Epilogue

EPILOGUE

brOOK

S even weeks later…

“No running, sunshine!”

Whoops .

One would think she’d have learned by now. In the past six weeks, she’d gotten in trouble more times than she could count for running through the house. It was just so easy to do. The wide hallways and open living room gave Brook all the space she could possibly want to run, skip, and hop through the beautiful hardwood-floored home.

“Sorry, Daddy!” she called back as she skidded to a halt in front of the front door.

After a quick check through the peephole, which she’d also learned a hard lesson about using, she swung the door open to reveal some of her very best friends. Their Daddies lingered behind them, looking lovingly at their Little girls. It was the same way Storm looked at her. As if she was his entire world and the best thing to ever happen to him.

“Brook!” Carlee squealed at the same time as Brook screamed hers.

Carlee, Eden, Remi, Harper, and Brook shared a group hug before she invited everyone inside.

She and Storm had been living together since he’d gotten the keys six weeks ago, and tonight they were hosting their first BBQ.

“I can’t believe how beautiful this place is,” Remi commented. “Are you sure Storm picked it out himself?”

Storm scoffed as he strode into the entryway, though an easy smile played at his lips. The man was still grumpy and growly, one of the things Brook loved so much, about him but he was smiling more and more with each passing day.

“I have excellent taste, brat,” he told Remi, keeping his eyes fixed on Brook.

Remi stuck her tongue out at him and giggled, getting a swat from Kade behind her.

“What happens to Little girls who stick their tongue out?” Kade asked her.

The way Remi’s cheeks turned bright pink was adorable, and Brook had to cover her mouth with her hand to hide the grin spreading across her face. She’d never get tired of the playful banter between the Daddies and the Littles. Of course, in her opinion, the Littles were much better at it.

“Can I show them my playroom, Daddy?” Brook asked Storm.

She already knew she could. She’d asked him half a dozen times as they prepared for the BBQ, but Brook was just so excited to show them what her Daddy had created for her.

“Yes,” Storm replied, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck before they could take off. “But if I catch you running again tonight, we’ll be making a special trip to our bedroom. Are we clear?”

Offering a bright, innocent smile, Brook bobbed her head. “Crystal clear, Daddy. No running. Got it. Check and check.”

He narrowed his gaze and arched one of his stern eyebrows. “Being sassy isn’t a good idea for the protection of your bottom, either, sunshine.”

Sheesh. He was awfully strict. And she absolutely loved it. It was rare she went a full day without getting her bottom warmed, but she wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Sorry, Daddy,” she murmured.

“Good girl.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, then gave her a firm swat as she turned to lead the other girls upstairs.

“That’s a spare bathroom over there,” she pointed to one of the first doors on the second landing. “Then there’s a guest room, and across from that is Daddy’s office. At the end of the hall is my playroom and then next to it is our bedroom.”

Her friends peeked in each doorway, making squeals of excitement as they took it all in. Most of the house was already furnished, though they still had some things to add.

After they moved in, Storm and some of his friends had painted the entire place, changing the interior from a gross brown to a rich cream that she loved. The only room that wasn’t that color was her special room.

When they got to the last door, she pushed it open and stepped in, beaming proudly. She’d had nothing to do with the décor or paint. That had all been her Daddy, but he’d totally nailed it.

“Oh my gosh, I love the pink walls,” Remi gasped as she looked around. “And the bed, it’s made for a princess.”

It really was. Between the white metal frame and the tulle hanging from the ceiling, creating a sheer curtain, it was magical. And even though she never slept in it, she’d turned it into her favorite place to read.

Carlee instantly went to the bookshelves set up in the corner and scanned through the books. On the floor in front of them was a large beanbag with fuzzy blankets and pillows situated on it. That was Brook’s second favorite place to read.

“This is the biggest Barbie house I’ve ever seen,” Harper whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the waist-high doll house.

“Daddy had it custom-made. Isn’t it perfect?”

She watched as her friends walked around, taking everything in and complimenting her on all of it . The past six weeks, her love for her Daddy grew more and more because every detail he’d put into it had been so thoughtful and completely spot on.

Carlee sniffled, and when Brook turned to look at her friend, she froze because there were tears pooling in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Brook asked, concerned.

“Nothing. I’m just so happy for you,” Carlee explained, wiping her cheek. “You look so happy, and so does Storm. I miss him living at the clubhouse, but after seeing all of this, I’m thrilled for both of you.”

A lump formed in Brook’s throat. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her closest friend, squeezing her tightly.

“I never would have found the Daddy of my dreams if it weren’t for you, Carlee. Thank you for introducing us.”

The two girls embraced each other for a long moment, only pulling away when Storm appeared. “Appetizers are ready,” he announced.

His gaze zeroed in on them, concern etched on his face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Shaking her head, Brook went to him and slid her hands around his waist, clinging to him. “Nothing, Daddy. They’re happy tears.”

Carlee and the other Littles filed out of the beautiful room, leaving the two of them alone.

“Happy tears?”

She nodded. “Yeah, Daddy. Thank you for giving me everything I could have ever hoped for.”

He studied her for a second, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. When he finally spoke, his voice was rough. “I should be the one thanking you, sunshine. You’ve given me a purpose in life. A reason to breathe. I was just a shell before I met you.”

They held each other for a few minutes until her tears dried, and then he took her by the hand and led her out of the perfect room.

“Let’s go entertain our friends, baby girl.”

Nodding, she followed him downstairs. Before they entered the kitchen, Storm stopped and turned toward her. “Don’t even think about starting a food fight with the cake tonight. Understood?”

Warmth spread through her as her tummy fluttered with excitement. Offering him an innocent smile, she lifted a shoulder. “I wouldn’t even consider doing something like that, Daddy. I don’t know why you’d think so.”

His dark gaze pierced right through her. “Uh huh. This is your only warning, Little girl.”

“’Kay, Daddy.”

After studying her with a weary expression for a few seconds, he turned and they continued to the kitchen.

As soon as they rounded the corner, Brook met Carlee’s gaze, grinning at each other with mischief written all over their faces before glancing at the cake sitting on the counter. She couldn’t be positive, but Brook was pretty sure her best friend was thinking the same thing as her.

It was going to be a good night.

Icing and all.

And the fun would totally be worth the spanking that would follow.

Because Brook knew no matter how naughty she was, how moody she was, how much of an introvert she was, her Daddy would love her through it all.

“Daddy,” she whispered.

He glanced down at her and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. “Yeah, sunshine?”

“I love you.”

Without pause or hesitation, Storm cupped her chin and lowered his mouth to hers. “I love you, too, baby. With all my heart.”

And even though she felt the same way, she knew she’d love him even more tomorrow.

“Let’s raise a toast,” Storm announced.

Everyone gathered around the gleaming kitchen island, some holding beer bottles while others had sippy cups. It was an odd mix of drinks, yet it was perfect for the Shadowridge Guardians.

“To friends who have become family and Little girls who make our lives better.” Storm kept his gaze on her as he spoke. “Cheers.”

“Cheers!”

Then, one by one, they all tapped their drinks together.

“To us,” Storm whispered in her ear.

She grinned up at him, her heart squeezing so tight. “To us, Daddy, forever.”