When we’re done, and the pan is set aside, I spin around and throwing my arms around his neck, I press a kiss to his mouth.
“My hero. You saved our dinner,” I tease.
“Do I get a reward?” he asks playfully.
“For dessert,” I answer with a wicked grin.
After dinner and cleaning the mess I made we settle on the couch, and I let Zac surf through the channels. Scooting lower, I lie down on my back and rest my head on his lap.
“You tired?” he asks.
“Just lazy.” Lifting my hand to his face, I trail my finger along the scruff on his jaw. “Do you have any idea how attractive you are? You have this whole Southern hot thing going.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I answer, widening my eyes as I nod.
I cover my mouth as I yawn and snuggle closer to his abs, and before I know it, I’m fast asleep.
Zac
Smiling, I look down at Chloe’s sleeping face. I switch off the TV and scoot out from under her before I turn to pick her up.
When I lift her to my chest, she lets out a soft groan and snuggles against me. I carry her to my room, and place her gently on the bed, careful not to wake her.
After a quick shower, I pull on a pair of sweats and climb into bed next to Chloe. Careful not to stir her, I push an arm under her head and pull her closer.
Just as I close my eyes, she mumbles sleepily, “You’re perfect.”
I press a kiss to her forehead, “You make it easy for me to be perfect.”
“Yeah?” She presses her face into the crook of my neck, and the action makes my heart expand with love.
I stare at her face until my eyes drift closed, wanting her to be the last thing I see before falling asleep.
Walking hand in hand down the road in the cool evening air, I glance around us.
“How can no one else be outside. It’s such a nice night.”
Chloe grins happily up at me. “I like it being just the two of us.”
We walk in silence for a little while, our steps matching each other, then I gather all my courage, and I pull Chloe to a stop. Turning to face her, I say, “Chloe…”
Rethinking my plan for a split second, I hesitate, but then I push through. Locking eyes with her, I confess, “Ek lief jou.”
Laughter bubbles over her lips. “That was so freaking cute. Say it again.”
I shake my head. “Nnn-ahh.”
Her face crumbles from a cuteness overdose, and it looks like she’s about to melt into a puddle at my feet.
“My heart,” she teases. “You’re too cute to handle.”
“Ek lief jou,” I repeat the words I love you again.
“Ahhhh,” she cries, bringing her hands to her cheeks. “I’m smiling so much it hurts.”
Laughing at how adorable she is, I ask, “Did I say it right?”
“It’s ek’s lief vir jou, but I like your version better.” Standing on her toes, she presses a hard kiss to my mouth. “Ek lief jou meeste.” She kisses me again, then repeats in English, “I love you most.”
Shaking my head, I say, “That’s impossible.”
“ʼn Honderd harte sal te min wees om al my liefde vir jou te dra.” There’s so much love shining from her eyes, it makes the words sound beautiful. “A hundred hearts would be too little to carry all my love for you.”
Bringing my hands up, I frame her face, and slowly leaning in, I keep my eyes on hers before I kiss her.
How lucky I am to have found a love like this twice in my lifetime?
I pull back and take the ring I picked earlier this week out of my pocket. Taking Chloe’s left hand, I hold the band in front of her ring finger.
“Chloe, I’ll love you forever.”
Her eyes begin to sparkle with happy tears. Nodding, she whispers, “I know. Your love for Laurie proved that to me. Not even death can stop you.” She smiles through the tears. “I would’ve settled for until death do us part, but knowing you love me, it’s a dream come true because I’ll have the other half of your heart forever.”
“Is that a yes?” I ask, feeling like I’ll never stop smiling.
She nods, then presses a kiss to my mouth, before taking my hand and pulling me back in the direction of the house. “Ja, that would be a definite yes.”
EPILOGUE
Zac
(Five years later…)
“Grandma!” Laurie calls out and stomping her feet she tucks a fist on her hip. “Daddy won’t let me have ice cream.”
I chuckle, then glance at Aiden. “You’re screwed. She’s pullin’ out the big guns.”
“Yeah, doesn’t help that Mama says yes to everything,” he grumbles.
Mom looks up and gives Aiden a stern look. “Is Daddy being mean?” she asks Laurie, a serious look on her face.
“Yeah, you didn’t spank him enough,” Laurie voices her opinion.
Mom picks up Laurie and walks over to the table where all the food for Thanksgiving is laid out. “I’ll make you a deal, little miss. Have some food with me, and I’ll let you have two bowls of ice cream.”
Laurie considers the deal for a moment, then nods. Wrapping her tiny arms around Mom, she says, “But not a lot of food. Just a small bit.”
“Okay,” Mom gives in with a smile.
“She would’ve smacked me upside the head and sent me to my room if I tried that with her,” Aiden mumbles under his breath.
I begin to laugh because it’s true.
“Let’s eat,” Emma calls out.
