Page 131 of Forever with the CEO

“But you’re our mommy and daddy too,” Jack said.

Annie frowned at him. “No, Jack.” She then quickly looked at us. “We’reasking.”

Oh my God, my heart was melting.

Nick cleared his throat and said, “What do you want to ask, Annie?”

“Can you be our mom and dad?”

Oh my goodness!I’d been doing so well, but now I was certain that I’d simply burst into tears. These two were adorable.

I pulled both of them into me, and they put their little hands on my shoulder and my back. Then I felt Nick encompass us all in a bear hug.

“Yes, we’ll be your parents,” he replied.

“Yes,” I added, but it was strangled.

They both shouted, “Yay!”

When they pulled back, Nick and I rose to our feet. I noticed that his eyes were glassy. He kissed the back of my hand, interlacing our fingers. “Our life is so fucking epic every day, just as you said, babe.”

“I know,” I whispered.

Our guests were clapping as they came to congratulate us. Even though we’d already done this last year, it had a completely different meaning right now, and I soaked up every hug. I didn’t overthink anything; it was simply blissful.

Helen waited until the very end. “My darlings, you two certainly know how to keep me on my toes. I’m very, very happy for you. You’re such a wonderful little family.”

“Thank you, Mom,” Nick said.

“Not to put any pressure on anything, but I’m ready to move to Boston anytime you tell me that you need help with the little ones—or with any more little ones you’re planning.”

I started to laugh. “No pressure,” I whispered.

Nick kissed my temple. “Bah, don’t listen to my family. They have their own ideas and timelines.”

“But they work, don’t they?” Jeannie said, then hugged us.

“I have to say they do,” I replied.

As the twins launched themselves at my mom, Nick said, “Ready to start celebrating?”

I beamed at him. “Yes. I can’t wait. This will be a day to remember.”

Second Epilogue

Nick

Five Years Later

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“Jack, Annie, come on guys. You can’t show David how to climb there. He’s only two.”

Jack and Annie looked at me with fake-innocent expressions.

“Okay,” Annie said.

“Let’s all go to the living room.”

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