Epilogue

Epilogue

Seventeen months later

I hold my daughter in my arms as everyone around us sings “Happy Birthday.” I kiss her forehead while humming the tune in her ear. I know I’ve always thought Dani was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, but then came Ellie.

The moment she was born, I was besotted. She’s beyond beautiful. She’s a fucking angel. I don’t know what I did to deserve these two amazing girls in my life, but I’m grateful I have them.

All of our family and friends are here. Apart from my parents. I like to see them separately. It’s easier that way. I haven’t taken Dani and Ellie to visit them much, but they’ve met. Dani’s parents are the complete opposite of mine. Rhonda, her mother, is amazing. She came and stayed with us when Ellie was born. She really helped us settle into parenthood.

“Here, let me have a turn. I miss her,” Rhonda says, reaching for my daughter.

I hate giving her over to other people. If I could tell them all to fuck off and get their own daughter, I would. Except I guess it’s only fair, seeing as I’ve claimed Rhonda’s daughter for myself. I hand her Ellie and wrap an arm around Dani.

“I can’t believe she’s one already. I think it’s time we make another one,” I tell her.

“Not a chance in hell,” she says.

“Why not? Look how perfect we make them,” I say, my eyes glued on Ellie as Dani’s mum and dad dote on her.

“We do make them pretty perfect, don’t we?” Dani sighs.

“So it’s agreed. We’re making another one.” I grin.

“I think we should probably get married first.” She laughs.

“Want me to call the judge? We can be married by midnight,” I tell her.

Dani hasn’t been able to set a date. When she was pregnant, she said she didn’t want to get married until after the baby. Then we had our daughter and she said she wanted to wait until Ellie was a bit older, after she had time to lose the baby weight—which she didn’t even have. Her body is fucking delectable. Now more than ever if you ask me. I suspect she’s afraid of a repeat performance of what she went through with her dipshit ex. Which is exactly why I’ve taken over. She doesn’t know it. But today isn’t just about Ellie’s birthday.

I have a celebrant arriving in an hour. I’ve been on pins and needles, trying to figure out how to tell Dani. I had her friends pick out a dress for her. They promised it would be something she’d love. I want her to have everything, and I know she’s scared. Honestly, so am I. But for a whole different reason. I’m terrified of messing up and losing her.

I’ll be waiting for her to walk down those stairs in a white dress. I will make this woman my wife if it’s the last thing I ever do.

It wasn’t all that long ago that I gave Xavier a lecture about not wanting a prenuptial agreement. But I get it now. I get why people don’t use them. I still think they’re fucking idiots, which is why I’ve typed something up for Dani. It’s more for her than it is for me. It protects her if the worst happens. I don’t want to turn into the same bitter, divorced asshole I represent. I want her to have everything she deserves.

“Come with me. I need you to sign some papers,” I tell her, taking her hand in mine.

“Right now? It can’t wait?” she asks.

“No, it’s important.” I lead her into the home office and pull the documents out of the drawer. “Before you read this, I want you to know it’s for you, not me. I don’t need it. I just want you to know that. I need you to know that. I also need you protected. For you and Ellie to never want for anything,” I tell her.

“What is it?” She takes the paperwork in her hand and unfolds it while her eyes scan over the details. “Alistair, this is a prenup,” she says.

“I know. I wrote it,” I tell her.

“Okay, but why? I mean, I knew we’d need one when we got married, but we don’t even have a date yet. Why are you nervous? I would not expect you to marry me without a prenup, you know,” she says before plucking a pen from my desk and signing her name across the bottom of the page. “I want you, Alistair, not your things, not your money, and not your business. I just want you.”

“Like I said, this is for you, not me. If anything does happen, this is ironclad. You’ll get eighty percent of everything.”

“What? No, that’s ridiculous and don’t for a second think you’re leaving me. Ever. Married or not, Alistair Warner, you are mine.” She folds her arms over her chest.

“I am yours. Always. And I want it to be legal, which is why I have a celebrant arriving in forty minutes,” I tell her, my eyes flicking to the time on my watch.

“You what? No, I can’t get married today. I don’t even have a dress.”

“The girls got you one. We are getting married today, Dani. We can do it in here, with just us, the celebrant, and your parents as witnesses. If that’s what you want. Or we can go out to the garden and get married in front of all our friends and family.”

“You’re serious?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“What if… what if you change your mind. Alistair, what if you get up there in front of everyone and can’t do it,” she whispers with her eyes cast to the floor.

I tilt her chin upwards. “I’m not him, Dani. I will never leave you, married or not.”

“Promise?” she asks.

“I promise. You’re stuck with me,” I tell her.

“Good, because I kind of like you a little bit.” She laughs.

“Are you okay? What do you want to do? In here or out there.” I gesture a thumb over my shoulder in the direction of the garden.

“Out there,” she says.

“Perfect. Come on. Those friends of yours have been dying while trying to keep this secret from you.”

“Wait… just… you’re really sure, right? No second thoughts?” she asks me again.

“Not a single one. I’m one hundred percent certain I’m making you Mrs Alistair Warner today.”

Dani’s smile lights up her whole face.