Page 156 of True North

After I have lost count of the times the hallway has been traveled, my hand rubbing his small back, I look up to find Harry leaning in our doorway, boxers and a bare chest, his hair is ruffled to a mess, crooked smile and deep blue gaze fixed on his wife and son.

He’s a sight for sore eyes, alright.

“Let me, Lou.”

He pads to where I pace, taking Reed from my arms. Before he takes up the movement, he hovers, forehead pressing to my temple. “How can I ever repay you, darlin’?”

“What for, my love?”

“Givin’ me this big, beautiful life. These four boys...”

“You don’t owe me a thing,” I whisper.

It’s true. Where would I be without this man?

A captain is nothing without her ship.

He loses a small groan, as if being this close has him all worked up despite the fidgeting baby boy between us.

“When you figure it out, Louisa May, you let me know.”

Dotting kisses to my cheek, he peels away, taking Reed on their first lap of the hallway, the small blond head poking over his shoulder. He leans his head to Reed’s. His dark hair a stark contrast, even in this dim light. Father to son.

Imagine the things our boy will learn from this great man.

The milestones we will all travel together.

I decide, right in that moment, I want to make sure each one is marked somehow. A way to make sure our family takes stock every year. So nothing is overlooked, nothing is forgotten. And our bonds stay strong. Something only for us, not skewed by any other celebration.

Harry turns back and wanders toward me with a rhythmic sway in his step, quietly humming, I know what I want.

“I want a party, every year, for my birthday.”

Harry raises an eyebrow. “That all? Isn’t that a given?”

I breathe a small laugh. “I want everyone there. Every last person who is special to our family. Every year, to mark the milestones we have traveled. That’s what I want.”

“Then it shall be done.” He winks at me and waves me away. “Back to bed, Louisa May. Us men need a moment.”

With a soft laugh, I kiss his cheek as he passes by, making a U-turn back down the hall. The low rumble of his melody makes my heart swell.

“Lou?” he rasps, and I turn with a hand on our bedroom doorframe.

“Get some sleep, woman. I’m sure this lot will be mutinous in the mornin’.”

I shake my head at him as he pretends to walk peg legged, one arm holding Reed tight.

“Let’s hope so.”

The smile blooming over my face is one part joy, one part adoration. And absolutely one hundred percent grateful this man waited.

Because lord above... he didn’t have to.

Extended Epilogue

HARRY

ALMOST TWENTY-SIX YEARS LATER . . .

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