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; “Well then, where shall we go to celebrate your birthday dinner? You name the place, and I’ll make it happen.”
She blinked up at him, shy suddenly. “I was thinking your bed. Does that suit?”
Without another word, he scooped down and lifted her, holding her to his chest. She was the most perfect creature in the world, and he was not going to waste his second chance.
EPILOGUE
Three years later.
“And so you finally married me,” Hendrix grinned with a dramatic sigh, taking up a spot on the bench beside her. The warm summer breeze rustled passed, lifting Chloe’s hair.
“And so we finally got married,” she agreed, her smile taking over her features. The sun seemed to burst from her soul. Her happiness was a force of its own.
“It only took me three years to get you down the aisle.”
“Three wonderful years,” she retorted, snuggling her head onto his shoulder.
“I won’t disagree with you there.” He put an arm around her shoulders, holding her tight. “When I met you, Ellie was little more than a baby. And now she’s in school.”
“Mmmm,” Chloe pulled a face. “She’s five going on fifteen. Did you notice she refused to wear the flower girl dress we picked out?”
He laughed softly. “I thought the Bob the Builder overalls were perfect, actually.”
“They just didn’t quite match the Tinkerbell wings,” she said with an exaggerated sigh.
“You have raised a beautiful little wildling. A perfect individual. And she looked almost as radiantly beautiful as you today.”
Chloe smiled up at him. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr Forrester. And you have had more than a small bit to do with how she’s growing up.” She stroked his cheek lovingly. “I can’t remember a time in my life when you weren’t here.”
“Me neither. I missed the first two birthdays of Ellie’s life, but I’m not going to miss another.”
“How did I get so lucky?” Chloe teased, her head on Hendrix’s shoulder.
“By being the most deserving, and wonderful woman in the world. You remember that poster you told me about?”
A far ago memory came to Chloe, but it wasn’t quite clear. She grasped at it, and then shook her head.
“You needed a hero, and so you became one yourself.” He kissed her forehead. “You are a hero. To yourself, and to me. You rescued me, Chloe. When all I had was grief and anger, you brought me back to life.”
“And you saved me. I hate to think where I’d be if I hadn’t met you.”
“Ruling the world,” he responded seriously. “You never needed saving. You are the bravest woman I’ve ever met. I’m just lucky you decided to let me share your life.”
“Okay. Have it your way. You’re lucky to have me.”
“Glad you agree with me.”
He eased back against the side of the yacht. “Now sit back and look out there.”
Chloe peered across the ocean. It was glistening in the afternoon sun; the water was making a splashing sound across the bow of the luxury boat. “I don’t see anything,” she murmured distractedly. “What is it? Dolphins?”
“No,” he squeezed her shoulder. “It’s our future.”
She laughed. “We’re literally riding off into the sunset together?”
“You better believe it. Nothing but the best for you.”
