And I kiss her so she knows my heart is on fire for her. So she knows I know who these lips belong to. I say I’m sorry with this kiss. I say I love you with it. I say I would fucking burn the earth to ashes to keep you with me, and I say please don’t ever leave me.

  She reaches between us and pulls my sweat pants down. My cock, eternally ready for her body, jumps out and bobs between us.

  I unbutton her jeans and break our kiss just long enough to pull off her shoes and her jeans and her panties all the way down her legs.

  “Dean, please, now,” she demands. My woman does not beg, she knows she never has to, and I comply.

  I slide home, she's wet and warm. It feels so good; I know my eyes roll into the back of my head. My lips find hers again as I make love to her. On the counter, with my heart in my throat and my love on my lips as I kiss her with everything I have.

  Because everything I have, everything I am, is hers.

  She groans, a sound that might as well be the song of the Siren calling Odysseus, because I start to chase it, to move so she makes this sound endlessly.

  She lays down on the counter, and I lift her blouse so that her magnificent breasts are in my line of sight. I bend down over her and suck her beautiful, dark brown nipples until I feel her coming.

  And when we come, we come together. The ferocious wave of pleasure that moves between us is a centrifugal force. I don’t know where it begins, but I know I never want it to end.

  I kiss her as I pull out of her, and she captures my mouth in a searing, quick kiss and mumbles, “I love you,” as she releases me.

  I reach around the counter for a paper towel and wipe up the mess we’ve made.

  “Can I just get a T-shirt or something,” she says as she sits up on the counter. She pulls her shirt all the way off and she sits there naked. She looks like she has been well-fucked, her beautiful lips tipped up in a smile of satisfaction as she eyes me.

  “Of course. Let me get one from my room. I walk down the hall, snag one of my Stanford T-shirts and rush back. She slips it on, slides off the counter, and walks to the bathroom without a word.

  I'm sitting on the couch when she comes out a few minutes later and plops down next to me.

  “Dean, I need to tell you a few things,” she starts.

  I stop her. “Milly, can I go first? I have so much to explain about where I’ve been and what I’ve learned,” I implore.

  She looks pained but nods. “Okay, go ahead.”

  I tell her about the last seventy-two hours. My conversation with Ed, my trip to Sedona, my visit with my mother, and what I think it all means.

  When I’m done, she looks at me with an expression I cannot discern in her eyes. So, I keep talking.

  “I know it’s a lot. I don’t know how you can reconcile spending your life with the son of the people who did this to your family, but I had to tell you, even if it meant you wouldn’t be able to—”

  She cuts me off when she leaps off the couch, stands in front of me, and starts shouting at me.

  “What the fuck is this? Are you breaking up with me?”

  She looks furious. And I'm relieved and confused because I thought she was going to be the one breaking up with me. Her eyes look like they are lit with fire burning within her. And Milly never curses. I’m immediately contrite.

  “Red, no. I just—”

  “You just what? Please, don’t even finish that sentence. You cannot finish that sentence.”

  She pins me with a glare that makes me grateful I just finished having sex because my balls might not be capable of descending far enough to ever do it again. She starts to stride back and forth in front of me.

  “I know about your parents, my father told me. He found out days ago. He decided to turn himself in because he knew the blackmailer was dead and that he could come home. What your parents did was monstrous. But you didn’t do it. Unless you’re about to tell me you were in on their scheme?” She stops to look at me.

  “No, of course not,” I say offended.

  “I know this, but clearly you seem to think that somehow their crimes transfer to you.”

  She drops to her knees in front of me. “You are the greatest love of my life. We met, and my soul said, ‘that’s him, Milly.’”

  I reach out to grab her by the biceps and pull her up into my lap. She smiles at me as she sits.

  “I’m not letting you go for anything, Dean. Not for anything. I can figure everything else in the world out, but I cannot figure out how to live without you.” She picks up my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles. She kisses each one. “Please don’t, Dean, because you are me. I’ve just found my whole self again. And if you try to take away a piece of it, I won’t let it go easily.”

  Relief courses through me like a river freed from the dam holding it back. My arms go around her.

  “Red, you and Ant Man, you guys are my lighthouse. I couldn’t find my way without your light and without your love.”

