend. It helped a little, but only after Roman kicked Connor's ass and told him if he hurt his daughter, he'd kill him. After that, things have been good.

Who knew all Tasha needed to do was lose her job, have a quarter-life crisis, and move in with her dad's best friend. But that's a story for another time.

"Are you ready?" Tasha asks me, handing me my bouquet. I'm walking down the aisle alone today. Not everyone took the news about Roman and me very well. When I told my parents, I was surprised to see the disappointment in their eyes. I knew they wouldn't be happy that I was dating an older man, but I never thought my father would make some pretty disgusting comments towards Roman. After telling him that Roman is a good man and never once tried anything with me before I was twenty-one, I left them and haven't heard from my parents since.

It hurt, and I cried to Roman. Being the sweet man he is, he didn't think ill of my father, telling me that maybe he'll come around someday. It's been two years; I'm not holding my breath. And as sad as I am about it, this is my life, and I have the right to be happy with whoever I want.

"Yeah." I nod, taking a deep breath. Hopefully, the morning sickness holds off until after we say ‘I do'.

The doors open, and the music starts up. Tasha walks to the front, and I smile as I see Roman kiss her on the cheek before she takes her spot on the other side. While Roman and I have other friends, they're not as close to us as Tasha and Connor. So, we thought It was fitting that they be the ones to stand with us today.

The music changes, and I take another deep breath before I start walking down the aisle.

The whole time, my eyes are locked with Roman's. The way he looks at me makes my heart flutter, and my eyes sting. This man is everything to me.

"Hi," I whisper as he takes my hands into his.

"Hi, Princess." He grins. "You look breathtaking."

The ceremony is quick and sweet. Although his vows made me sob like a baby, I got him back with mine. I've never seen Roman cry before, but I think I got him pretty close today.

After taking a million photos, we headed to the reception. While our ceremony only consisted of some friends and Roman's family, the reception is filled with coworkers on both sides.

Roman sweeps me into his arms for our first dance, and I cling to him, soaking in his touch.

"How are you feeling tonight, Mrs. Knight?" he murmurs against my ear, making me shiver.

"A little nauseous." I know he's trying to be sexy, but I need to tell him now before I burst.

He pulls back and looks down at me with concern, moving slower.

"Are you okay? Was it something you ate? You're not getting the flu, are you?"

"No." I laugh, unable to hide my smile. "Nothing like that."

"Then what is it?" His brows furrow. He's so handsome. How did I get so lucky?

"Guess the morning sickness wanted to stay all day," I declare, biting my lower lip. I watch his face as he processes what I just said.

We come to a stop, and I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. "Morning sickness... you're, you're pregnant?"

My eyes sting as I nod my head. "Yes."

He blinks at me in shock a few times. "Really? You're not joking?"

"No joke. I'm about eight weeks."

A few more moments pass, and I feel like I might puke. Then he lets out a big whoop as he fist pumps the air, and relief fills me. "I'm gonna be a dad... again!" he screams to the whole room.

My eyes widen as I burst into giggles. The whole room starts to clap and cheer, Tasha making sure to be the loudest. I love that girl.

Roman takes my face into his hands and places his forehead against mine. "I love you, Princess. You make me so damn happy. Until you, I didn't think I could ever truly love a woman that wasn't my daughter. I think that was because I was waiting for you. And now you're giving me something so precious. I don't deserve you, either of you, but I'm going to spend every day showing just how much I love you both. Thank you for choosing to stay with me that night."

"I wouldn't have had it any other way." I cry as he kisses me hard.

"Stay with me forever?"

I nod, smiling wide. "Forever."

The end