Page 91 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

Hot tears leaked down my cheeks and fell on his reassuring hands. I nodded and let him lead me the rest of the way. There we stood together under the pergola. The twinkle lights made it feel as if we had entered a fairy land.

Miles bent on one knee and took me by the hand.

“Aspen, the truth is that you are like a dream come to life. In every second we share together, you captivate me and scare the bloody hell out of me all at once. I know I will never be the man you deserve.” He used the same beautiful words from the first time he kissed me. “Despite how unworthy I am of you, I would like to propose a new contract, even more binding than the last one.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an enchanting filigree ring that sparkled under the lights. He held the beautiful ring between his finger and thumb before offering it to me. “Please do me the honor of agreeing to be not only my wife, but mother to my nephew. I, in return, will promise to be your faithful husband and loving father to Chloe and Henry.”

I was so choked up I could hardly utter, “Yes. Yes. Yes, to all of it.”

He placed the ring on my finger before standing up and kissing me gently. His tenderness bled through my lips. “I love you, Aspen,” he whispered against my mouth, this time as if it was a secret he no longer wished to keep to himself. “Shall we go celebrate with our children and your family and friends? They are all waiting for us in the main house.”

I kissed his lips. “I think I would like to privately celebrate for a little bit longer.”

“I am happy to accommodate you,” he groaned.

Best. News. Ever.EpilogueEight Months Later

You would have thought we were running a fancy day care instead of getting ready for a wedding—my wedding, to be precise—with all the babies and children running around. We had overtaken Emma’s old bedroom in the main house at the Ranch. I smiled at the chaotic scene around me. Emma was nursing her daughter, Shannon Elaine, while Chloe held Shannon’s twin, Dane Anders. Meanwhile, Shelby was changing her daughter, Maribelle’s, diaper for the second time in a half hour. To add to the fun, Henry was in his tux chasing Elliott around with a plastic sword. Jenna was doing her best to keep the chaos down as much as possible, running here and there in her pink organza bridesmaid dress. I chose pink for my wedding colors to honor Emma’s mom.

Thankfully, Oscar and Molly were there to do our hair and makeup. Molly had even designed my dress. The gorgeous trumpet antique lace dress with the most romantic train was hung up in the bathroom, away from the children.

Oscar was putting the final touches on my braided crown updo. He left some loose pieces to fall around my face. “You are breathtaking, lovey.” He smoothed the last curl.

Molly applied a pink tint to my lips as the final touch.

I stared in the vanity mirror, hardly believing this was happening and that I could ever look so elegant. Henry took a break from chasing Elliott and crawled onto my lap. “I’m bored,” he exclaimed.

I kissed his nose. “It’s nice to meet you, bored.”

“Mum, my name is not bored.”

I loved when he called me mum. I think he started doing it because that’s what Chloe called me, but whatever the reason, I cherished it. I felt like it made Sophie happy. Of course, Henry still talked about his mummy and daddy, and we encouraged it. Miles made sure to tell him stories about Sophie every day so he would never forget her.

Elliott took Henry’s sword, so Henry was off again on the chase.

I stood and took little Dane from Chloe so Oscar and Molly could work their magic on my beautiful daughter, who was now officially a teenager and boy crazy. Boy band posters littered her bedroom walls and I was monitoring her texts like a mad woman. I kissed my daughter’s cheek before she could get too far.

“You look beautiful, Mom.”

“Thank you, baby girl.” I smiled, thinking of the present Miles had for her later today after the ceremony. He was going to ask Chloe if he could officially adopt her. I had to stop thinking about it or I was going to ruin my makeup. For the first time in Leland’s life, he was going to do the right thing and relinquish his rights to Chloe. It had taken forever to track him down. I had to go through Kylie’s parents. Sadly, I think he was relieved that’s why I was contacting him. It made me more grateful for the way Miles loved Chloe as if she were his own.

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