Custom Love by Chantal Fernando

Epilogue

Three Months LaterTrade

“You sure you want to do this?” Temper asks, studying me. When he dropped by my house, I asked him to come outside so we could have a talk. We both knew it was coming. “You know the job is always there for you if you change your mind.”

“I know, but it’s time for me to focus on my own business once more,” I say, and to be honest, Chains has tainted working at Fast & Fury for me. I had my change of scenery, and now it’s time for me to get back to the construction world, to work hard to provide for my family’s future. It was such a relief when Mila’s adoption paperwork came through, which makes her officially my daughter. I mean, to me, she always was, but now she is legally, too.

“And Atlas and Aries will be able to handle it,” I comment, referring to the newly patched members of the MC, and the new Fast & Fury managers. Atlas might not be my favorite person right now, but I know he and Aries will do a good job taking over.

Once I heard that he had taken my woman on the back of his bike, I was fucking furious. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy he was keeping Nadia out of trouble and having her back, but let’s just say he won’t be doing that again.

Temper smirks. “You know I had to hire them both for it—them two fuckers don’t do anything alone.”

“I know.” I grin. “But hey, an extra helping hand is never bad at that place.”

“True.” He slaps me on the back and then pulls me in for a hug. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”

“I know.”

He hesitates, scrubbing his hand down his beard. “Nadia. I like her, and I like you both together. She’s a good woman.”

“Is this your official approval?”

He barks out a laugh. “Something like that. More like me warning you not to fuck it up.”

“I’m not going to. She’s perfect for me, and someone I never saw coming. She’s going to be my wife.”

Temper nods, and then gets back on his motorcycle, the loud engine music to my ears. I head back inside where Nadia is making the kids some dinner. I never ask her to do anything, or expect her to, but she likes looking after us all, and I like doing the same for her.

She’s wonderful, and I know how lucky I am to have her in my life.

My kids will be lucky to have her as their stepmother, and they all know that.

“Need any help?” I ask.

“Could you get the garlic bread out of the oven?” she asks, stirring the pasta on the stove. “Did you know Mila doesn’t like onions today? Apparently it’s a thing, so I’ve made her a separate batch.”

“You’re spoiling her.”

“She asked nicely and batted her eyelashes. You try to say no to that.” It’s hard, because she looks just like Ariel.

I never thought I would love anyone after Ariel, but Nadia has proved my theory wrong. She loves doing that.

I will always love Ariel, and I will always love Nadia. Most people only get one love in their lives, but I’ve been blessed with two.

And I’m never going to take that for granted.

Nadia fixed that hole in my heart, and it’s now so full that I could burst. She has made me and my family so happy that I could never repay her. She’s been a bright light for us all, and I don’t even think she knows just how much she has impacted our lives.

She’s given us all a second chance at happiness.

I take the garlic bread out of the oven, and after she turns the stove off, I spin her around and kiss her deeply, my hands cupping her cheeks.

“I love you,” I say against her lips.

“I love you, too,” she replies, breathless, her brown eyes looking at me in a way that only she can.

She sees me.

And it means so damn much.

“What did I do to deserve you?” I ask myself out loud. I haven’t always been a good man. I mean, I’ve tried, and I’ve always tried to be a good father, but I don’t think I’ve ever done anything so grand to deserve this woman in my arms.

“You’re pretty good in bed,” she teases, and I laugh and playfully bite down on her neck. She’s so sexy, and I can’t seem to keep my damn hands off her. It’s a problem, really.

We haven’t spoken about kids yet, but if she wants more, I’m happy to give her that, and if she doesn’t, I’m fine with that, too. Whatever she wants.

I just want to be with her.

In whatever form that comes in.

And to me, that’s what true love is.

One Year Later

I’ve never felt so sick in my life as I do right now.

I knew that proposing was going to bring back memories of the day I lost Ariel, waiting at home for her to return from the salon but her never doing so.

I knew I wasn’t going to let Nadia go anywhere tonight. I don’t want her to leave my sight at all, because I’m just so scared.

I know it’s not rational. There’s not some curse on me that takes away my women the night I’m about to propose to them, but I still can’t help that feeling in my stomach. I know it’s not going to go away until I get down on that knee and ask Nadia if she will be my wife.

And she has no idea what I’m going to ask her tonight.

In fact, as far as she knows we are having a birthday dinner for her, here at our house, and all of our friends and family are coming.

Everyone knows except her. She’s going to hate that, but I thought it would be nice to share this moment with everyone that we love. She always says she has never had the whole big family thing before, and this way just shows her that she does have that now, and that she is so loved by so many people.

Unless she says no to me. Then it’s just awkward for everyone.

“It looks so beautiful,” she comments, glancing out at the garden, which I’ve turned into an outdoor dining setting. I’ve put out lots of round tables, chairs and fairy lights, setting the mood. I’ve even stolen one of the DJs from Kamikaze to come here tonight and play music for us all, and the food is going to be catered by the clubs, too.

It’s nice having a brother who owns half of the city.

“It does,” I agree, looking over at her. “And you look stunning tonight, Nadia. I am the luckiest man in the world.”

At least I will be if she says yes tonight.

“You look pretty handsome yourself,” she replies, touching the collar of my fresh white shirt. “Thanks for making this night so special. I don’t think I’ve ever had a birthday like this, or had anyone put in so much effort for me.”

