Page 132 of War

“Promise,” he whispers as he reads the word I had inked along my pinky. Next to it, in the spot where my wedding ring sits, is a tattoo that matches his. Our wedding date and three letters beneath it.

W-A-R. It’s a reminder of what he’ll do for me. Who he is. And who I am because of him.

He didn’t play by the rules in order to win me, and I sure as hell threw the rules out the window when it came to our marriage. But let’s be honest: all’s fair in love and war.

EPILOGUE

TWO MONTHS LATER

Tyler

“Daddy!”I swear that might be the sweetest word in the English language. Especially when it’s spoken by the girl with strawberry-blond hair who I can now officially call my daughter.

“Yeah, Josie?”

“Mommy is almost done getting ready.”

“Is there a reason you’re screaming at me?” Grinning, I pull the casserole dish out of the oven and place it on the counter.

“Because it’s Mother’s Day, and I finally have a mother to celebrate.”

Well, shit. When she puts it like that, I wonder if I’ve done enough to honor Ava today. It’s not just a first for Josie, but for Ava too. Then again, the only thing my girls will want is to be together. That’s when they’re happiest. Also when they’re shopping. More so Josie than Ava. Josie loves a good shopping spree.

And vacations.

I’ve got another one of those planned for summer break. Unfortunately, the Bolts season ended after a string of losses in the first roundof the playoffs. It wasn’t how I wanted my first season as captain to go, but I won’t lie and say my heart wasn’t in it. The stress over the last hearing weighed on me heavily, and my focus was here on my family, not on the game. And I wasn’t the only one with a lot on their plate. I also know that we’ll come back stronger next year. Right now, though, I’m not sad about spending more time with my kids and my wife. We need this time to bond, and I’m pumped to break the news that we’ll be spending a few weeks in Canada this summer. I want to show them where I grew up and introduce them to my mom—because introducing my family to a headstone is acceptable, just like texting a loved one who’s passed on. I won’t change my mind on that. And honestly, I just miss my first home.

“Want to go tell everyone brunch is ready?”

With an excited nod, she does a ballerina spin and darts out of the room. She’s been practicing nonstop for her show next week, and I couldn’t be prouder of her.

My wife is also performing, but I’m pretty sure her performance will be a little less risqué than the ones she’s been giving me in our basement after the kids go to bed. Even so, I’m looking forward to it. I’m also looking forward to the end of her classes with fake Frenchie. She’s only taking the summer off, and I’ll gladly support her when she goes back. She loves dancing, and I’d never stop her.

“Is that bacon?” Bray asks as he saunters into the kitchen and plucks a strawberry off the top of the casserole.

“Don’t eat with your hands.”

He laughs. “Okay,Dad.” The word slips out in a sarcastic tone, and for a moment he goes quiet. He was only giving me shit, but suddenly, the moment feels important. But it also feels like if I make a big deal out of it, he’ll get weird on me.

I accept the joke with a simple shrug and smile. “That’s me, Daddy War.”

“Oh god, babe. Don’t refer to yourself as that,” my wife says as she steps into the kitchen with Scarlett in her arms.

“Good morning, mon chou.” I press a kiss to Scarlett’s cheek, then give Ava one too. I woke her up with a happy Mother’s Day surprise between her thighs, so this isn’t the first time I’m seeing her today.

“Go sit down, Mommy. I’ve got French toast casserole and bacon. You do like meat again, right?”

With a snort, she shakes her head. “Yeah. Remember, only pig.”

Once the casserole dish is on the table, ready to be passed around one bite at a time, I lift my glass of orange juice. “To our Ava. Happy Mother’s Day, beautiful. The best decision I ever made was agreeing to your crazy proposal.”

She coughs out a laugh. “Glad we’re sticking to that story.”

I wink at her. “You did ask first.”

She closes her eyes and blows out an exasperated breath.

Like every time I irritate her, I feel all sorts of gooey inside. I love nothing more than pissing off my wife.

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