I never thought we’d get a second chance at our happy ending, but now there’s no question about it.
This girl is my forever.
Epilogue: Ashley
It’sChristmasEveandalso Gavin and Bobby’s birthday.
The ranch still feels like a crime scene and probably will for the foreseeable future. We decided to spend the holidays at Bobby’s penthouse instead.
Gavin and I are in one of the guest suites, and his parents are in another. I understand that there are two additional ones, plus the master that Bobby shares with Savanna.
I was nervous that it would be awkward for me to attend the festivities, but everyone has been exceptionally welcoming. I was also terrified that Gavin’s family would blame me for what happened, but they don’t – at least, not to my face.
“It’s too bad Daisy couldn’t come,” I say to Gavin.
He’s sitting on the bed and I’m buttoning up his shirt, being careful of his injured arm. It’s killing him not to be able to work how he usually does, but his body and mind both need the downtime.
“I’m glad that Daisy made it, but I still can’t believe I agreed to a petcow. Jesus. What have you done to me?”
“Love softens a man,” I reply, “Even when his girl wants a cow.”
We’re meeting everyone in the main living area soon. We have to give Bobby and Gavin their gifts and exchange one Christmas present early, which is a holiday tradition for the Henderson family.
Gavin stands up and kisses me softly, murmuring that he loves me against my lips.
“I love you, too. And I have something to tell you before we go out there.”
“What’s up, babe?” he asks, a sexy grin on his lips.
“Remember when we were in California?”
“How could I forget? It’s when you professed your undying love for me and agreed to move to cow town permanently.”
“There was that,” I agree, letting out a shaky breath because I have no idea how he’s going to react to my news. “But something else happened when we were there.”
He frowns. “Are you still talking about those goddamn marshmallows?”
“They were good. Better than good. But no. Something else.”
I push him back on the bed and sit on his thigh, setting my hand on his chest. He wraps his good arm around my waist and nuzzles into my neck.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing… Exactly.”
A million different scenarios fly through my mind all at once. No matter what, Gavin won’t abandon me. He’s proved that fact over and over and over again. But I don’t want to hurt him or make him live with any regrets.
“Babe, just tell me,” he says. “You’re freaking me out.”
I take a deep breath, and the words rush out on an exhale. “Gavin, I’m pregnant.”
He blinks several times, his face going slack while he processes the very unexpected new development in our lives together.
“In California, we had sex without a condom like we always do, but… The timing was right to make a baby and I… We were just so frantic, so lost in the moment that I wasn’t thinking and… I… I’m so sorry that I forgot to remind you about a condom. A big part of me just didn’t believe I could get pregnant anyway. Jesus, I took like eighteen tests and I…”
He cuts me off with a kiss that steals my breath, his lips firm and insistent against mine. He pushes me back onto the bed and climbs on top of me, my legs instantly wrapping around his waist while he grinds his hard cock into me.
It wasn’t the response I was expecting, but I couldn’t be more thrilled that he’s happy – very happy – with the surprise.