Epilogue

Kelly

Five Months Later

Ican't believe how my life has changed in the past few months. It took some time to process everything that happened after Talon shot the Carver Killer. I'd never seen anyone die, especially up close in such an awful manner, but it didn't change how I feel about Talon one bit. He saved mine and Anabel's life that day, and I am forever grateful.

Anabel is out of the long-term care facility, she's still living in a group home with other women who have a history of abuse, but it's a homier environment and not institutional. She's now living just outside of San Bernardino, I guess she wanted a clean break from Salinas County, and I'm not surprised.

I'm still working at the Bluebird Women's Shelter and still loving my job. Thanks to Mattie and Cleo, our ties with CPS are stronger and we often work together in placing vulnerable families. When my rental lease ran out, I moved into Talon's place. I was practically living there, full time anyway. We're in his cabin in the woods and we couldn't be happier. The rooms that the prospects were staying in have been redecorated and it's looking more like a family home and less like a frat house. When we repainted one of the smaller rooms Talon took me totally by surprise when he said it would make a perfect nursery. We've not really talked about the future much, and I do sometimes wonder if he's still worried about things moving too quickly. The nursery comment really got to me though, I knew in the ten years he'd been with Sandra, they'd never considered having kids and I had wondered if this was because he hadn't wanted them. The fact that he mentioned it has been playing around in my mind.

Also playing around in my mind is Talon—he's been acting a bit strange over the past month. I've not had any reason to distrust him, as I know my man is honest as the day is long. But still, I can't shake off the feeling that something isn't quite right. Today's Sunday, but instead of having a lazy morning in bed, he told me he needed to get up early to deal with some business. Sometimes he does work strange hours, and as he owns his construction firm, if there's a problem onsite, he has to oversee. So, my morning of lazy sex ended up with me sleeping alone when he left at five.

It's now nine and I think I can hear some noise downstairs, so I take a quick shower and get dressed. I'm tempted to go down in just my birthday suit—but throw on a robe in case the noise I hear is some of his club brothers dropping by for a day of fishing on the lake.

I'm standing at the top of the stairs when I smell the aroma of bacon frying. I'm halfway down the stairs when I see it, there are red rose petals scattered over the wooden floorboards. It's like a winding floral path for me to follow. My heart is racing as I skip down the rest of the stairs and follow it out to the wraparound porch where Talon is sitting at the wrought iron bistro-style table we have set up there for breakfast. Today there's a fancy white tablecloth and he's sitting there with a huge smile on his face.

"What's the occasion?" I ask, as I sit down opposite him.

"Can't a man treat his woman once in a while?" Talon answers, and gestures to the plate of food in front of me. "Blueberry pancakes, hickory smoked bacon and maple syrup for starters."

My stomach is rumbling in anticipation, "My favorite, but don't tell me you cooked all this?"

He laughs, "You know me well. I can't take all the credit. I can fry up bacon, but Harvey helped with the pancakes and the cinnamon rolls."

Damn!My eyes widen as I finally take in the spread in front of me. As well as the bacon and pancakes, and the cinnamon rolls, there's a carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice, French press coffee, some exotic-looking fruit salad, and a small metal cloche. My eyes fix on that, wondering what's under it.

"That's for dessert," Talon says following my gaze.

"It's a good job I'm feeling ravenous today," I answer.

"I notice you were a bit picky the past week or so."

I leave that comment unanswered, I have been a bit preoccupied lately, but I don't want to spoil our lovely breakfast with my news, so I change the subject. "You've cooked enough for three, is Harvey joining us?" The prospect with gourmet aspirations is still living in the outbuilding, the little cabin has an extra bedroom, so he still has space if any other prospects need to bunk up for a night or two—but the main cabin is now a prospect-free territory.

Talon laughs, "That prospect may be MasterChef material but I ain't having him as a third wheel today."

