Oliver (This is Our Life Book 3)
Page 23
California clears his throat and ends our steamy kiss with his closing declaration, “Let your love always lead the way, and may your hearts always find their way home. It is my great pleasure to announce Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Reed Bishop.”
This is the ultimate perfect day.
Fallyn Blackwood Bishop is mine.
Forever.
Epilogue
Fallyn
A few years later.
Waves crash on the shoreline; a feeling of peace flows to and fro with the ebbing tide. The smell of sea and sand filters on the air. The spray from the ski boat kicking up the waves.
MacGyver makes another pass, towing a crouched Harper closer to the dock. The rope tight, her body whips from side to side on the top of the water. She’s a natural.
Harper leaves for college in the fall. We’re going to miss her, but she’s ready for a change. It’s her time to fly.
I nestle the black-haired miracle close to my bosom. Orlando Reed Bishop. Our little miracle. I kiss the top of his small head and watch as his eyes grow heavy with sleep.
The entire crew is at Grandma’s beach house to celebrate Memorial Day weekend.
I gaze over the crowd, and my eyes land on my little brother, Grayson. Damn, I’m so proud of him. He accepted an appointment to West Point in the fall. He brought his girlfriend, Ella, with him, and by the looks of things, it’s gonna be a rough parting for those two when he leaves.
We’ve been doing this a lot lately, the family get-togethers, ever since I came back. It’s not just the Blackwood family; the Trident Security team, too. We’ve all become one big happy family. Some days, we all load up and head out, Keagan and Jocelyn leading the way on Black Beauty. There’s something about riding on the back of Oliver’s bike. Freedom on the wind.
We split our time between Lakeview and the homestead. When things get too tough for me to handle with my father and I need peace and quiet, we go home to Arkansas.
The heated arguments haven’t changed between father and me. Instead of protecting Jocelyn and Sage, it’s Grayson. He’s too tough on him.
Sometimes I want to scream with the harsh reality of it. I’ve come to realize you can’t change the spots on a leopard, and my father will never change his antics. Even age isn’t slowing him down. Interference is the game we all play for the greater good. The sooner Grayson leaves, the better. We won’t have to deal with father as much, then.
For some reason, Adalyn isn’t a blimp on his radar; so strange. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I will. Grandma asked me to drop it, but I can’t. She doesn’t favor me, Jocelyn, or Sage. Actually, she’s the opposite of us all with her tall, willowy frame and black-as-night hair. We’ve asked Keagan and Oliver to look into it. I’m bothered where the trail will lead us.
Mother and he didn’t come today. I’m sad for the lost time with her, but she’s made her bed. I’ve tried to help her. You can lead a thirsty dog to water, but you can’t make ‘em drink. I’m learning to let go and move on.
Adalyn’s laughter draws my attention to the group standing poolside. Keagan and Sebastian are running circles around a sunbathing Jocelyn, a water balloon in one hand and a water gun in the other.
“Keagan! Sebastian! Don’t you dare. I mean it, boys,” Jocelyn’s voice carries on the wind.
Sebastian’s two-year-old cheeks glow from the heat. He’s the spitting image of Keagan, bald head and all, mimics his dad’s every move. Jocelyn reaches for the little man as he launches his balloon.
“Water fight!” Jocelyn yells and grabs Sebastian, jumping into the pool.
Keagan follows with a cannon ball, spraying and rippling the water from his entry. He comes up from the deep end and wraps his arms around his family. A chorus of laughter and giggles sings.
A very pregnant Sage waddles over to the shaded pergola, joining Lukas on the swing. He bends low to her belly and plants a kiss there. Then he wraps her up in his arms.
“Hey, there, you,” Oliver’s sexy tone washes over me.
I scoot forward when he motions. He hikes a leg, straddling the lounger, and lifts me up before easing back down on the lounger with me in his lap. His particularly favorite place for me to be. His large thumb caresses our son’s cheek as he watches him finish nursing.
