Destined to Change

Epilogue



Six Months later....



I loved days like today. Days spent with our family down by the pond. The kids were fishing. My and Declan’s parents were there to help keep the kids in line. Jaxon and I were walking around the pond, holding hands, laughing, and enjoying each other.

It seemed like not too long ago, we didn’t believe we would get to this point - the point where we were in love and about ready to have a baby together.

I never believed that I would find love again. After everything that happened with Cade and Stacy, I didn’t think Jaxon and I would end up together. But it seemed like we were meant to be. Everything kinda brought us together. Destiny…maybe?

It was starting to get dark and my parents offered to take the kids home so Jaxon and I could spend some time together. The crickets were chirping their evening lullaby, and the fireflies were sparkling out across the pond. I couldn’t think of a more romantic setting than this.

Jaxon spread an old blanket out on the bank. He sat down and easily pulled me onto his lap. “I am so fat. But you love me anyway, right?”

Jaxon laughed. “Baby, you aren’t fat. You’re having a baby. Our baby. My baby. That makes you the most beautiful woman in the world. Now, shut up and kiss me.”

I did just that. We sat in each other’s arms for a long time, just enjoying the beautiful evening.

All of a sudden, Jaxon started humming a very familiar Elvis song. I smiled as he started to sing I Can’t Help Falling In Love.

While he was singing to me about how he couldn’t help falling in love with me, I turned around in his arms. I had to see that sexy mouth while those words were escaping his lips.

He sang about how this was how we were supposed to be. Life had brought us together and no matter what we had done, it couldn’t have been helped. We were made for each other, made to be together, and made to be the parents of this baby.

Jaxon sang about being a fool and moving too fast, but that he just couldn’t help himself. His feelings were so strong, that it couldn’t be avoided.

I placed soft kisses all along his jaw while he sang. He giggled when I made my way to his mouth. “How am I supposed to keep singing this sweet love song when you’re attacking me with kisses.”

I placed my hands on his shoulders and pressed him down into the blanket. “I guess you’ll just have to stop singing then, won’t ya?”

Very gently, but quickly, he turned me over on my back and started to kiss me. He placed light kisses on my cheeks, across my jaw, down my neck, and started to unbutton my shirt. I stopped him. “Um, no. Not right now. I want to go for a walk.”

He looked up at me through those long dark eyelashes. “Excuse me? A walk? Now?”

I shook my head. “Yes, a walk. Now help me get my fat pregnant butt up off of this blanket.”

He helped me up, and I went to my purse to get something out. I hid it in my pocket as we started walking around the pond. The moon was shining down on the pond, making it glisten. The stars were out. It was a beautiful, clear Missouri night. We were holding hands and slowly walking, not really heading anywhere, just enjoying the view.

When we got to the other side of the pond, I stopped. I turned toward Jaxon and he looked scared. “Everything okay, babe? Is it the baby?”

I hadn’t realized it, but I guess was crying. “Jaxon, I never thought that I could love again. I never truly believed that I was meant to be anything more than a daughter, and a mother. I didn’t even know I wanted you, until you showed up that day - my pierced, tattooed knight in shining armor.”

He was smiling at me. He secretly loved it when I called him that. “You have taken your time with me. And I appreciate you so much for that. I love you Jaxon. Forever and always, I love you.”

He leaned in and wiped the tears from my eyes. “I love you forever and always too, Loralei. There had always been something missing in my life. I just didn’t know what it was, until I met you and the twins. We’re having a baby together now. That’s something I thought I would never be able to do. You have given me that, Lor. We are going to be the parents of three kids, crazy, huh?”

I really didn’t think I could love him more than I already did, but that did it.

I dropped, slowly, I mean I was nine months pregnant, to the ground on one knee.

Jaxon dropped with me. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

“Um, Jaxon, please stand up. I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled it out. I reached up and grabbed his hand. “Jaxon, I love you. I have a question to ask you. I was wondering...would you be interested in being my pierced, tattooed knight in shining armor for the rest of our lives?”

With those words, I pressed a shield charm into his hand. With the initials “J” and “L” engraved on it. “I thought that would be a good addition to my bracelet.”

Jaxon pulled me to my feet. “Babe, don’t you know by now. My answer to you is yes, it’s always yes.” He kissed me, a long, sweet, loving kiss that told me that everything was going to be okay. We were meant to be.

And that is how my destiny was changed forever.