  I reach around her and unclasp the chain around her neck. I slip the little heart shaped pendant off to reach the promise ring I gave her. I clasp the chain back around her neck.

  I reach for her right hand and slip the ring onto the third finger. The same finger I put it on fifteen years ago. And just as I did then I make her promises. But this time, I’m a man in charge of my own life, and I know that it will take an act of God for me to ever break any of the things I’ve just promised her with that ring.

  And as Milly accepts my ring, I know I finally have someone willing to keep the promises they have made to me, too.

  I don’t know where we are going, but I remember where we’ve come from. And I know that this love, this happiness is a choice. Our adventure, the grand experiment of blending a family, healing old wounds, loving without limitation, reservation, or condition, is just starting.

  Epilogue

  Coventry

  January 1, 2016

  Life is good. We are all in Coventry for Louis and Cara’s wedding. Cara is beautiful, and Louis is almost hysterical in his happiness. Everyone is happy.

  And I’m here with my husband. He’s back with me, and we’ve moved home to Houston. We are getting our second chance at life and love, and we are taking full advantage of it.

  The only fly in our ointment is that Dean’s mother is also back in Houston, and we’ve had to stop frequenting our favorite breakfast place because she's a waitress there.

  The first time I saw her, I couldn’t keep my jaw from hitting the floor. This is a woman who hadn’t worked a day in her adult life, but I guess she had no choice.

  The statute of limitations for blackmail is five years, so she couldn’t be prosecuted for her crimes. But the hacker who found her account in the first place also managed to take the money in the account and move it to my husband’s. Dean has cut her off, and without him to support her, she’s had to get a job.

  I look at the sleeping child in my lap. Henry, Addie and Simon’s nephew, is one and a half now. He calls me Grandma, and I love it. He calls Omar, Pops, just like Anthony does.

  I gaze out onto the dance floor where my five other heartbeats are dancing.

  Milly and Dean are wrapped in each other’s arms, dancing slowly—even slower than the song “Amazing” by Luther Vandross requires. I love seeing them together. Every time Milly walks into the room, Dean’s eyes light up like he’s seeing her for the very first time. Like he can’t believe how beautiful she is. I'm so glad she finally has this.

  Anthony is dancing with Louis’ mother, even though his head only reaches her middle. They have been dancing all night, as Louis’ dad sits and watches.

  Lilly is dancing with her father, her head resting on his shoulder.

  I look at Omar’s face and see his eyes are closed as his head rests on the top of Lilly’s. Lilly’s eyes, though, are wide open. She's staring across the room at Louis’ brother, Harry. He’s sitting, sullen at a table by himself. His jaw clenched so tightly, I am sure he is pulverizing his teeth.

  When we arrived here for the wedding, they clearly recognized each other and for a few seconds looked elated to see one another. Then the elation, at least on Harry’s face, was replaced by an expression of horror. And they haven’t spoken again since.

  Lilly refuses to divulge what’s going on. I haven’t pressed her, but only because I know that’s the worst way to get her to talk. I’ll get to the bottom of it soon.

  Addie is dancing with Kyle, Simon’s brother, and they are laughing hysterically at something. They are clearly very close.

  Addie’s own wedding is in six months, and they have decided to get married in Houston. Addie asked her dad to walk her down the aisle just last week. They have had the hardest time in terms of their reunion, but they have worked hard to find peace with each other.

  My life has been the most unexpected adventure. Over the last decade, I have wanted to give in to my fear and my doubt, but love, real love, is stronger than all of those things.

  And I believe in fairy tales; I know we’ve got some work to do, but I’m chasing my own Happily Ever After. I’m so close I can taste it. I kiss the top of Henry’s little head and survey my family.

  Oh yes, I can taste it. And it’s delicious.

  * * *

  * * *

  When the song ends, Dean and I slip off the dance floor. Anthony is still dancing with Louis’ mother, and I want to take the opportunity to get Dean alone.

  I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to tell him what I found out this afternoon. I didn’t want to distract from Cara and Louis’ day, but I can’t hold it in any longer. I turn to him as he starts to lead me back to our table.

