Slow Burn (The Burn Series Book 4)

by Dee Ellis

  I wonder briefly why they are all there; I don't remember making plans for tonight with everyone. Then again, my recent plans have been mostly about Amelia's first birthday party and the arrival of Charli's baby. I might have baby fever.

  “Hey queen Gold,” Gigi slides down her mountain of a husband to holler at me, “How about a family photo, before we put the Princess shit away?” Gigi cocks her head, nodding towards the cute castle background.

  I glance towards Levi, who looks especially excited about that prospect. I shrug in agreement, thankful I did a touch of makeup and changed my uniform of tank tops and sweats to something more photo ready. My flowy dress—the very one I wore on our first real date—wasn't exactly family photo-shoot appropriate, but what can you do.

  The rest of the group looked on as we posed for a few photos, taking turns holding Amelia. After a few shots, Gigi paused us to fix something with her lens, and Finn fussed with the backdrop. Paid them no mind as I twisted into my family, kissing my little Princess and my king.

  “Brynn...” Levi stepped away after a searing kiss that I was glad they hadn't caught on camera, and I frowned.

  “Yes, baby.” I reached for Amelia, but he held her to his chest, looking anxious. I was nervous again, the lights making me hot.

  Levi stood before me, gorgeous and perfect, his bright blue eyes blazing and his lip trembling. Propping the baby against his chest, Levi took a deep breath before he began to move towards me. Amelia's chunky legs kicked, but it was her little foot that caught my eyes. Or, rather, the perfect Princess cut diamond ring that dangled from her little toes.

  Levi dropped to his knees, taking the ring and giving it to Amelia.

  “Brynn. You are her mother. In every sense of the word now. Our Princess adores you. So do I, my queen. I want you to give us the final brick. Take my last name. Be my wife. Make our house our castle and keep battling dragons with me. Choose us forever. Marry me, Brynn. Become Mrs. Holt.” Levi whispered something to Amelia and she giggled, holding the ring out to me.

  “Mama. Mama. Yours.” I vaguely heard Gigi's camera click off a few shots as I dropped to my knees.

  “Oh my God. Yes. Yes, Levi. I choose you and I definitely choose her. Forever and always.” I took the ring and Amelia clapped as I slid it on my finger.

  With our daughter between us, we shared an awkward kiss as we promised to always choose each other.

  “Whooty woo!!! House Holt joins the seven kingdoms!” Gigi laughed, snapping shot after shot.

  I twisted to see Finn had not been messing with the background. He'd been adding to it. Above the castle was a bright gold banner that read House Holt. Apparently, our GOT parties had made fans out of the entire group. I laughed and cried and kissed my future husband and my tiny daughter and knew how Goddamn blessed we were.

  And later, when those banners changed to House Byrne and House Cooper, we all laughed and cried some more. Gigi took shots of every moment, of our families changing again.

  When it was her turn, Lola took her place. We all watched the burly beast Finn become a crying mess when Gigi produced a key. To their new house by the lake, which had a studio...and a room for the daughter they would be welcoming soon.

  “Look at this fucking fairytale. You maybe didn't make all of them come true, Brynn. But you sure get to help build their castles, don't you?” Levi held me as I admired my ring, already planning a quick wedding that would feature just the people in this room.

  Because I would build their homes. Like I had built ours. But they had helped me build my family. And I would get to be here as I watched their happily ever after's, their fairytales and dreams come true.

  I like to build things, and I was good at it. I built a family with the man of my dreams and a Princess I didn't expect. I made the choice to come to Chicago because I'd been running from bad choices made back in Boston. I could not be more thankful for those choices because they made me realize how good it felt to make good ones now.

  To choose a good man. To choose to become his wife. The mother to his children. And to choose these amazing, loud, colorful, loving people as my family.

  I think I had finally gotten good at making the good choices.

  THE END

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  This one was bittersweet for me. I was not ready to say goodbye to these characters of mine. But, it was time they all got their fairytales and rode off into the sunset.

  For now.

  I want to thank the readers. Everyone one of you who have read one or all of this series and told me that you liked, loved, or even hated them. That you would read something that I wrote, it means more than I can ever say. And yet, I will say it every single time. I stutter-stop so often doing this, wondering if I am good enough, if my words matter at all. And as if somehow the universe knows, a reader will contact me, post a review or ask about what’s coming next. And so, I keep writing.

  Thank you to my husband who probably will never read my books. But will listen to my craziness as I write them. Listen to me detail the characters that won’t shut up and steal my late nights from him. I love you more, and most often, and I always will.

  To my Beta Betties; you are the first line of feedback and I treasure it. You are my fan club, my street team, my cheering section and I love you dearly. I’m sure authors say that a lot, but I fucking mean it. Some of you been there from the begging and I hope you stick with me because I adore your faces.

  To my Indies Ink girls, it’s been crazy watching this thing grow. Sometimes we do absolutely nothing but talk about dick prints and football and our day-to-day. But then sometimes, we help someone and that reminds me how important what we’re doing is. I thank you all again for taking my silly dream and running with it alongside me!

  To Megan and Jill. I probably would have quit this shit like…a second after my first bad review, if not for you ladies. I love that I found two people who I can whine to about reviews and edits and book stuff. But I ADORE that I can talk to you about movies and stupid people and our lives. You two matter to me in a way I don’t think you comprehend. I am lucky to know you.

  To my Mother. This was 12 years without you and it was the hardest this year, for some reason. I would not be the woman I am without you, and I just hope I can make you proud. Hope that my silly, dirty, fluffy books would be something you’d sit and read at Bingo. I miss you every single day, Ma. Love you, Always.

  This is the fourth and final book in a series that came out of nowhere. I did not get rich and famous off of these books. Didn’t sell a million copies or land a movie deal. But I also didn’t sell my soul, I do it my way, even when it’s hard and I feel like I am standing still while others blow past me. I will continue to do it my way. Continue to write for me, and for people who like my words. I hope more people like my words, hope more people give me a shot, but if I only ever sell one more book, I am proud of how I did it.