Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 80074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
The truth was...
They knew our reality.
Even Shiloh.
Our parents were always aware Cash was Bailey’s biological father, she looked so much like him. They didn’t say one word to us about it, wantin’ us to figure out our journey on our own. Positive we’d come out stronger in the end because of it. My old man, he respected the hell out of Jackson for raisin’ Bailey as his own.
I always wondered how overnight he was acceptin’ of him, especially after almost shootin’ him in front of all of us. I was so consumed by the lies I didn’t even realize how perceptive they could be. Includin’ knowin’ about our marriage.
At the end of the day, it was indeed our story to tell. They were just waitin’ until we were ready.
If Cash’s parents knew Bailey was their blood, they didn’t bring it up. Neither did the rest of our families. However, there would eventually come a time when we would tell Bailey the truth. She was still too young understand.
Maybe we would tell everyone, but right now wasn’t the time. To be honest, I didn’t know when that would, but we would decide together.
Jackson and me.
Our second weddin’ was everythin’ I ever hoped for. Sayin’ our vows under the pier that no longer held any bad memories, or maybe it never did.
It was where we became a family.
Jackson and me.
Just like he promised, he made love to me right on top of that pier late in the night, when no one was around. Provin’ to the world, I truly was his.
Narrowin’ his eyes at me, Jackson arched an eyebrow. Conscious of what I was thinkin’.
“You want to go to the pier later?”
“Maybe.”
He smiled. “I love you, Gremlin.”
I smiled back, repeatin’, “I love you more, Rudolph.”
“Momma! What am I gonna wear?”
“It don’t matter. You’re still ugly.”
“Beau! Get out of my room with your stinky balls!”
“Bailey Pierce! You cannot talk like that,” I reprimanded, shaking my head at her.
“My balls ain’t stinky! Your breath is.”
“Oh my God.” I cradled my face, shakin’ my head again.
You know how people always say kids are the spittin’ image of their parents?
It’s true.
This was my family.
The loves of my life.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
<>Jackson<>
It didn’t take long for Bailey’s friends and our family members to arrive. Spoiling the birthday girl just like we knew they would. Our kids were surrounded by nothing but love and happiness.
Quick recap. Teddy was still alive, loving me more than his momma. Often catching Bailey in her Belle costume from Beauty and the Beast, Teddy dressed as the beast of course. Slow dancing to “Tale as Old as Time.”
My parents still couldn’t keep their hands off one another.
Harley’s parents couldn’t either.
Jagger continued to live and breathe his company while my baby sister was studying abroad in Barcelona. Harley’s brothers, on the other hand, were causing trouble wherever they went, specifically Luke.
Shiloh was kicking ass and taking names as a top lawyer in North Carolina, back in Harley’s life as her best friend.
Trigger and her... Well, let’s just say it was their story to tell.
“Where’s our girl?” Harley’s dad asked, tearing me away from my thoughts. Handing me a beer.
“She’s in the kitchen, getting Bailey’s cake ready so we can sing happy birthday.”
“You know, one day I’m gonna thank you for raising her as your own.”
I chuckled. “I look forward to that day, sir.”
Lucas, Harley’s grandfather, grinned, hearing our exchange like it brought back memories between Creed and him.
When I walked back into the kitchen, Harley had changed into a white sundress after getting out of the pool. I couldn’t help but get hard.
“Gremlin,” I murmured into her ear, coming up behind her. She was lighting the candles on Bailey’s cake.
Wrapping my arms around her belly, I felt our baby bouncing around. At some point, my hands slipped in her dress, wanting to feel her smooth, silky skin against my fingertips. “How do you always smell so fuckin’ good?”
“I do it to fuck with you.”
“You’re still a little shit. Fuckin’ Gremlin.”
“Jackson,” she giggled, hiding her neck. “Babe, there’s people and children around.”
“I’m just loving on my wife.”
“You’re more than loving on her. You’re groping her in front of everyone.”
“You didn’t mind it this morning when my face was buried between your thi—”
“Jackson Pierce! You are rotten to the core.”
“Just how you love it.”
She squirmed out of my embrace, beaming. “Go get your daughter. It’s time to sing “Happy Birthday”.”
“This ain’t over.”
“It is for now.”
To say I wasn’t the happiest man alive would be a lie. I had everything I ever wanted.
A family.
With the girl I loved the most.
My career was at its all-time highest, my wife was fuckin’ perfect, and my kids were little shits exactly like their mother.
My life was finally where I always wanted it to be. We went through so many ups and downs to get where we were today, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.