by Kate Benson
I slowly move to a stand, bending to place her in her mother’s arms. As I see the three of them together, I’m overcome with emotion like I’ve never known.
In this moment, on the side of the road, I know I finally made it home.
I lean in to take our son, giving her a moment with our daughter and savoring in the sound of her exhausted, happy tears.
“She’s so pretty,” she sobs, kissing her twice before she tucks the t-shirt she’s wrapped in away from her face. “And she has your hair,” she beams, gazing at her. “Oh, my God,” Evie cries, her eyes locked on our daughter for a moment before she glances back at our son. “Baby,” she gazes up at me. “We just had babies.”
“I know,” I laugh through my tears as I lean in closer to kiss her. “You’re fucking amazing, Evie,” I sigh, pressing my lips to her hair a half dozen times before I stroke her cheek and hold her eyes. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“I had some help,” she sniffs, pressing her lips to my dimple and holding me close.
“I just played catcher,” I argue, making her laugh weakly before she glances back down at them in awe. “You just gave us all life, pussycat.”
The sound of tires coming to a stop nearby invades my thoughts, but nothing can pull me from them.
Not yet. Not ever.
“Wait, why’d you ask me if I looked at your list?” she asks as the paramedics spring into action, making their way toward us. “What’s her name?”
“Hmm,” I hum as I glance down at her, still smiling as I return my gaze to Evie’s. “Her name’s Aspen,” I smile wide. “Aspen Olivia Grace.”
“Oh,” she gasps with a teary smile as her chest begins to tremble. “Aspen.”
“You like it?” I ask, her nod immediate.
“It’s perfect,” she cries. “Dallas and Aspen.”
“Two things that changed our lives,” I say low, holding Evie’s big blue eyes with mine. “Made us who we were always meant to be.”
She chokes back a sob with my words, resting her head against mine before glancing down at our babies and releasing a long, contented sigh.
“Looks like we’re done with adventures for a while.”
“No way, little monster,” I shake my head, pressing my lips to hers as I meet her eyes. “This is gonna be the best one yet.”
Epilogue
one year later
evie
“Rawr!” he shouts as he swings the door open, the sound of squealing filling the living room making it impossible to stifle my smile. “Daddy Monster’s home!”
I glance up, laughing when I see him approach their playpen in slow motion, Aspen snorting while Dallas counters with a long, slow belly laugh of his own.
“I’m gonna eat the potatoes!” he threatens playfully, burying his face into their necks and making a chomping sound that makes them bounce and reach for him desperately. “Let me taste the dimples,” he croons, peppering them with affection that only spurs them on that much more before he strips his dirty work shirt off and tosses it to the side, reaching for them both and settling them into his arms. Once they’ve settled in his arms, he clears the distance between us, my favorite three sets of matching dimples sending my fluttering heart into overdrive. “Hey, pussycat,” he smiles, pressing his lips to mine before he buries his lips into my neck as well, the chomping noise making a return that sends the twins into another squealing frenzy. “How’s Mommy Monster?”
“Good,” I chuckle, setting my brush down and wiping my hands on a towel before I take Aspen. “How was work?”
“It was good.”
“I’m glad you’re here. I was worried you wouldn’t make it home in time,” I muse, Dash beaming when Aspen begins to protest, reaching for him once more. “Such a Daddy’s girl.”
He presses a firm kiss to both of their heads, smiling wider when Dallas begins to laugh once more at the feel of his scruff.
“I would’ve been here sooner, but I got stuck on a radiator,” he explains, studying my features as I make a second attempt with Dallas, satisfied when he puts up less of a fight, if only just. “You okay? You look tired.”
“I am,” I admit. “This one,” I focus on Aspen’s blue eyes for a moment as I tousle her dark curls. “Was a bit of a drama queen today. She not only refused to take a nap, she wouldn’t let her brother sleep either.” She hides her face into Dash’s chest, making me shake my head again before I glance up to find him grinning victoriously. “Such a rotten girl.”
“Just like her mother,” he winks, pressing his lips to mine. “When are your mom and Mason getting here?”
“In about an hour or so,” I reply, mirroring Dallas’ yawn when he rubs his chubby little fist over one of his green eyes. “I know, Bubby,” I croon, kissing his hair and feeling vindicated when he cuddles up closer to my neck. “Mama’s sleepy, too.”
“You need anything from me before I get into the shower?” he asks, making me shake my head before he glances down at the elaborate birthday banner I’m working on and smiling wide. “That’s dope as hell.”
“You like it?”
“Yeah,” he nods, taking in the names and the colorful designs adorning the paper. I yawn once more, and he raises his eyes back to mine suspiciously. “You’re not bitching out on me, are you?”
“No,” I promise with a smirk as I take Aspen from him and ignore his cocky laughter when she wails in offense. “Rotten.”
