Camp Hardwood by Alexa Riley

Epilogue

Piper

months later

Istare at the giant beast of an SUV outside the hospital as I hold our baby boy in my arms. “What is that?” The thing is a freaking tank. It clearly had a lot of custom work done to it. I wonder if it’s even street legal. I’m sure Hawk got some special something so that he could drive it. Nothing stands in Hawk’s way when he wants something.

“That’s protection,” Hawk answers, leaning down and kissing me before placing a kiss on the top of our baby boy’s head. I’m actually not shocked over the vehicle or whatever you want to call it. I’m not going to ask if the glass is bulletproof because I know it is. If he wants to be over the top with our protection, fine. I don’t care as long as it makes him feel better. It’s not like there’s anything to worry about. The past is done. We aren’t connected to my father's dealings. We have a clean slate here. Everything has died with him.

Okay, maybe it’s not completely clean. Hawk has money. I never ask how or where he got it. I’m sure if I did he’d tell me, but I don’t want that in our lives. When I think back, I only remember the times when I was with Hawk. They’re the only times I care about. I love now when I look back I can see how he was hiding his want for me. The one thing I will always be thankful for is that my father did bring Hawk into my life. Then Hawk saved me from my father. I might have run on my own, but Hawk made sure there was no one coming for me. Well, except him.

Hawk takes our son from my arms and puts him into his car seat. I watch as my husband buckles him in and tucks him safely away into the giant tank of a vehicle. He’s going to be a wonderful father. I knew that when he held my stomach protectively that first day he found me again. But getting to see him with our son only solidifies what I’ve been thinking. My big beast of a husband is showing every part of the gentle giant that he is. It melts my insides.

He opens the passenger side door for me. I’m about to ask him how I’m supposed to get in but he lifts me gently and sits me inside before buckling my seat belt and giving me a kiss. I watch him round the front and hop into the driver seat before taking off. I let out a long sigh. I’m ready to be home, just the three of us.

“I love you pregnant but I’m not sure I can do that again.” Hawk shakes his head.

“It wasn't that bad.” That’s a small little white lie. In the moment I knew the labor was bad but looking back, it was worth it. I’d do it a few more times, for sure.

“Liar,” he mumbles, but his lips twitch into a smirk because he knows we’ll be doing this a few more times too.

“Where are we going?” I ask when he doesn't turn down the road toward our cabin.

“A surprise.” The smirk turns into a full-on smile now. I perk up in my seat.

“I love surprises.” I can’t keep the excitement from my voice.

“I know you do, muñeca,” he says with a laugh. I do a small clap, wiggling in my seat. Then my eyes go round as we pull down a long stone driveway and a big beautiful cabin comes into view.

“But we only drafted plans,” I say, looking at the home we’ve been talking about building. We've been staying at Camp Hardwood. Hawk and Moose became fast friends and Hawk often helps out. You’d never know it but Camp Hardwood is probably one of the safest places on earth between the two of them. We knew we would need our own place but I hadn't been in a rush. We agreed we’d build and I thought that would take a long time. Now I get all the random questions Hawk was always asking me when he’d bring up what we’d have in our forever home. He was building it for us.

“I didn't want you to stress over it so I just handled it. I think I got everything you wanted but we can make any changes you want.” Hawk enjoys taking care of me and he’s good at it. I know the house will be everything I ever wanted and more. At the end of the day, though, all that matters is that I’m with him, that our baby is healthy and happy, that our kids are going to grow up safe and loved. This is one of Hawk’s ways of showing me that.

“You’re always just handling things for me.” I look over at him.

“Can’t help myself.” He shrugs.

“Don’t want you to.” I lean over. Hawk meets me halfway and our mouths touch as he kisses me softly. I don’t want to change anything about Hawk. I know he will always do what he thinks he needs to, but I also know I come first in his thoughts. It’s just his bossy, sweet way.

“This is nothing compared to what you’ve given me,” he says when he pulls back to look down at me. I know he’s talking about our son. My love. Everything, really. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Those words never get old and I know they never will.