Watching Trin by Freya Barker
Epilogue
Trin
“Those go in the loft over the master.”
I point Tucker and Ravi hauling boxes in the right direction, before turning back to Nira, who is unpacking the last of my glassware. Between Bodhi’s and my stuff, we have overflowing cabinets with enough left over to set Tucker up when he heads off to college in a few years.
Bodhi left room for the few pieces of furniture I’m attached to and had temporarily stored when I moved back to Durango. The house is starting to look like we both belong here.
Over the past two months both Tuck and I spent a lot of our weekends here. Even while Bodhi was working. If it had only been me, I would probably have moved in right away, but I wanted to wait until the last week of Christmas break. This way Tuck can get settled into the new place and a new routine at the return to school in this new year.
The three of us spent New Year’s Eve and January first at Hayden and Boone’s ranch in Texas, which was a nice break, before returning to finish up packing for the move.
Now my ‘new’ gently-used Jeep is parked in the driveway and Tucker’s dirt bike is mostly assembled in the large garage beside Bodhi’s latest purchase; a snowmobile. The house is chaotic, with boxes everywhere and lots of helping hands, but it feels like home.
Tomorrow, when it’s just us here, I can’t wait to head up to my loft and get started on my new project. It was Wapi who gave me the idea. I think it was right after Thanksgiving I bumped into him and he asked how my article was coming along. I confessed I never had the heart to finish it with all the news stories and local gossip floating around already. When I mentioned I wouldn’t be able to do everyone involved justice in what at most would be a page-long article, he’s the one who suggested turning it into a book.
I’ve already decided I’m changing the names of the people involved, to protect what is left of their privacy, but the story itself will stick to the facts. I have no idea what will come of it once I’m done, but as Bodhi suggested, I won’t know until I try.
“Chuck’s here with the pizza!” Tucker hollers as I hear him clomping down the stairs.
Nira snorts from the kitchen, making her displeasure known. She offered to cook for everyone, but Bodhi nipped that in the bud. It would only add to what is already a hectic day. Pizza is easier.
At Tucker’s loud announcement, everyone automatically congregates around the large dining table, before Chuck even walks in with the stack of boxes.
Vic, who surfaced from the walk-in closet in the master she volunteered to organize, opens the fridge and pulls out a handful of beers.
I grab an empty seat beside Sumo, across from Tucker, and Bodhi claims the one on my other side, leaning in to drop a quick kiss on my cheek.
“I’m here!” Anika announces as she barges in the front door. “Sorry I’m late, my client was chatty.”
“Timed perfectly. After the heavy work is done but before pizza,” Bodhi teases.
“Anika, grab the napkins from the cupboard over the stove,” Nira tells her daughter.
I notice Hog, another crew member from the firehouse, is watching Bodhi’s sister with rapt attention. Turns out I’m not the only one.
“Your mother never told you you’ll go blind if you stare too hard?” Sumo fires off at Hog with a big grin on his face.
“Bite me,” Hog grumbles, ducking his head.
“I prefer pizza.”
Sumo flips open a box and is the first to dig in. In no time everyone is reaching for a slice, even Nira, which makes me laugh.
I barely notice Bodhi putting a couple of slices on a napkin in front of me, I’m too busy taking in the moment.
* * *
Bodhi
“Everything okay?”
I noticed Trin going silent beside me at the table earlier, but I didn’t want to draw any attention by asking then.
Now everyone’s gone, Tuck is hanging with Ravi in what he’s dubbed his man-den, and Trin and I just put our feet up in the living room, snuggled on the couch.
Many hands make light work as they say, and I’d have to agree. We’re blessed with great friends and loved ones, who helped us whip this place into shape in no time.
“Couldn’t be better,” she says, rolling her head to the side to look at me.
“You were kind of quiet at dinner,” I point out.
She smiles warmly.
“I know. I was savoring the moment. I’ve always dreamed of having a large family at my dinner table, wasn’t sure it was ever gonna happen. This was a first for me.”
I press my lips against the side of her head.
“There will be plenty more,” I promise her.
She puts a hand on my stomach.
“I know, and that makes me really happy. This is the kind of life I’ve always wanted Tucker to have.”
She ducks out from under my arm, climbs on top of me with her knees on either side of my hips, and settles into a straddle.
“I have you to thank for it.” She brushes my lips with hers. “I love you.”
“And I didn’t even have to beg,” I whisper.
With my hands full of her ass, I slant my mouth and slip my tongue between her lips, kissing her properly.
“Oh, geeze…gross. Avert your eyes, Ravi,” I hear Tucker warn his friend. “It’s like every time I walk into a room,” he grumbles. “I’m gonna have to start wearing a cowbell.”
Ravi snorts loudly from the kitchen.
Trin’s lips curve into a smile against mine as rumbled laughter escapes me.
Life is fucking amazing.
* * *
THE END