it’s a new season, but you’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Says the man who’s built ski resorts his entire life,” she laughs.
“Seriously though, I’ll be with you.”
She tugs on my arm, turning from the mostly dissipated crowd. “I mean I can’t go on the lift, or rather, I can’t ski down the mountain.”
“Why not?”
“Because...” She breaks out into a massive smile. “Because I’m pregnant.” She laughs, shaking her head. “I mean, because we’re pregnant. We’re having a baby, Ronan.”
“Holy hell,” I shout, shocked and in awe. “You always beat me to the punch, you know that right?”
“Are you always going to hold the fact I said I love you first, against me?” She puts a hand on her hip, and I can’t keep my eyes from her. She’s having my child. I’m going to be a father. “Besides,” she adds. “What’s the punch to beat here?”
I drop to one knee and then reach into my parka, pulling out a black box.
“The punch here is, will you marry me, Bella? Will you be my bride?”
She falls to her knees too, wrapping her arms around my neck, and kissing me squarely on the mouth. Spontaneous as hell, that’s my Bella, through and through.
“Of course, I will, beast, as long as being your wife doesn’t mean you’ll get tame in the bedroom.”
I pull her closer. In her ear, I growl, “Never, my beauty. I’ll always be wild for you.”
Epilogue 2: Five Years Later
Bella
“One more book, Mama, pretty please?” Alice asks, sleepy-eyed, and with a yawn on her lips.
“You are one tired bug,” I tell her, nestling her closer to me in the over-sized armchair of the library. I have Tucker in the crook of my other arm, and he’s out cold. Milk drool on his lips. Precious as pie. Clearly, it’s nearing bedtime for everyone.
“That’s better, loves,” Ronan says, standing up from the fireplace where he has just added kindling. “Now let me put Tucker in his bassinet so you’re more comfortable,” he says reaching for our newborn. When he takes our son from me, he gives me a gentle kiss.
I close my eyes, my body aches for him. It’s been weeks since we’ve been intimate and I’m ready for him to give me sweet dreams tonight.
“Thank you, Ronan,” I say. He looks at me, offering a wink. “On second thought,” he says, noticing the look in my eyes. “Why don’t we try putting him in his crib in his bedroom for a few hours?”
I bite the corner of my lip. “Perfect. And this little one will be in bed soon, too.”
Ronan kisses his daughter goodnight and takes Tucker with him. Having a newborn at Christmas is such a joy but as I cover a yawn to match Alice’s, I’m reminded that a newborn also makes for one sleepy Mama.
“You’re tired too, Mama,” Alice says, her words as soft as her heart. She’s such a gift, one that I will never tire of. “A story can wait.” She says it kindly, but I can see how badly she wants just one more story.
A girl after her Mama’s heart.
“I’m almost ready for bed,” I tell her thinking of Ronan waiting for me in our room. “But I’ll tell you one more.”
Alice looks up at me with her eyes bright; the beautiful fire behind us casting a glow to my favorite room in the estate.
“Which one?” she asks.
“My favorite one. The one where a young woman is caught in a snowstorm and she finds a beast behind the doors of a mountain mansion. But—”
Alice cuts me off. “But then they fall in love!” Alice lights up, more awake now. “This is my favorite fairytale, Mama.”
I kiss her forehead, my heart singing with pride. “It’s my favorite fairytale, too.”
EXPOSÉ
The Gossip Column You Can Sink Your Teeth Into
IS THE HIGHEST BIDDER HOT OR NOT? By Trista Piper
Heiress Justine Van De Shire, daughter of adult-video empire, Hot Spot Entertainment, has recently made a shocking decision to sell her virginity to the highest bidder in an effort to raise money for charity.
The scandalous new law in Alaska allows for the sale of sex and the auction will take place in the wild mountain state.
Justine says she’s ready to go to the Alaskan bush... but here at EXPOSÉ, inquiring minds are more interested in what Justine’s actual bush looks like.
After all, she’s a twenty-four-year-old virgin.
When asked about her landing strip, she made a conservative statement, “My lady parts are well-groomed, for what it’s worth. But I’d rather discuss the charity I’m