The Reunion(121)

She pulls me in by the belt loop. “And who would that girl be?”

I tug on a strand of her hair. “I think you know who it is.”

Her eyes search mine, and in them I see the girl I first fell for so many years ago. “I’m sorry for everything.”

I shake my head. “No need to apologize. I’m grateful you took a second to figure it all out, because I really do want to be with you, Palmer. I want to see where this takes us.”

“Me too.”

“Because I have a feeling about you. A good one.”

She smiles. “I was just telling my parents the same thing about you.”

“So does that mean, after all these years, I can finally say Palmer Chance is my girlfriend?”

“I think you can, Dr. Beau.” She lifts up onto her toes and pulls me down to her mouth.

Without hesitation, I press my lips to hers and loop my arm around her waist. The feeling of being weightless takes over as her mouth molds with mine.

This is what I want—her, in my arms, with nothing between us.

When she pulls away, she says, “I’m going to move into my parents’ house. They’re signing it over to me, but until they move out, we’ll be staying at your place. I don’t need the doctor examining me with my parents two rooms down.”

I chuckle. “I can’t disagree with that.” I bend down and press another kiss to her lips before I take her hand in mine and walk back to the party, where we join Larkin, Ford, and her parents on the dance floor. “Unchained Melody” plays in the background, and as the sun finally sets, I can see it.

The wife.

The family.

The life.

Right here, with Palmer at my side the entire time.





EPILOGUE





FORD


“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Dad says. “You may kiss the bride.”

Cooper cups Nora’s face, and their mouths lock as the intimate ceremony erupts in cheers.

The sun sets behind their kiss, the lake stretching out behind them acting as a backdrop.

After traveling around the world for two years on and off—Cooper still working for Watchful Wanderers and Nora still baking—they finally decided to settle down and get married. They didn’t want anything big, just a small wedding at the house that Palmer and Beau have been renovating over the last year. Something about the ancient tile not being up to code for their baby, who’s supposed to be born any day now.

“May I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Cooper Chance,” Dad says.

They raise their hands, and we offer them one more cheer before they head down the aisle.

I take Larkin’s hand in mine and hold our sleeping baby close to my chest as we make our way down the aisle, right behind an extremely pregnant Palmer, who’s been dealing with her extremely overprotective doctor husband. Ever hear of a helicopter mom? Well, Palmer has a helicopter husband. I think she’ll be grateful when the baby is finally out, so she won’t have to deal with Beau checking her vitals and watching over her every second of every day.

Dad and Mom follow close behind us, slower than normal, but Dad is still thriving at the fitness center. He’s made great progress in staying strong and taking care of his diagnosis. The high-rise they’re living in is only a few blocks from Cooper and Nora, and they’ve become the official grandparents of the building. Not only do they have Nora and Cooper checking in on them, but they have the entire floor helping them out as well. And because their building is amazing, the management planted a garden on the roof just for Mom. They’ve been thriving, and whenever they’re tired of the city, they take the ferry to Marina Island and stay with Palmer and Beau for a few days.

As for Larkin and me, well, we have a baby boy, and we’re currently in the process of receiving our foster parent certification. We want a big family and are hoping to move to Seattle in the coming months to be closer to the family. We’re actually moving the entire headquarters to Seattle, which has been a task on its own, but well worth it, since our branding seems to match better with the area. Branding that Cooper has been smashing with his team. With the new stores and our new “experience” with the live snakes, and more hands-on classes, we’ve really taken the market by storm, and let’s just say . . . we’re all sitting pretty right now.

“Beautiful job, Dad,” I say as we make it to the tent.

“Thank you. Took quite an effort to not cry. Marrying all three of my kids has been the honor of a lifetime.”

“Something we’ll never forget,” I say, bringing Larkin’s knuckles to my lips.

“How’s our baby boy?” Mom says, cooing at Jacob.

“He’s good. Passed out after a long battle before the ceremony.”

“We couldn’t have timed that better,” Larkin adds.

“Beau, I love you so much, but I swear to Christ, if you touch me one more time, I’m going to punch you in your baby maker,” Palmer says, waddling up to us, hand on her enormous belly.

“Listen to her.” Larkin points at her brother. “I know how she feels.”

Beau holds up his hands. “I’m just trying to be helpful.”

I grip Beau by the shoulder. “You may be a doctor, but nothing is helpful at this stage. They’d prefer if you don’t even breathe near them.”