I tuck in, enjoying the savory sweet combination of the bacon and maple syrup. The pancakes were to die for. We make short work of everything, though as I want to taste a bit of all the delights, we'll definitely have some leftovers. I'll pack a to-go bag for Harvey later on and take it down to him. I know the prospects love to help, but he deserves a treat too.

It's not long before I'm wiping the corners of my mouth on the napkin—a freaking starched napkin no less—when my eyes go to the silver cloche.

"You ready for dessert?" Talon asks, I'm not sure if I'm imagining it, but his voice sounds a bit apprehensive.

"I'll give it a decent try," I say, thankful I'm wearing a robe and not my jeans as they're already getting a little snug. "But I'm full to bursting."

He lifts the lid, and instead of some fancy French patisserie that I was expecting, I see a black velvet box.

Before I know what's happening, Talon drops onto one knee and opens the ring box. "I know we haven't known each other long, but I know all the way down to my bones that you're the only woman who can ever make me happy. I want it all with you, kids, growing old together… everything. Will you marry me, Kelly?"

"Yes!" I exclaim. My heart is racing and there are tears of happiness running down my face. I know he's been preoccupied with something, I thought maybe it was work, or some secret club business he didn't want me to know about. But this? Talk about blindsided.

I pull the ring out of the box and slip it onto my finger, admiring the way the diamond catches the sunlight. "It's beautiful."

"You're beautiful," Talon says as he rounds the table and kisses me.

In that moment I feel that my life is almost complete. I say almost, because I'm still a bit worried about what I have to tell him.

"Woah!" I exclaim as suddenly, my big, strong fiancé scoops me up and starts to carry me towards the cabin.

"It's Sunday, we're a million miles away from everything. What say, we switch off our phones and we spend the rest of the day in bed celebrating?"

That sounds just about perfect for me. Obviously, I know Talon needs to be reached, but if there's anything urgent, then I guess Harvey will come and fetch us—same goes for the shelter and me—hopefully nothing is going to disturb our day.

I'm lying on the bed looking up as I watch Talon start to peel off his t-shirt. Every time I see his body, it's like the first time and I'm momentarily breathless. My hand goes to the pocket of my robe, I know it might be the wrong moment, but I've got to tell him. After his wonderful proposal, I can't start our journey together holding something back from him.

"Talon," I start hesitantly.

"What's up sweetheart," he asks.

"You know I'm on the contraceptive pill?"

"Uh-huh," he says, his hands pause on the button of his jeans.

"What you said earlier about… kids. When do you see them in our future?"

"We've got years to decide. I'm gonna let you set the pace, I know how important the work at the shelter is for you. Whenever your ready—"

I cut him off. "The pill isn't one hundred percent effective, what if kids happened sooner, rather than later?"

My hand reaches into my robe pocket, and I pull out the white test I've been carrying around. My cycle isn't always regular and when I missed the first month I wasn't overly concerned. But when I skipped another, I did a test. And another test. And a third, and they all say exactly the same thing.

"I'm gonna be a dad?" he asks, looking all kinds of stunned.

"Yes," I answer cautiously. "I'm just over eight weeks gone."

The smile on his face says everything, and all the anxiety I've been carrying around melts. In this moment, my life feels like it's coming together. We might not have known each other for long, but I'm marrying the man of my dreams and having his baby.

When he came to my rescue that night almost eight months ago, I had no idea that he was my destiny. I can't wait for us to start our married life together.

He leans close and captures my lips, the kiss is slow and sensual as his hand trails down and cups my belly. I'm not showing yet, but I feel the life growing inside me. His lips move to my neck, and I moan in anticipation.

"Thank you," he whispers against my skin. "I love you, Kelly."

"I love you, Talon," I murmur back.

As I drift off into a world of pleasure, my last coherent thoughts are of Talon and how lucky I am to have him come to my rescue, not once, not twice, but three times.

My big, strong protector. Now and forever.

THE END