DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter Distance: Epilogue
6 Months Later…
The door crashes open as Maddie comes barreling in. With her arms flung open wide, excitement bubbles off her, like the bright blonde curls bouncing around her shoulders.
“Where’s my niece? Auntie Maddie needs snuggles,” she says stopping as she reaches me. Tiny Darcy is nestled between my arms, wrapped in a pale pink blanket, making the cutest little piggy noises as she sleeps soundly.
“Oh my God, Sienna, she is gorgeous. A perfect mix of you and Keller,” she gushes, tears welling in her eyes.” Can I?” She motions to hold Darcy.
“Of course, you can. Hey Baby, want to meet your Auntie Maddie?” I coo to Darcy.
She takes a seat on the couch next to me. As I carefully place Darcy in her arms, Maddie cuddles her into her chest. She’s a natural.
I can hear Keller and Grayson chatting away, beer in hand at the kitchen island. I don’t think Maddie has even realized they’re here yet. Grayson clears his throat and Maddie’s eyes snap to his, a small smile forming on her lips. Her expression is almost sad as she immediately focuses back on Darcy.
As soon as we got back from Vegas, I moved straight into Keller’s new home. Our home.
We designed and decorated every room from scratch. It’s perfect. The home already had an old worldly vibe that I wanted to keep, but also modernize. We went for darker colors to match the dark oak flooring. Our kitchen is a beautiful midnight blue with gold features, which almost makes me want to cook every night. Keller even installed a wall to ceiling bookcase in the lounge for me, with all my favorite spicy reads taking center stage.
Every last detail is perfect.
Keller cocks an eyebrow at me. I know what he’s thinking. We’ve been debating for weeks when these two would finally get together. So far, nothing. Keller’s adamant Grayson is a no go on relationships, but I’m always quick to remind him of how his own life changed. He now has the family he never dreamed he deserved.
Seeing the way he dotes over Darcy makes my heart feel full. The giant and his tiny princess, she has him wrapped around her finger at only a few days old. I knew she would. Beneath his rock hard exterior, he’s a softie. Christ, he spent my whole pregnancy waiting on me hand and foot. It was bliss, massages on demand, and gorgeous home cooked Italian meals every day. He’d even sit and speak to her through my belly, telling her every night how much we loved her.
I give him a soft smile and he gives me one of his sexy winks in return. God, only five more weeks before I have the all clear to jump him. I’ve missed him in that respect.
“So Maddie, anything new going on in your life?” I quiz her.
“Well, I have a second date tonight with Gregory. He’s taking me to that new Mexican restaurant in Times Square.” She gushes as Grayson coughs his beer out in response.
Interesting.
“So Gregory has the potential to be ‘the one’?” I say, wiggling my eyebrows at her. Her face blushes. She’s completely avoiding Grayson and Keller, who are both now staring dead at her.
“He’s exactly what I think I need, so yeah, I guess there is potential.” I can hear the hesitation in her voice.
As I go to respond, Keller stands up and puts his beer down on the coffee table, bee lining straight to me. Every damn time he enters my personal space, I melt. He totally consumes me. I’m sure I’m obsessed and always will be.
Leaning down, he places a sweet kiss on my forehead.
“I have to meet Elijah now quickly, Baby. He’s spending big bucks hiring out The End Zone on a Saturday Night for his and Samantha’s wedding party. It’s only right I meet him in person.”
I know he doesn’t want to leave. But since leaving his old life behind, he’s thrown himself headfirst into his boxing and the nightclub. The End Zone was recently voted the hottest club in Manhattan. Not that he needs the money. He added me to all his accounts after days of arguing. I didn’t need his money, just him. Well, I saw the balances, and let’s just say he wasn’t joking when he told me he was a billionaire. I still feel weird even spending his money. I’ll always continue to work at Young Minds with Paula. She can keep the funding since I am doing it on a volunteer basis.
“Take Grayson with you, please. He looks like he wants to murder Maddie. I’d prefer it if Darcy didn’t witness a murder before her first birthday if we can help it, Champ.” I whisper, and Keller chuckles in response.
He slams his lips to mine for a hungry kiss. I grip his face with both of my hands to deepen it.
“For God’s sake, you two. You have God knows how many bedrooms in this place. Use them. It’s burning my eyes,” Grayson moans from the sofa. Keller’s lips soften to a smile against mine as he places one final PG kiss to my lips. “I love you, my Queen.”
I can’t help but feel giddy.
“I love you, Champ.”
He turns his attention to our little bundle in pink, still sound asleep in Maddie’s arms. Crouching down, “Daddy won’t be long, I promise, Princess. I love you.” He places a delicate kiss on top of her fluffy black locks.
She definitely has her dad’s coloring, that’s for sure.
“Come on Grayson, you’re coming with me.”
“Fine.” He huffs in response as they leave.
“Don’t forget Paula’s bringing Max over to meet Darcy later.” I call out after him. I know he wouldn’t have forgotten. He loves that boy like a son. We both do.
“I wouldn’t miss that for the world.” he shouts back.
We’re in the process of adopting him. His mom never returned and signed her rights away. Paula’s currently fostering him whilst Keller pushes the paperwork through. We wanted to make sure everything was perfect with the house and his little sister had made a safe arrival before we tell him the news. I can’t wait to make this a home for us all.
Maddie’s shoulders sag in relief as the door closes behind them.
“Want to tell me why you’re messing around going on dates with this Gregory, when it’s quite clear you are head over heels in love with Grayson?”
Her eyes widen, then she lets out a shaky breath.
“There was a kiss, the best kiss of my life, Si. Now he won’t even talk to me. I’m so confused. I still want to hate him, I really do, but I can’t. What is wrong with me?” She sniffles as tears roll down her cheeks and I wrap my arms around her.