“Better get used to it,” I tease.

She smiles, her brown eyes lighting up. “I love you.”

“I love you more.”

She rolls her eyes and smiles even wider when there’s a knock on the door. “Someone’s here.”

She rushes off to answer the door, and I pull the red box out of my pocket to look at the ring. Bronte helped me pick it out. It’s a black diamond with a halo of white diamonds surrounding it, her dream ring. Trust her to want something so different, so unique. I love the idea of a black diamond, and it suits her perfectly.

AJ comes over and grins, clapping his hands together. “I’m so excited.”

“Me too,” I reply, winking at him. I hide the ring as Nadia reappears with Bronte and Crow, holding a birthday gift.

“Do you need me to help with anything?” Bronte asks.

“Nope, the staff from the club are setting up all the food, and the DJ is on her way. I think we are all good.”

“The cake looks amazing,” I muse.

Bronte beams. “I can’t wait for her to see it. She’s going to love it.”

Everyone arrives, which is pretty much everyone from the MC and two of Nadia’s friends, Decker and Felix. Felix brought his wife, Clover. She told me her father used to be the president of an MC and she was raised as part of one. Crazy how everyone is connected in weird ways.

The music starts playing and the food and drink start flowing. Every time Nadia moves around the room, my eyes follow her.

“You all right, brother?” Temper asks, studying me.

“I feel sick,” I admit. “I just don’t want her leaving my sight. You know what happened last time.”

“I know. That’s not going to happen this time. You need to relax and enjoy the moment. This is the start of the rest of your life, Trade. Not going to go well if you throw up right now,” he says, lip twitching. “We are all here, and she is here. No one is going anywhere. No one is leaving. It will all be okay, I promise you that.”

I feel so fucking stupid, but I keep taking deep breaths. Realistically I know that he’s right. She is right here in our home, and nothing is going to go wrong.

But that doesn’t mean it’s that simple. I don’t think I’m going to be at ease until she says yes, and then I might be able to relax and enjoy the rest of the night.

Temper pours me a scotch, and I gulp it down. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Nadia comes and sits down next to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Guess what?”

“Hmm,” I say as I take a gulp. I really need to get my shit together.

“Decker asked if I’m looking for a partner at the firm.”

“What?” That is the last thing I expected to hear.

“Yeah, he said that he’s tired of the bureaucracy and he really enjoyed the work we did. So I think he’s going to come work with me. Isn’t that awesome?”

“Wait, what?” I mean, I like Decker, but I still have a feeling he has a crush on Nadia. The idea of them working together all the time—I don’t know how I feel about that. It’s irrational, I know. But I’m just processing it all. “Is that what you want?”

“Yes, I think so. It would mean I wouldn’t have to take on as many cases at once and would have time for you and the kids. I think it will give me the flexibility I want for us.”

I can’t argue with that. She has been working so much, balancing me and the kids with her business.

“If that is what you want, then I support you.” I’ll just have to deal with Decker being around her so much. I guess it could be worse.

“I feel so spoiled tonight, Trade. This is the best birthday ever.”

Hopefully, it’s about to get better.

I nod to the DJ, who stops the music, and I can feel all eyes on me as I stand up, pull the ring out of my pocket and get down on one knee.

Hey eyes widen as she realizes what’s happening. “Oh my God.”

“Nadia, I love you more than you will ever know. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Of course, yes!” she says, smiling through tears as I put the ring on her dainty finger.

Everyone cheers, and she jumps on me, almost making me fall backward onto the grass. “I love you,” she says, squeezing me.

“I love you more,” I reply, kissing her.

More cheers.

The moment is magical, and I feel silly for feeling so fucking anxious for the whole night. But it was all worth it.

She’s worth it.

She looks down at her hand at the ring and smiles so widely. “This ring is perfect. I love it so much.”

“Good.” I owe Bronte.

“I can’t believe...” She trails off, shaking her head. “You are so amazing.”

“I’m glad you think so, because you’re stuck with me...with us now.”

The kids all come over and hug both of us, and my heart has never felt so fucking full.

The music and the party resumes, and everyone comes over to congratulate us. Izzy gives me a warm hug, and I wish I could explain to her how much her support means to me. She has accepted that Mila has a new mother figure, and has never made any of us feel bad about moving on with our lives.

“Thank you.”

She smiles and gives me another hug. “I’m so happy for you all. You make the most beautiful couple.”

“That means a lot to me, Izzy.”

“How long have you been planning this for?” Nadia asks when everyone has returned to their tables to enjoy the night.

“Months,” I admit. “I wanted it to be perfect, and I wanted to share it with everyone we care about.”

“It was perfect,” she replies, resting her head on my shoulder. “And I had no idea it was coming. I can’t stop smiling right now, Trade.”

“Would you like to dance?” I ask, standing and offering her my hand when she nods yes.

I take her out to the middle of the garden, where a makeshift dance floor has been set up, and hold her against me. “I’m not the best dancer,” I admit.

“Me either, at least not slow dancing,” she responds, laughing. She looks so happy right now, and I wish that I could be in this moment forever.

We are joined on the dance floor by everyone else, even the kids coming to have a dance.

At the end of the night, after everyone leaves, I peel her little black dress off her and lay her back on the bed, her ring gleaming in the moonlight.

And then I make love to her as my fiancée.

And yeah, she’s not going anywhere.