beautiful babies together. I could see us sitting at our children’s graduations and meeting our grandchildren together. It was a future I’d never imagined before.
And then there was Xander. Meeting him changed everything.
The bumpy road that Nelle recommended I take was turning out to be the best ride ever. I was never letting him go. I hoped he was ready for me to stick to him like glue. He was stuck with me. He could run, but I had already proven I would find him.
He was mine.
Epilogue
Xander
One year later
Pride. That was what I felt in that moment. My ships were heading out to sea. Everyone else was already making their way back away from the dock. I couldn’t leave just yet. I watched the ships navigate out to sea one at a time. I didn’t have children, but I imagined what I was feeling was similar to what a proud papa would feel.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Charlie next to me.
“This is a big day,” he said.
“It is. You pulled it off.”
“You pulled it off.”
“What do you think?” I asked him. “Is it going to work? Do you foresee them falling apart halfway around the world?”
He shook his head. “My guys did excellent work. That shit is solid.”
“Good. Those test ships seem to be holding up.”
“Of course, they will. My team is the best. Your idea wasn’t half-bad either.”
“Thanks,” I said, watching as one of the ships cleared the harbor.
“You know, you could have made a lot more money with that plan,” he lectured.
“I could have but I already have a lot of money. This one was on the house.”
He slugged my shoulder. “On the house my ass. You still cleared a few million.”
“You and I both know it was worth ten times that.”
“You should consider going into marketing,” he said with a laugh. “I never would have given something away with the goal of it paying off like that.”
“It’s the oldest trick in the book,” I told him. “I gave it to a small company, and when the big guys noticed, they all wanted it. It was basically my coupon.”
“Your business does not need coupons.”
“It worked though,” I said with a grin.
“It did. That fleet represents the biggest shipping company in the world. You did what you always said you would.”
“What was that?”
“You changed the world. I rub elbows with the guy that changed the world.”
“Hey, you two,” Evie said as she walked toward us.
“Hey, baby.” I greeted her with a kiss. She was wearing a navy-blue dress that was supposed to go with the theme of our little celebration. She insisted we have a celebration. There was champagne and appetizers and even some music.
“You guys are hiding from the party. I have cars ready to take everyone to the hotel. Do not think you are escaping the party that celebrates the two of you. I will not have it.”
I kissed her. “I wouldn’t dare.”
She hooked her arm through mine and led me to the waiting limousine. We climbed in with Charlie and a few of the other guys from his team. We were delivered to the hotel where a large crowd was already gathered in the ballroom.
“This is all for you,” she whispered in my ear as we stood just inside the doorway.
“I feel like this is a little much,” I told her.
“Of course, you would think that. This is a big deal. We are all here to celebrate you and your brilliant brain.”
“Thank you,” I told her.
“I have one little surprise. I know you are not fond of surprises but this one was a must.”
I groaned. “I don’t want to give a speech.”
“You won’t need to give a speech.”
She led me away from the door. While my anxiety wasn’t as bad as it used to be, I was never going to be a social butterfly. Never.
“Son!” I heard my father’s voice.
I spun around, looking at my father. “Dad?” I questioned what I was seeing with my own two eyes. “You’re here?”
“I would not miss this!” he said and shook my hand. “I can’t believe you are the man of the hour. You are a big deal.”
My chest puffed out a little. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m happy to be here. I’ve met a few people and they all sing your praises. You are a really big deal. I feel like a fool, but I had no idea.”
Evie looked up at me, her face glowing with pride. “He is a very big deal.”