SEAL’s Love by Leslie North

Epilogue

Two years later…

Housewarming Party Day.

Something Colin never thought he’d have. Not that he wasn’t into homeownership, but for the past few years, there didn’t seem much point before with him working so much and on his own. But Harper had changed all that. Harper had changed everything.

“Babe? Can you grab that bowl of chips for me?” she asked from the kitchen, jarring him out of his thoughts. “And make sure there’s enough dip too, please?”

“Sure thing, darlin’.” He did as she’d asked, then carried both things into the living room for their guests. Logan and Hope were there with Reese, who was now three and a half, running everywhere and getting into everything. Greg and Mattie had come too, with Liza. Mattie was pregnant now, due in a couple of months, and Greg was over the moon about it all. Kept showing Colin blurry black-and-white ultrasound images that were supposed to be a baby, but all Colin could see was something that looked vaguely like an alien. Still, he smiled and oohhed and ahhed, happy for his friend.

Even Colin’s parents were there, in town for some business meeting his dad had in Baltimore. They were milling about, checking out all the rooms of the two-story, craftsmen-style place Colin and Harper had bought together. They still had lots of decorating to do, but were taking it slow, buying stuff that meant something to them rather than just filling up the place with a bunch of clutter. And speaking of clutter, his mom was pointing at the abstract art bust she and Dad had bought as a gift for him and Harper. He put down the refreshments, then headed over to his parents, hoping to head off whatever was happening there.

“Hey, glad you guys could come today,” he said, smiling broader than necessary. “Having a good time?”

“Uh, yes, son. Yes,” his father said. “Nice place. Small, but nice.”

“Thanks.” He avoided snorting, barely. Considering his parents’ house in Connecticut was a slightly smaller version of the Taj Mahal, anything would seem small. “Glad you like it.”

“Speaking of liking things,” his mother said. “I’m not sure this piece goes with the décor. Maybe I should return it to the gallery and get something more appropriate.”

Honestly, Colin was pretty sure anything from the high-end art place his mom liked to shop at would not blend with his and Harper’s style, but it was the thought that counted, right? “It’s fine, Mom. Seriously. We love it.”

She gave him a skeptical look, then leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Well, anyway. I’m so happy for you both. What a lovely home to start a family in. Have the two of you started thinking about that yet?”

Uncomfortable heat prickled up from beneath the collar of his shirt, and he scrambled for an excuse to get out of there. He and Harper had never been happier, taking their relationship day by day and choosing happiness, commitment, and love each morning. At first it had been tough for him to get over his indoctrinated beliefs about what forever looked like, but now, he was living more joyfully and felt more fulfilled than he had ever in his life. All thanks to Harper. And if she was happy, he was happy.

Not everyone saw it like that, though, and his parents were pushing for grandkids.

They’d get around to it. Eventually.

His mother took a sip of her wine, and Colin seized on his chance to escape. “Looks like you need a refill, Mom.” He took the glass from her hand before she could respond. “Be right back.”

Returning to the kitchen, he was surprised to find Harper not there. She’d been planning and preparing for this party for weeks and took her cooking seriously. Wasn’t like her to abandon her post. He frowned and leaned over the island, calling into the open living room. “Anyone seen Harper?”

Logan and Hope both shook their heads. Greg and Mattie did too. His parents looked anywhere but at him and yep. Something was up. If that niggle in his gut wasn’t enough to convince him, the fact that a hush had fallen over his guests certainly was. Logan and Greg never shut up unless forced.

“Uh, son,” his dad said, walking over to the granite-topped island and setting his now-empty wine glass atop it. “Could you come outside with me for a second? I could use your help with something.”

Confused, he gave his dad a look. “I’m kind of in the middle of a party here, Dad. I’m sure whatever it is can wait until later, right? I’ve got guests to entertain.”

“Actually, you should probably come now, man,” Greg said.

“Yeah, don’t worry about your guests. They’re self-entertaining.”

“Dude, that sounds weird,” Greg said, frowning. “Like we’re doing something sketchy.”

Colin’s dad cleared his throat, looking more annoyed by the second.

Okay. Yeah. There was definitely something up here.

“Come on,” Logan said, hooking his arm through Colin’s. “It’ll just take a second.”

Grumbling, Colin allowed them to drag him out of the kitchen and down a short hall to the patio doors, which were open because it was late May and beautiful out. He barely noticed the blue skies or the soft breeze because of what was before him.

Harper, along with her mom and Serenity, had transformed their small, fenced-in backyard into a romantic oasis. Rose petals, twinkle lights, music, the works. Harper had changed too, from the shorts and top she’d been wearing to a twirly pink sundress. It hugged her curves in all the right places and the color made her look ethereal, angelic. Colin was completely bewitched and bewildered.

“When did you have time to—” he started to ask when she walked over and took his hand, leading him out to the center of the yard where they’d made a huge heart out of flowers. He was vaguely aware of his parents and Logan and Hope and the rest of them standing on the patio, watching.

“Shhhh,” she whispered, beaming up at him before kissing him softly. “I love you Colin Parks. You made me believe in forever. And now, I want forever with you. Because you’ve made me greedy for as much time with you as possible. I want to do everything I can to make you feel as loved and as special as possible, just like you do for me. So…” She turned to her mom and Serenity, who handed her a small black box, which she opened before Colin. Inside was a ring, platinum with a small piece of Aurora Amethyst embedded into it. “Will you marry me, Colin Parks?”

Chest tight and throat constricted, Colin nodded, still not quite able to believe this was actually happening. “Yes. Yes, Harper Bell. I will marry you. I love you, more than I can ever say.”

Celebration erupted all around. There were hugs and kisses and slaps on the back. Even his mom and dad were thrilled by the news. They danced and ate and played games in the backyard, but all Colin could think about was getting Harper alone. Whenever his emotions were high, he wanted privacy, with only her around—and damn, he felt like he was going to explode with feelings at the moment.

Finally, during a lull in the activity, he managed to grab Harper and pull her aside, taking her into their bedroom and closing the door. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her like there was no tomorrow, even though now they had all the tomorrows they could ever want. Afterward, he pulled back, locking his arms around her and resting his forehead against hers. “I love you,” he said. “So much it hurts. But you didn’t have to do this, darlin’.”

“I know.” Harper grinned up at him. “That’s why I did it.”

He kissed her again just because it felt so damned good.

“Thanks for proposing,” he whispered against her lips.

“Thanks for being my forever,” she said back, nuzzling his jaw.