“Hiya, cowboy. I was wondering where you ran off to.”
“Grady and I were attemptin’ to teach Cal and Moose the fine art of southern grillin’, baby. Didn’t want your steak overcooked, did ya?”
“You know what I like,” I sassily reply.
“Yeah. I do, baby,” he admits with a shrug.
“I was thinking.”
“Really? Could be dangerous for me,” he jokes, nuzzling my earlobe.
“Uh huh.” I angle my head and continue. “Did you know you’re the ‘ice’ in my spice, Oliver?”
“Nope, didn’t know that at all, Fallyn.” He plants a kiss on my cheek and chuckles. “Bet ya didn’t know you’re the rock in my roll.”
“Kinda like the motion in your ocean?” I ask, wiggling my eyebrows up and down.
“Or the wind beneath my wings?”
I giggle. “You’re the ‘ever’ in my forever.”
“You’re queen of my heart.”
“You’re the twinkle in my eye.”
“Fallyn Bishop, I love you, my little vixen.”
“Oliver Bishop, I love you, my sexy cowboy.”
Together, we replaced the prison walls of the past with laughter, hope, and love. Truly alive. Life tried to break us, a shattered hourglass of time losing grains of sands in the wind, but we gathered the broken pieces and built a love that will endure the test of time.
This is our life. This is our journey. Some philosophers believe the best part of life is who you spend it with. For me, I would agree. I couldn’t dream for more than Oliver.
Some fear the fire, some embrace it…bound in love, the chaos within us balanced.
THE END.
About the Author
F.G. Adams writes contemporary and paranormal romance about sexy alpha heroes and feisty-mouthed heroines. The wonder twin sisters forming F.G. enjoy a healthy obsession of reading that started at a young age. Their books reflect an avid imagination that was cultivated by their grandmother who taught them the mind has no limits and to use both hands when reaching for the stars. Partners in writing, they both thrive on creating unique storylines for you, the reader, to enjoy.
When not writing, you can find them on a beach with their significant other enjoying the waves or riding a Harley on a country road somewhere in the USA.
Tell Us What You Think. Please leave a review. We enjoy hearing reader opinions about our books.
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AuthorFGAdams
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Other Books by F.G. Adams
This is Our Life series:
Grayson: Book 1
Keagan: Book 2
Oliver: Book 3
Coming Soon:
Lukas: Book 4 Sign-up here for release notification
The Enchanted Immortals Trilogy:
Book 1: Aldin’s Wish
And coming soon…
Book 2: Fox’s Awakening
Book 3: Marcus’ Vengeance
Acknowledgments
First, thanks to our husbands for their never-give-up attitudes. For understanding the endless days of take-out, dirty laundry and short-answer conversations while we write. Your ideas, suggestions, and never-ending support goes to show that happily-ever-after happens outside of a book. Thank you for supporting our dream!
Thank you so much Julia Goda, for taking on the dynamic duo. Twice the edits … twice the fun. Your knowledge and know how helped make Oliver not just a great book, but a fabulous one. We love you big.
Thanks to Mayhem Cover Creations for bringing our vision to life and creating a badass cover. You listened and created a beautiful work of art.
Jonny James, from the moment we saw your photo we knew you were our Oliver. Also, Shauna
Kruse and your eye for creating a stunning photograph. Thank you both.
Thank you to our dear friend, the amazing Stephanie. Lady, you are the boss. We love you and appreciate everything you’ve done and continue to do to help us.
To all the bloggers and readers: Thanks for taking a chance and reading our book. After all, we wouldn’t be here without you.
Our Street Team full of fabulous ladies and Erin our right-hand gal, thank you so much for everything. We use those words because we wouldn't be writing another book without all that you do for us. Chance brought you ladies into our life and we so grateful to be able to call you our friends.
This story was an exciting and fun journey for both of us. We learned so much about each other and grew as writers. We hope you enjoy it.
Yours truly,
F.G. Adams