Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
He laughs. “I think it’s my turn to use your favorite word. Ew.”
“I’m excited,” I tell him, hugging him tightly. “But that’s not a revelation. I’m excited for every single chapter in our lives.”
He wraps his arms around me. “It’s hotter now than it was when this place was on fire.”
I giggle, kissing his chest.
Epilogue
KILLIAN
Eight Years Later
There’s something special about watching my wife in the kitchen with Jocelyn and Finn. The twins watch their mother attentively. I rock Harry gently in my arms, our youngest child sleeping peacefully. In general, he’s been far more chill than Jocelyn or Finn ever were.
“Remember,” Lucy says. “We need to be careful with the butter. We’re not smashing it into the flour… and yes, I’m looking at you, Finn.”
Finn laughs, his mop of red hair bouncing. He’s got his mother’s hair and eyes, reminding me of how she looked when she was a young girl walking the Irish countryside, lost until I found her.
“Yeah, Finn,” Jocelyn giggles. People say she looks like me with her blue eyes and blonde hair, but it’s difficult to look at our kids and see anybody other than my gorgeous wife. “No Hulk smash, okay?”
As they press the butter into the flour, Lucy looks up and spots me. Sunlight streams through the window, lighting up the kitchen, making her look like an angel.
In Gaelic, she says, “Are you spying on me, husband?”
I grin, replying in Gaelic, “If all I got to do for the rest of my days was watch you with our children, I’d die a happy man.”
She’s even more beautiful now than the first day I walked into The Celtic Crust. It’s not just her physical appearance, though she’s more attractive in that way. Three births have made her curvier, giving her a maternal look that always gets me going. Her hair is tied up, braids woven, making her look like a Celtic pagan princess.
It’s her determination, too. Not only is she a wife, mother, and queen, but she’s also opened three more bakeries, turning The Celtic Crust into a franchise.
I carry Harry into the kitchen, smiling at the twins. Finn looks up at me with a big gap-toothed grin on his face. “Hey, Daddy. Hey, little Harry.”
“Daddy, look,” Jocelyn says. “Mommy’s teaching us how to make Irish scones. She says they’re your favorite.”
“Mommy makes the best in the world,” I tell them.
“Not better than those we had in Ireland the day you proposed,” she counters.
“The best,” I say, blowing her a kiss. “What’s the next step, kids?”
“The next step is…” Finn giggles. “Food fight!”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Like father, like son. The first time your mother and I made these, I started a food fight. But let’s not wake your brother.”
Finn slowly lowers his hand, a caring expression touching his Lucy-like features. “You got off lucky this time, sis.”
Jocelyn giggles. “If there was a food fight, I’d win. You’re lucky Harry’s sleeping.”
“We’re all lucky,” I tell them.
“Are we?” Finn asks.
“The sun’s shining. Your wonderful mother is teaching you how to bake. You’ve got siblings who love you. You’ve got parents who’d do anything for you. But I’m the luckiest of all.”
Lucy watches me with tears glistening in her perfect honey-colored eyes.
“Before I met your mother, I never imagined I’d have all this. I never imagined I’d find so much love. I love you, kids.”
“I love you too, Daddy,” Finn says.
Jocelyn wipes her hands on her flower-patterned apron and walks around the island, throwing her arms around my hips. “We love you, Daddy.”
THE END