Page 104 of The One for Forever

Quinn’s eyes are shining. “Of course I want that. I just didn’t know ifyouwanted to have more kids. I was nervous to ask. It’s not a deal breaker.”

But. I hear that word in what she’s not saying.But.

“You deserve to have everything,” I say. “You shouldn’t have to sacrifice to be with me. I’d never ask that of you.”

She shakes her head, trying to pull away from my grip. “But this decision can’t be something that’s just for me.”

“Hey, hold on. I didn’t mean for it to sound that way.” I move my hands to cradle her face, looking deep into her pale blue eyes. “After Cliff was grown, I didn’t imagine I’d have another child. It didn’t even occur to me. But Idowant that with you. I want it so badly it’s been taking up more and more space in my head. I want to watch your belly grow and hold our baby in my arms. Or babies, plural. And see how incredible Iknowyou’ll be as a mom. Let me share that with you, Quinn. Let me be the father of your children.”

She shivers. “Oh wow. That’s the hottest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. I have never been this turned on.”

I laugh and kiss her nose. “Slow down, gorgeous. Give a guy a little time to prepare. And I promise, I will give you the family and the life you’ve been dreaming of.”

“If you let me do the same for you, then you’ve got a deal.”

EPILOGUE

Cliff clinks a fork against his beer glass. “I’d like to make a toast to my dad. Five decades. Damn. People say these days that fifty is the new forty. But Dad, you like to keep it old school, and I respect that about you.”

There’s laughter and cheers around the private room Cliff rented in this steakhouse for my birthday. All my friends and family have been taking turns roasting me. First my Bennett Security teammates, then some fellow Team Triumph volunteers and a few Green Beret buddies who made the trip for the occasion, and now my kid.

Yeah, I might be among the oldest guys here. But I’ve got the most beautiful woman by my side, so I’m not complaining. I don’t think Quinn is complaining either, judging by the way she’s been massaging my thigh under the table.

Or the desperate, lust-drunk moans she made when I was inside her this morning.

“But seriously, Dad,” Cliff says. “You’re the best. You’ve always supported me, even when I was too pigheaded to realize it. I’ve been changing a lot about my life in the last six months, and your advice has really helped.”

My skin warms all over. Cliff has never said that to me, and it means more than he could know. But Quinn understands. She reaches for my hand and grips it tight.

“And while it surprised me that you fell in love with my best friend, now I couldn’t be happier for the both of you. Because I see how perfect you are for one another. Your ages might be different, but your souls match up in all the ways that count. It’s the best thing in the world to see two people that I love making each other so happy. Love you, Q. Love you, Dad. Cheers.”

We all drink to that. Then Cliff pounds his palm on the table, shouting that it’s my turn to make a speech. My other friends follow. The ruckus only dies down when I hold up my hands in a placating gesture.

“Okay, okay.” I stand up and lift my glass.

Cliff gives me a small nod of encouragement. It’s possible that my son and I coordinated this part. A little theatrical, sure. But it’s for a good purpose.

“Thank you all so much for being here to celebrate with me. And to commiserate with me over the fact that I’ve reached half a century. But looking around at all of your faces, I’m blown away at how many amazing memories I’ve packed into that time. More than any guy could expect in a lifetime, and trust me, I’m still going strong. I’m grateful for what I’ve accomplished with all of you. My brothers in arms.” I raise my glass to my various teammates. “My son Cliff, who’s making me so damn proud. My friends from my years here in West Oaks, and friends who’vestuck with me from before. Including those who can’t be here today.”

I pause briefly, meeting eyes around the room. Thinking of Cliff’s mother, of course, but also the brothers and friends we’ve all lost along the way.

Then I turn to Quinn. And I set my glass on the table. “Most of all, I am grateful for you, Quinn. Most people are lucky to get one great love in life, and somehow, I get to have two. You are extraordinary. Not just in the courtroom. Or when you’re famously solving cases as skillfully as any investigator.” I wink, and laughter spreads quietly through the room. “You also take care of me in all the ways I didn’t realize I was missing.”

Quinn is gazing up at me from her seat with a sheen of tears in her eyes.I love you, she mouths silently. Which just makes me smile bigger, because I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she hears the next part.

I dig a hand into my pants pocket. “I’ve been on this earth for fifty years now, as all of my friends keep reminding me. I intend to stick around for at least another fifty. And I hope to spend every single one of them with you. You are the only woman for me, and I’m honored to have you by my side.”

I get down on one knee and pull the ring box from my pocket. “Quinn, will you marry me?”

She gasps, and her hands fly to her mouth. Then she jumps up and nearly tackles me as she kisses me. My beer glass knocks over on the table. We’re laughing and maybe crying—I’ll admit it—and for a brief second, time seems to freeze.

This is where our live truly begins, I think.So long as she says yes.

Of course she said yes.

Six months later, I’m standing behind the beach house in a tuxedo, a brand-new one bought just for this occasion. Waves crash onto the sand beyond, and a cool breeze drifts over, caressing the back of my neck. A violin soloist plays while our friends and family talk quietly, taking their seats.

The sun is just sinking beneath the horizon, painting the sky with broad strokes of color.

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