The whole family is gathered at Aiden’s place, so it’s a free-for-all as we fill our plates. Once everyone is seated, Dad opens with prayer, then asks, “Who’s goin’ first this year?”
Wyatt sticks up his hand waving it like a kid in class. “Pick me. Pick me.”
Alec slaps him on the shoulder. “You take forever which means you go last.”
“I’m thankful for Grandma,” Laurie pipes up. “’Cause she lets me have ice cream.” She scowls at Aiden, showing him she’s still not happy with him.
“I’m thankful for my family and that we’re all healthy,” Mom says next.
Emma rubs over her pregnant belly. “I’m thankful we’re having a boy because I’m not doing this again.”
“I’m thankful no one’s killin’ me today,” Aiden remarks drily which has us all bursting out in laughter.
“I’m thankful for those we’ve lost along the way because without them our lives wouldn’t be the same,” Cole says.
My eyes skip to Birdie who’s next. “I’m thankful for my wonderful husband.”
“You say that every year,” Wyatt complains.
“Because every year I’m thankful for him,” Birdie explains with a happy smile.
“I’m…” Wyatt begins, but Alec slaps a hand over his mouth, stopping him.
Everyone looks to Reece. “I’m thankful for all the success the foundation had this year.”
Alec lets go of Wyatt as his head snaps to Reece, “Not me?”
“And you,” she says with a playful sigh.
“I’m thankful for…”
“Me,” Wyatt interrupts Alec earning himself another slap upside the head. “Ow… you love hittin’ me,” he complains.
“I’m thankful for havin’ no regrets,” Alec bites the words out while giving Wyatt a look which promises nothing good for him.
“I’m thankful they haven’t killed each other,” Scarlett says as she eyes the two men and we all nod in agreement.
Wyatt jumps up and runs around to the other side of the circle and before Alec can get to him, he shouts, “I’m thankful for Alec, cause without our bromance life would be borin’.”
When Alec gets to him, he wraps him up in a hug, which has us all smiling. With those two around there’s never a dull moment.
“You think they were married in their previous life?” Reece asks Scarlett.
“Yeah, the chances are good.”
I look at Chloe where she’s sitting next t
o me and seeing the mischievous sparkle in her eyes, I try to prepare myself for whatever she’s gonna say.
“I’m thankful to announce that you’re gonna be a daddy.”
I tilt my head, not sure I heard right. “What?”
“I’m pregnant.”
Chaos erupts around us as everyone gets up to hug Chloe, leaving me to shake hands in a shocked daze.
Once everyone is settled, I’m still staring at my wife, not sure I heard her right. “You’re expecting our child?”
She nods, her smile content and dazzling.
Finally, life returns to me, and getting up, I sweep her into my arms and hug her as tight as I can.
“Oh my God, I’m so damn thankful for you.”
“Well, that wraps it up. I’m thankful we finally get to eat.” Dad gets up and walking back into the house, he grumbles, “Now I have to warm the damn food. From now on we’re eatin’ first before givin’ thanks.”
Pulling Chloe aside, I frame her face and press a kiss to her mouth. “We’re havin’ a baby,” I whisper as pure bliss fills my heart.
“Yeah.” She wraps her arms around my neck then jokingly says, “But I can warn you now I’ll be craving some weird shit in the middle of the night. I’ve been taking lessons from Emma.”
“I’ll just have to make sure we have everythin’ you could possibly crave.”
“Does that mean I finally get my pantry?”
“You can have anythin’. Like whatever your heart desires,” I say.
“Damn, I should’ve fallen pregnant sooner.”
Laughing, I pull her back into my arms, and as I place a kiss to the top of her head, I let my eyes drift over my family.
The End.
SOUTHERN HEROES SERIES
Aiden’s Book - The Ocean Between Us
Cole’s book - The Girl In The Closet.
Alec’s book – The Lies We Tell Ourselves.
Wyatt’s book - All The Wasted Time.
Zac’s book – We Were Lost.
*Thank you for reading The Southern Heroes Series. Initially, I planned a final book, The Fire Between Us, but the way the entire series evolved it has fallen away, and We Were Lost is now the last book.*
COMING SOON…
The Trinity Academy Series
#CollegeRomance #RichKids #BadBoys
FALCON
MASON
LAKE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle is a Bestselling Romance Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She loves an alpha hero who is not afraid to fight for his woman.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Sheldon, you’re my life.
Leeann, Allyson & Sheena, thank you so much for letting me run my crazy ideas by you, and for brainstorming with me. You’re the best Alpha Readers an author could ask for.
Elaine, Kelly & Kristine thank you for being the godparents of my paper-baby, and for beta reading for me.
Sybil, thank you for the breathtakingly stunning cover.
Daniel & Chris, thank you for the badass photo. It’s a pleasure working with both of you.
A special thank you to every blogger and reader who took the time to take part in the cover reveal and release day.
Love,
Michelle.
We Were Lost (A Southern Heroes Novel Book 5) Page 14
