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“Yes, Tuesday would be great,” Ava says on the phone, walking into the room. She catches sight of what’s happening and rolls her eyes at Nick, but she can’t keep the smile off her lips.
In the last two years, I’ve kept every one of my promises to her. The day I proposed, I’d already set plans in motion to disband The Crows and register a real, legit company. We put all the money we’d made in the shadows to good use, and now our business is incredibly successful. None of it would’ve been possible without Ava. She’s my motivation for everything and has stood by my side through it all.
Our old hacker is now head of IT, Jace is in charge of training bodyguards to make sure we’re hiring only the best, and Nick is still by my side as VP. We’re doing good in the world, and it’s like a huge weight off my shoulders.
“Nick! Stop spoiling her,” Ava calls out as she puts the phone down and walks over to Adeline. Our toddler giggles, chocolate staining her hands and face. “Did Uncle Nick give you more cookies, huh?” she coos, kissing our daughter’s blonde hair.
“Uncle Nick’s gone soft,” I snort, earning myself a glare from him.
“You’re just jealous I’m Addie’s favorite,” he shoots back with pride, crossing his arms over his chest. At that moment, Jace walks in, and Adeline reaches for him with sticky hands.
“Un-ko Jay-Jay!” she calls out in her sweet little voice, squealing with happiness when Jace obliges by scooping her up.
Nick pouts. “Oh come on, that’s not fair! I gave you cookies and everything!”
“She just has good taste,” Jace says with a raised brow, and Ava and I explode into laughter.
We never really got out of the habit of having team meetings at the house, even though, technically, we have offices for that now. Old habits die hard, and after years of this home being open to my closest allies, I don’t think I could get them to stop showing up if I tried. Not that I’ve tried.
Ava likes having them here, likes having a found family to replace the shitty one she had for most of her life. She told me before that she wants Adeline, and our future kids, to grow up surrounded by people who will love and protect them. Since we don’t have much blood family to speak of, our friends have become Adeline’s family instead. And damn if that doesn’t melt my cold, icy heart.
Jace hands Adeline to me and goes over to Nick, yanking him to his feet. “We’re late,” he says, shoving him towards the front door.
Ava says goodbye, and Addie waves as they leave to head to the office. I set Addie down in her bouncer and walk over to my wife. Wrapping my arms around her from behind, I set my hand on her swollen stomach. In five months, we’ll be a family of four, and it still feels surreal. I don’t deserve this, and yet she tells me every day how much she thinks I do.
“Aren’t you going to work, too?” she asks, turning to catch my mouth in a soft kiss.
“No,” I tell her, spinning her around so I can kiss her properly. “I’ve decided to take the day off to spend with my favorite people.”
“Don’t let Nick hear he’s not your favorite,” she teases with a giggle. “He might never recover from the heartbreak.”
I laugh, pulling her close. “Nobody means more to me than you and Adeline, and this little one,” I tell her. “You’re my whole world.”
Ava grins wide, her eyes sparkling. “I love you so much, Axel Corbyn.”
“I love you more than anything, Ava Corbyn,” I say, kissing her again and soaking up the happiness we’ve created.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
AVA
Eight Years Later
“Ten years ago, I made a decision to be a better man,” my husband begins, his voice amplified by the microphone in front of him. On stage in his black suit, he looks incredible. Powerful and proud and hot as hell. “You see, I met a girl who changed my world. I knew I wanted to change the world for her. And so, Corbyn Security was born.”
I listen to his speech with keen interest as he talks about how far he and the company have come, the good they’ve done, the plans they have for the future. He thanks his clients, his employees—with special mentions to Nick and Jace of course—and the people he’s worked with from other companies and teams. I’m so proud, I have tears in my eyes by the time he’s finishing up.
“I’d like to ask my beautiful wife, Ava, to join me on the stage,” he says, and I rush to my feet as everyone claps.
It’s the tenth anniversary of our company, and all our employees, some clients, and professional connections have joined us to celebrate. The party is huge, and the roar of cheering and applause is deafening as I make my way to the stage. My gold dress shimmers in the lights as I climb the steps and take Axel’s hand. “I owe everything to this woman. So, Ava, I thank you for everything you have done for me. I am the man I am because you helped me to become him.”
He turns us to face the audience, showing me off. I’m grinning so hard my face hurts.
“Please put your hands together to the inspiration and heart of this company—my stunning wife, Ava Corbyn,” he says, and this time when everyone cheers, Axel wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I tilt my head up, kissing him without care for the fact everyone’s watching, and when we break away, I hear Nick wolf whistle from somewhere near the bar and burst out laughing.
“Now let’s party!” I call out to more cheers, and Axel leads me back to our seats.
It’s not often we have a night for just us, without our kids, but they’re safe at home with a babysitter who went through the world’s most detailed interview before Axel hired her. I love being a mother, but it’s nice to get some time for just us two, too.
