The necklace is a sly little test. I present it in its sweet little box, and watch her expression as I open it.
The disappointment is only fleeting, but it’s there.
A necklace not a ring.
But it’s beautiful, and the thinks so too.
“Oh, Nick… Oh my God…”
“A diamond for my sweetheart,” I tell her, and step behind her to fasten it around her neck. “I can’t take the credit,” I admit. “Penny chose it. You’ll have to thank her for her excellent taste.”
“I’m thanking you,” she says. “I’ll show you how much I love it later.”
And then she heads off to find Penny.
Her new-found confidence amazes me.
Everything about her amazes me.
Somehow I think Barbara French really will need to be buying a hat for our big day.
And soon.
Very soon.
I can’t wait until my sweet little Laine Seabourne is sweet little Laine Lynch.
Epilogue
Laine
He tells me my old house is finished. Good as new he says.
I kick off my heels and thank him, but it feels so far away that place.
I guess it will be nice for Mum should she ever come back.
Maybe she’ll be back for Christmas. Maybe I’ll get a text.
Maybe she’ll even come to dinner with Nick and me.
Maybe I don’t really care that much anymore.
I’m excited about my own life now.
I’m excited about finishing up my college course, even though Nick tells me he earns enough for both of us. For all of us. For the children we plan to have and the life we want to lead. Enough for everything.
At least child studies puts me in an alright position to have babies of my own.
I want so many of Nick’s babies.
He says he’s going to redecorate Jane’s room. A new room for new little people when they come along.
He’s already started boxing up her things.
He’s moved her DaDDy drawing to the corkboard in the pantry. I trace my fingers around the letters sometimes, and wonder what it will be like to have a little girl of my own someday.
Nick threw the belt from the study into the fire, said he doesn’t need that anymore either.
He says that discipline doesn’t need to be cruel to be kind, and some rules are made to be broken. That’s life he says.
The thought of his hand on my ass still gives me tickles, and I think that maybe I’ll have to be a naughty girl some time, just to go over his knee again.
I really am dirty these days, and that’s ok too.
I’ve been trying to find a way to tell him. Trying to find a way to show him what I want without it feeling icky.
I mean how icky can it be to play a little when you’ve got someone’s engagement ring on your finger? It doesn’t get much more grown up than that.
I’ve only got a bit of time left before Jane’s pink room is all gone. Her bed is still there and her pink curtains too, but they won’t stay. Not forever.
My pink robe still hangs on the back of the door, even if her fairy castle has been put away in the garage. I have a new robe now, and it’s purple, not pink.
I even have lacy underwear these days too. If I could forgive Kelly Anne enough to speak with her, I’m sure she’d laugh.
I help Nick chop up the vegetables for dinner, and my engagement ring sparkles in the light. I stop to stare and he grabs me from behind, lands hot kisses on the back of my neck until I squeal.
“Less of the magpie act, more chopping please, sweetheart,” he says. “I’m looking forward to an early night.”
I am, too.
I’ve been craving an early night all week.
It’s the right time, my ovulation app tells me so.
I hope tonight’s the night his cum gives me a little baby of our own.
He leads me upstairs when we’re done eating, and I still follow so close to him, ever his little shadow.
His fingers squeeze mine as he heads for our bedroom, but I stop, my heels digging into the carpet.
He turns back and stares at me, his eyes dark in the way I love so much.
“What is it?” he says.
I smile so shyly, and my cheeks burn. My clit so tickly as I think about my guilty little pleasure.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately.
“I just… I was thinking…”
“Spit it out, sweetheart,” he says. “No secrets, remember?”
I nod, then glance at Jane’s door, and he knows. He just knows.
He’s smiling as he steps closer, and I’m smiling too as he hitches up the hem of my dress.
“I see,” he says, and he does see.
His eyes burn as he stares at my plain cotton knickers, white, just as he liked so much.
“Have you been a naughty girl, Laine? Thinking dirty thoughts about Jane’s sweet pink bed?”
My breath hitches. My clit tickles.
“Maybe…” I say.
“Maybe?”
I smile. “Maybe a little…”
I worry that maybe he’s done with this, maybe it will be too weird for him with us trying for a baby and all, and I suddenly feel an idiot for pulling a stunt like this without asking, and maybe I should’ve-His lips stop my mind whirring, and his tongue is so fierce just like it used to be.
He squeezes my nipples, pinching them just enough to make me gasp, and he’s groaning, hard against my belly his thigh presses between mine and rubs.
“We don’t have to…” I begin, just to be sure. “I mean, if it’s weird, Nick, we don’t have to… I just thought… for fun…”
His eyes are darker than I’ve seen them in weeks. His smirk dirty enough to make my tummy tickle.
“Call me Daddy,” he says, and opens the door.
THE END
Acknowledgments
As always, so many people to thank.
My incredible editor, John Hudspith, who really pulled out all the stops on this, as always. Johnny, for real, this was an amazing ride. I couldn’t do this without you.
Letitia Hasser, for the insanely awesome cover. RBA Designs, everyone. Such talent!
Tracy Smith Comerford, for being my constant sounding board and working like a trooper.
Michelle McGinty and Lesley Edwards, for your support as always.
Louise Ramsay, your beta feedback is always so insightful.
My dirty girls and boys, I love you all, and the group makes me smile so hard.
To all the amazing authors I’m lucky enough to call my friends, and all the bloggers and readers who so tirelessly support me. You are all amazing. I’m both grateful and honoured.
My friends, who put up will all my incessant book talk and crazy sleep schedule. Maria, Lisa, Dom, Hanni, Kate, Marie, Tom, Jo, James, Siobhan… some of you so near and some of you so far… I love you all.
My family. Mum, Dad, Brad, Nan, Julie, Jenny, and of course, Jon. You are everything.
To anyone I’ve missed, I’m sorry. I’ve had about four hours sleep this week and my brain is fried.
A huge, huge thanks to my author buddies, Isabella Starling and Demi Donovan, who deserve a mention all of their own.
These ladies, wow. I’ve been lucky enough to have them here for a week of writing, and they have absolutely rocked my world.
I’ve laughed so much my nose literally bled, and I haven’t had a nosebleed since I was a kid.