Page 215 of Cocky Caveman

I look down, admiring my platinum and rose gold Australian Argyle champagne diamond ring. Tucker chose the most stunning setting for the pear-cut one-carat diamond, surrounded by a halo of claw set oval-shaped small diamonds. It is far more beautiful than I can explain.

We celebrated with bubbly and steaks and dessert. The pavlovas were made secretly by Gwen and Teagan using the commercial oven in the MacDougalls’ kitchen.

I remember whispering in Tucker’s ear, “What have you done with Big A?” He laughed and whispered back that no anacondas got harmed and that Brodie and Knox asked around at college. The word was the Gi Collection tape, and Carmen Liu panty were the recommended tools to get a smooth look. He told me to YouTube Alayna June, and then I would understand.

More surprises were coming that day. It turns out Matthew had a man-to-man talk with Tucker in late March, explaining his love for Alice, and he wanted help with choosing a ring. They thought it would be a great idea to make their proposals on the same day in April with everyone already present.

During dessert, Matty stood proudly and vowed that his heart and devotion belonged to Alice and presented her with a promise ring. Alice cried.

The whole sisterhood cried.

The men looked for napkins,anythingto assist.

We were married that fall in a beautiful garden ceremony surrounded by friends and family.

Gwen’s six-month vacation was up, and she had flown home to Australia, but then she was back for our wedding with her dads and stayed for a month. She’s been on and off traveling between two countries, but I haven’t seen my friend in six months, and I miss her terribly when she’s not here. I know she misses her dads when she is here.

I can’t ask my friend to leave her dads and live here permanently, just to please me, and Shamus has yet to give her a reason to stay.

Teagan finally put her college degree to good use. She is a special needs teacher and has recently bought her own place in Temecula.

The Fainting Goat Ranch Airbnb has been going well, and I am still enjoying it as much as I did when it first opened. Goat yoga has become a local hit and just an excuse to have fun with the pygmies. Everybody leaves less stressed and with a smile—winning.

I concentrate on my writing for an hour each day and have written seven books in my paranormal bounty hunter series over the past three years. They are as yet unpublished. I have dedicated my time to our children, Tucker, our newish lodgers (wait for it), and the Airbnb.

It’s been a lot of change, and I haven’t wanted to overload myself. My writing will find its time to get released, and I will have Judy and Jeff guiding and mentoring me.

Santiago was sad to see Alice and Teagan leave the Cocky Green Cactus, and he still manages it for us to this day. We are always catching up with him and Isabella. We drive down when we can and don’t have any Fainting Goat bookings and stay a night in Redondo Beach with Judy and Jeff and eat at our favorite taco bar.

Tucker still writes songs for musicians and bands and has a small group of local children he gives music lessons to once a week, and he dedicates time to any charity events for Hudson Raine’s Center for Hope, and of course, he helps out with the Fainting Goat Ranch. He loves the animals as much as I do.

I won’t lie, we have super busy lives, but we share the load, supporting each other. Tucker hasn’t accepted any more work from Boxer since the San Diego job, and we haven’t spent a day apart.

I am flattening the last empty box when my phone sends an alert notification. The baby-cam footage shows our three-month-old baby girl, Nevaeh—pronouncedneh-vay-ah—is awake.

Coco and Oscar jump off their mini doggy sofa and follow on behind me while I stop by the kitchen, putting milk for Nevaeh into the bottle warmer before heading up the stairs toward the nursery.

The double brick homestead got a complete overhaul with renovations, and we added a second-story and four-car garage. It doesn’t look like the same home on the inside and outside. We now have a music studio, gym, a fifth bedroom, a study, and a third bathroom, completing it all just before getting blessed with Rory when he was eighteen months old.

“Hey, baby girl.” I reach into her crib and scoop her out. Our daughter is perfection, even with her diaper overflowing with poop. The brown sludge is seeping through the back of her pink sleep onesie. “Pooweee. You are a stinky princess. Mama has to clean you up and get you smelling like sunshine again.” She giggles in response to my gentle singsong.

Laying her down on the changing table, I proceed to blow noisy raspberries on her chubby cheeks, getting rewarded with more giggling. “I love you so much little one, you may not be born from my body, but I thank every moment of the day we found an incredible surrogate mother to nourish and carry you for us,” I whisper to her innocence.

I turn the speaker on because Nevaeh loves music, locate my favorite playlist on my Spotify, and start singing softly to “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder while cleaning my baby up, then sanitize my hands.

I have kept my promise and sing something every day while working, being a parent, or singing along to whatever Tucker is playing. My children seem impressed with my talents, which means I am winning all the way.

Today’s baby outfit is the cutest watermelon-colored bodysuit (for easy diaper access) with lace trim and an attached bright floral skirt in olive, watermelon, and peach colors.

Nevaeh is a stylish bub after receiving many clothing gifts in various sizes from our friends and some gorgeous pre-loved outfits from Paisley, who now has two little girls. Wiley is one proud daddy.

We have such a big social circle now that we became great friends with Phoenix’s sisterhood of ladies and their Ocean Beach men and the bikers who Tucker made lasting friendships with from the secret job he worked with Phoenix and Slade. Several times a year, we get together here or in San Diego with them for special events like Edge’s engagement and the birth of his children.

“Okay, princess, one last thing.” I slip the soft headband with a big bow in the skirt floral pattern onto her dusting of light-brown hair.

Picking her up, I rub our noses together, getting rewarded with more giggles. Neveah’s had a good sleep and is bright and happy, ready for all the attention she is about to receive.

“Let’s go get your milk, baby girl, and then after I’ve fed you, we will find Auntie Alice and Uncle Matty and your big brother before your handsome daddy arrives.” I cradle her protectively against my chest.

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