“I keep tellin’ ya, pussycat,” he smirks against my lips. “All the best ones are.”
dash
The small party we’d thrown for the twins went off without a hitch, Evie somehow managing to turn a shoebox apartment taken over by our crazy offspring into a birthday miracle. It had been perfect, Evie laughing through her tears as we helped them blow out the first of many birthday candles. By the time I watch her hug Amy and Alex goodbye, we’re both covered in cake, eternally exhausted, and we couldn’t stop smiling if you paid us.
She turns to face me and releases a long sigh, her body leaning against the door frame for only a moment before I watch her slide down its length and onto her ass. I can’t help but laugh at her theatrics before I clear the distance between us and slide down beside her.
“Me, too, baby,” I yawn, leaning my head against the door before I glance down at her, finding her already staring up at me. “You got your bags packed?”
“Yes,” she nods, resting her head on my shoulder. “You?”
“I packed a fuckin’ week ago,” I smirk, savoring in her giggle. The sound of her mother in the nursery singing to the twins makes me smile wider and I stare down the hallway toward their door. “You think she’ll be okay with them?” I ask, my eyebrows quirking together, partly in concern, the other part in amusement. “Those two are pretty fuckin’ nuts. They might take her down.”
“Yes,” she nods, flashing me a hint of a smile and I kiss her hair. “Mason is staying, too, so they’ll have even numbers.”
I nod and push out another deep breath, pulling myself to my feet.
“Come on, pussycat,” I say as I extend my hand to her, lifting her until she comes to a soft stop against my chest. “We gotta get on the road. We’ve got a long drive.”
“How long?”
“Bend over, and I’ll show ya,” I wink, laughing at her when she playfully smacks my chest.
“So stupid,” she shakes her head.
“Couple hours,” I reply, still smiling when her eyes narrow.
“Remember our pact?” she asserts. “No fucking rest stops, baby.”
“Trust,” I assure her, my eyes wide and she giggles. “Rest stops are off the table. Forever and ever, sugar.”
“Good,” she smiles as she makes her way toward Dallas and Aspen’s bedroom. “Mom, we’re about to leave.”
“Okay, honey,” Donna calls out, stepping into the hallway with her and giving her arm a gentle pat.
“Do you need anything before we go?” Evie asks, not waiting for a reply befor
e she speaks again. “I showed you where all the breast milk is, and the backup formula and you have the number to the pediatric-”
“I don’t need anything,” her mother cuts her short with a grin. “I’ve done this once or twice before, you know?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she sighs, her eyes apologetic for a moment before she glances into the nursery, biting her lip when Donna gently ushers her toward the door. “And you know where to reach us?”
“Yes,” she nods, her smile widening when I gesture for her to keep my secret. “But don’t worry about a thing, we’ll be fine. You two just go have fun.”
We collect our things and after another quick, but emotional goodbye, we finally make it back to the door. When we step outside and come to a brief stop on the doorstep of our apartment, Evie hesitates slightly as she takes another look over her shoulder.
I can’t help the low sigh of adoration that leaves me.
For the last year, she’s worked from home almost exclusively, only going to the studio to paint on my days off. The bulk of her life is spent here with the twins and this is the first time we’ve walked out this door without them.
Despite our nerves when we sat in the floor of that Walgreens all those nights ago, the role of motherhood was one Evie fell into effortlessly.
It’s only made me fall for her all over again.
Every. Single. Fucking. Day.
“You still feeling okay about leaving them?” I ask, and immediately, she shakes her head.
“No,” she sighs, her eyes falling slightly for a moment before her lips twist into a smile. “But I’ve had coffee and I’m very excited about our adventure, so I’m going to power through.”
“Me, too,” I grin, bending to taste her lips and linger there. “Happy anniversary, pussycat.”
We climb into Sue a few minutes later, and I can’t help but release a long sigh of appreciation for her as I slip behind the wheel. As hard as it was to think about saying goodbye to her a year ago, once the twins were born in the front seat, I knew there was no way Evie would ever let me go through with it.
Glancing at my girl, red lipstick in place as she smiles back at me from that very same spot, it feels like my whole life started in the front seat of this car.
There was no way I could do it, either.
We make it to hotel in Dallas a couple hours later, and we spend the night defacing the same room where it all began.
The next morning when we board our flight to Aspen, she leans in close and buries herself under my arm, trading me spots so I’m not next to the window, cursing the wolves.
I wake her early our first day there, and when I see her coming out in my favorite pink snowsuit, I can’t help but smile as I take her hand and lead her to the lifts.
“Are you gonna keep your eyes open this time?” I ask, savoring in her giggle as she playfully flips me off and slips into the lift beside me. “You’d better.”
“Yeah?” she smiles up at me. “Why’s that?”
“No reason. Just don’t want you to miss out on something wild,” I shrug. “Maybe a little bit crazy.”
Her eyes hold mine for a minute, her lips quirking up slightly with my words. Loose tendrils of her hair blow around her, framing her face. As we hover above the snowcapped mountains that were the backdrop to our unlikely beginning, I have to stop to catch my breath.
