Page 79 of Need Me
Epilogue
Brooke had never been sohappy. Her feelings for Robert grew deeper every day, and pretty soon she knew that if he asked her to be his wife again she’d sayyes.
They had visited Liam’s grave together and she’d helped Robert commission some large photos of them both for his walls. She was so proud of how he was dealing with his grief and he no longer avoided children orbabies.
The day that all the McIntyre triplets were discharged, the sweetest, most poignant homecoming party was thrown by their family and friends. Anna’s parents were staying with them for at least a month to help and they’d been instrumental in planning the surpriseparty.
As soon as Chase and Anna had left for the hospital that July morning, Anna’s father, Evan had sent out a mass text giving everyone the all-clear. People had begun arriving shortly afterward. Three brand-new bassinets were lined up in the large living room, complete with baby quilts embroidered with each of the babies’names.
Anna’s mother, Sarah, had begun baking as soon as Anna and Chase had gotten in their car. The triplets’ medical staff was in on the surprise and would do their best to delay the babies’ release so that the final preparations could be put into place. All kinds of food dishes were brought by the participants and hilarity ensued as decorations werehung.
Brooke watched Robert as he hung streamers from the dining room ceiling. She was glad that he was making so much progress regarding Liam’s loss. Being around babies and kids made him remember the happy times he and Liam shared. Plus he’d accepted the role of godfather to Kate and Ric’sbaby.
She loved hearing his stories about Liam and looking at the pictures of him and Robert together. It made her feel as though she knew the wonderful little boy she would’ve been proud to be a motherto.
Robert would never be as boisterous as Chase or as assertive as Tyler and Ric. However, there was a new, quiet confidence about him that appealed to Brooke much more than those other traits ever would. She’d once had a Flash Gordon, but he’d lacked the substance that Brooke needed in herlife.
Seeing Robert laugh when Tucker dropped a whole roll of white crepe paper, Brooke thought that she much preferred superheroes like Superman. The ones who possessed humility and a genuine concern for their fellowman.
The kind of man she could always count on to cheer her up by talking in a foreign accent after a bad day. The kind of guy who’d talked her into learning how to ride a horse and encouraged her to stick with climbing. And the sort of lover who gave her almost more excitement and passion than she couldhandle.
She swore that Robert must’ve memorized the whole Kama Sutra with the way he sometimes twisted her up like a pretzel. Other times, their lovemaking was simple and sweet. Either way, the act of love was always thrilling with Robert, the most heroic man sheknew.
He just happened to wear rock-climbing gear instead of a tights and a cape. That suited Brooke just fine since she loved Robert’s glasses so much. Maybe it was because they framed the warmest, most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen on a man. Or maybe it was because they made him look like a hotprofessor.
They’d discussed marriage and babies a few times, but they were both happy with the progression of their relationship. It was a lot like rock climbing, Brooke thought. Rushing might make them miss the strong handholds along the way to thesummit.
If they didn’t take their time and make sure that their footing was firm, they could slip and fall. No, trying to hurry would only bring disaster. It was much better to take it one step at a time and enjoy the view along the journey. Only by doing that would they achieve their goals and capture true happiness. In the meantime, she was perfectly happy to be patient and let things happen when the time wasright.
* * *
It wasthe quietest homecoming party Robert had ever attended, but the most beautiful. He stood in front of the bassinets, watching the three babies sleep while low conversation filled the house. He smiled as he heard Chase and his sister, Brenda, whisper-yelling at each other aboutsomething.
A few weeks ago, she’d moved from LA to Cooper’s Creek to breathe life back into their grandparents’ empty farm. Unlike Chase, Brenda was abrasive, short-tempered, and fierce. Yet, Robert liked her, even sensed a kindred spirit with her in a way. There was pain lying beneath thesurface.
Underneath that tough exterior, he sensed a vulnerable woman who needed the same things that most people did. He suspected that the most important thing she craved was love, but she didn’t know how to articulate thatneed.
Apparently, she and Chase’s argument had concluded because she appeared at Robert’s side. Robert hid a smile at the way she stared pensively at thebabies.
“Everyone goes crazy over babies, but I just don’t see why,” shewhispered.
Robert’s eyebrows climbed high on his forehead. “Oh?”
“Yeah. They’re noisy, smelly, and need to be fed constantly. They just suck the life out of people.” She shrugged and tucked a lock of dark brown hair behind her ear. “Still, if anyone ever hurts one of them, I’ll kill them and enjoy doing it.” Her almost black eyes, so like Chase’s sparkled with dark humor when she looked atRobert.
Robert laughed silently while she grinned and moved away. Brooke stepped into the space that Brenda had just vacated and he put his arm around her shoulders. “Aren’t theyadorable?”
“Yes, theyare.”
He noticed that she glanced at the gauge on Twinkle’s oxygen monitor. Super Nurse was always on the alert. When the time came, Robert knew that Brooke would be just as vigilant and loving with their children. Not that he was in a hurry, but he definitely saw things heading in thatdirection.
Embracing Brooke, Robert felt a contentment he’d never known before. The woman in his arms was the cause of it and he thanked whatever higher power existed for her. She was everything he could want in a woman and she was exactly what he needed. She constantly inspired, encouraged, and supported him, and he made sure he provided her with all those things inreturn.
“I can’t believe that Chase invited Simon to the party,” Brooke said. “Or that Tyler has been so calm about Simon moving back hereunannounced.”
Robert nodded. “Maybe they’re starting to see that people can atone for the wrong they’ve done in their lives. We all make mistakes, but it’s how we face up to them that count. I admire him for wanting to know hisdaughter.
Simon just wants to be more involved in Hayley’s life and he can’t do that out on a ship in the middle of the ocean. He was smart to sneak in under the radar, so to speak. If Ty had gotten wind of Simon’s plans, he would’ve tried to prevent Simon from returning. That wouldn’t have been a goodsituation.”
