Page 23 of Taming the Wild Mountain Man

He gets to his feet and draws me in nice and close. "Andnow, let me show you a truly magical night…sweetheart."

EPILOGUE 2

Two years later…

Hume

I used to get my blood pumping during combat missions, or being set on fire for scenes in blockbuster action movies, or coordinating helicopter hoist operations on the search and rescue team.

Not anymore.

These days, as I approach the big five-five, I get my thrills in other ways.

Better ways.

I'm hiding behind the couch, waiting expectantly to see who'll uncover me first—Corbin or Sammy. Corbin is close to taking his first proper steps, but his twin sister Sammy has super sharp instincts, so my money's on her.

A high-pitched squeal proves me right as my darling daughter crawls along the carpeted floor to me, babbling away happily. I swear she's on the cusp of saying "Daddy" any day now.

Tenley, her folks, and I have a bet going to see who will speak first and what word it'll be. I've got a hundred bucks riding on Corbin saying "Mama" before Sammy says "Daddy."

Corbin toddles over, and I pick him up. "What have you got there, buddy?" I ask, scooping up a deflated balloon he was just about to put in his mouth.

Their first birthday party has just wrapped up. Tenley is outside, waving her family off, while I'm with the kids. I was supposed to make a start on cleaning up—who knew a bunch of babies could make this much of a mess?—but I got sidetracked and wanted to have some fun with them.

Can you blame me?

I'm married to an incredible woman, who I share two beautiful children with, and, for the most part, I'm healthy. My hearing hasn't deteriorated these past two years, and my pain episodes occur less frequently and with less severity. So of course I'm going to relish every single minute I can with the three most precious people in the world.

Never in a million years did I think I'd be in this position, and not a day goes by when I don't remind myself how lucky I am. I came so close to not having anything like this at all.

"Well, they're gone," Tenley says, walking in and immediately flopping onto the couch. "And I am pooped." She glances around the room. "How's the clean up going?"

"It's been delayed," I inform her, scooping Corbin under my left arm, Sammy under my right, and joining Tenley on the couch. "It's their fault. We have the two most beautiful kids in the world." She eyes me, unimpressed."They take after their mother, clearly."

"Clearly." Her lips tug upward ever so slightly as she plonks Sammy onto her lap. "And this little one gets all her charm from her Daddy. Just promise me you'll use it for good and notevil, kid." She leans down and presses a gentle kiss to Sammy’s forehead.

"I'll have you know, I only use my charm for good these days, thank you very much."

"That's very true," she concedes, before turning to face me. "Did you enjoy the party? It wasn't too loud?"

Avoiding loud noises is something I have to be mindful of, but Tenley instructed the DJ to keep the volume at background noise level.

"No. It was fine. Did your folks enjoy themselves?"

"They did. Especially Dad. HelovedtheStar Warstheme."

"Did you tell him it was my idea?"

"Yes." She lets out a groan. "About a hundred times."

"Good. Thank you."

So Imayhave pestered her about this a teeny bit before the party. Her family has been great and really welcoming for the most part. Well, her youngest sister, Beth, was a tough nut to crack, but apparently, that's a well-known thing. Tenley's parents are wonderful, but I always sensed a slight hesitation from her father. Makes sense. I'm closer to his age than I am to Tenley's. So whatever I need to do to get into—and stay—in that man's good books, I'm doing.

"You wanna take a shower?" I suggest. It's been a long day, and she does look tired.

"That'd be great. You okay here?"

---