Not because of Aspen, but because of the girl.
“You better stop being so nice to me,” she warns playfully as she leans against my side, bringing me back. “You might make me think you’re trying to ruin my entire life again.”
“Not all of it,” I promise, pulling my glove off with my teeth and holding my hand up between us, her jaw dropping when the shimmer from the ring shines beneath the sun. “Maybe just the next fifty or sixty years.”
“Oh, my God,” she gasps, covering her mouth with her hands as she stares back at me, her blue eyes brighter with her tears. “Are you about to puke?” she asks, pulling an amused shake from my head.
“Nope.”
“I swear to God if you’re screwing with me, I’m going to push you off this ski lift,” she teases through the gentle sob caught in her throat.
“You really think I’d do that to you twice, little monster?” I smirk, leaning in to take her teary kiss. “Damn, baby,” I sigh. “Have a little faith.”
evie
Once we’re back into our hotel room and have properly consummated our engagement, an important detail Dash assured me was protocol, the only thing that can pull my eyes from the incredible ring resting on my newly manicured finger (read it ladies: nagging works), is the gorgeous jackass falling onto the bed beside me.
Since that fateful night in my dressing room that promised our lives would be forever changed, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t harbored a few concerns about how Dash would take to fatherhood. While my original fear involved turning over every cantina on the other side of the border to hunt him down, I think deep down I knew once the shock wore off, he’d give it his best shot. However, since the moment our children made their first reality-show worthy appearance into the world, the moment he found me crying in the middle of a bathroom stall if I’m honest, he’s absolutely blown me away.
Not only has Dash given it his best shot, he’s the best father, the best partner, I could have ever asked for.
Late night feedings, diaper changes, temper tantrums from all three of us at once – you name it, Dash been right there through it all. At first glance, it seemed impossible coming from the guy I grew up hating. Yet, when I think about that same guy, the one that drove me crazy and then managed to set my black little soul on fire, I’m really not that surprised at all.
After all, he’d done the same thing he always has.
Dash Hunter showed the fuck up.
“I ordered us dinner,” he says low as he pulls me from my emotional thoughts and cages me in, burying his lips into my neck.
“Thank you, baby,” I sigh, and my eyes flutter shut as he begins slowly trailing down the front of my body before he raises his eyes to mine.
“You feel like some anal?” he asks, pulling a loud laugh from my belly that vibrates the bed beneath us and I’m met with an amused shrug. “Worth a shot.”
“You’re so dumb,” I giggle against his lips, watching him rise from the bed when our food arrives.
Slowly I sit up, pulling his t-shirt on over my head to take a seat on the edge of the bed, my nerves swimming slightly when he returns with a plate of grilled cheese and two flutes of champagne. I bite into the bread, watching him intently as he reaches for our glasses and hands one to me.
“Wait for it,” he says dramatically, reaching below the divan to pull a bag out, his eyes dancing with pride as they meet mine. “Look what I got you, pussycat.”
He reaches into the bag and pulls out a small one filled with colorful gummy bears.
My favorite kind of gummy bears.
“Aww, babe,” I swoon, unable to keep my hand from moving to my chest despite the gentle race of my heart. “You got me anniversary weed?”
“Only the best for you, princess,” he smiles, leaning in to give me a kiss before he raises his glass, clinking it to mine, and places two of the gummies into my hand. He drains his flute in one sip, his eyebrows scrunching slightly when I don’t follow suit and he pulls it from his lips, gesturing for me to proceed. “What are you doing?” he smirks awkwardly when I stare back at him and blow out a deep breath. “Go nuts, baby. We’ve got shit to celebrate.”
“You’re a little more right than you know,” I nod, my voice shaky as I offer him my glass and rest my palm on my belly. When I meet his eyes once more, I’m not surprised when they’ve gone wide with shock. I’m also not surprised when he immediately pops the two gummies he’d just given me and downs my champagne in one long sip without blinking. “I hope you’re up for another adventure.”
the end.
Never miss a climax.
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About the Author
Kate Benson was raised in Texas and currently resides in central Florida with her husband and their fur-boy, Boomer. She learned to read at the age of four and has been hooked ever since.
She credits her passion for literature to her mother, her love of story-telling to her father and her unwavering faith in happily-ever-after’s to her husband, Sean.
Some of her favorite things include rainy days, loud music, superhero movies, sweet tea and of course, lazy afternoons with a great book.
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Acknowledgments
I still remember the first whispers I ever heard from Dash and Evie.
I’d been sitting at my desk, the same green eyes and devastatingly delicious dimples flashing mischievously in my mind for the third or fourth day in a row.
He’d had yet to breathe a single word, but we all know, that’s simply not her style.
“That guy always finds my last nerve and dry humps the fuck out of it,” she’d whispered. “I hate that guy.”