  “You want to go for a walk? Get some fresh air?”

  He smiles. “Great minds think alike; I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

  We walk past our table where my mother sits with Henry asleep on her lap with my dad and Lilly on either side of her. Lilly looks forlorn. And I don’t know why. I need to get her alone so we can talk.

  I put that aside and focus on Dean. He cuts a dashing figure in his tux. I admire the view while I trail behind him as we make our way through the crowd on our way outside.

  We walk in a companionable silence until we are at the lake which is at the center of Louis’ parents’ property. Dean sits down on the bench and pulls me onto his lap.

  “You having a good time, Red?” he asks, smiling up at me. Even in the dark with the moon and the fairy lights strung in the trees around us as our only light, I can see so much love in his eyes.

  “I’m having the best time.” I smile and place a quick peck on his lips.

  He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a worn piece of paper. He doesn’t say anything as he hands it over to me, but he’s got the biggest smile on his face.

  “What’s this?” I ask, my curiosity peaked.

  I take it from him and unfold it. He pulls his phone from the inside pocket on his suit and turns on the flashlight feature. He shines it on the paper in my hand, and I see that it’s my list.

  “I found this, tucked away in a kitchen drawer. I saw you’d crossed everything off, but I thought it was missing something. So, I pulled it out and put in my pocket. I wanted to wait for the right time to talk about it.”

  My stomach sinks a little, and I feel myself getting annoyed.

  “It’s not really for you to decide whether it’s complete or not,” I snap as I fold it back up and start to move off of his lap.

  “Hey, Red, don’t be upset. You’re right. It’s not for me to decide, but I thought I could ask you to add one more thing and see if you thought it was a good idea,” he says, not looking the least bit contrite.

  “I mean, I guess. But, I have to tell you, I asked you to come out here so I could tell you something. And this isn't the romantic conversation I envisioned us having.”

  I stop, trying to get up, but stiffen my spine so I’m not leaning on him anymore.

  “You wanted to tell me something?” He looks very pleased with himself, his smile only widens.

  “Yes, I do. And it’s something amazing,” I clip. But just saying that completely erases my annoyance because I remember the happy news I have to share.

  “Okay, well then go ahead,” he says, his smile incandescent and huge.

  “Are you ready?” I ask him. He only nods, and I can see his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat as he swallows hard. I cup his face, look into those beautiful green eyes, and tell him.

  “I’m pregnant.” I see his eyes widen, and then I see them fill with tears he doesn’t shed. I feel my own tears prick the back of my eyes as his smile softens, but his eyes radiate true joy at me.

  His hand drifts to my stomach, still flat and showing no signs of what’s to come. His eyes never leave mine, and I'm rendered breathless by the love I see in them. I bring my lips to his, and whisper against them, “It’s really early, but I got the call from my doctor this afternoon. I'm just a little over nine weeks along, if I’ve done the math right.”

  He closes his eyes. “Milly, I brought you out here to ask you to marry me. I was going to ask you to add Become Dean’s Wife to your list”

  I suck in my breath at this declaration. And my cup of happiness and love overflows. I press my forehead to his.

  He opens his eyes and keeps talking, “I thought I would wait until your divorce papers are filed next week. But all day, I felt like today was the day. And that I should just do it.” He lifts me off his lap, places me on my feet and stands.

  “Will you sit, please,” he asks and I do. I sit back on the bench and am grateful for the support because my knees have gone weak.

  He drops to one knee in front of me. “Millicent, I won’t ask you to make me the happiest man alive because you’ve already done that. But I will ask you to give me the chance to return the favor. And I’m asking you to let me do it for the rest of my life.”

  He grabs my left hand, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a tiny blue box.

  “I want you to wear my ring, and I want you to be my wife. I want us to raise our family together. I want to get the chance to show you just how much I love you. You are my champion, my hero. Your strength inspires me. I know every day you show me something new and amazing about yourself. I know your beauty has so many splendid facets, I could look at you forever and never see them all. Please, do me the honor of letting me pledge my life to you.”

  He pops the box open and inside is a gold band with three emerald cut diamonds nestled next to each other.

  My eyes travel from the ring to his face and back again. I'm so overwhelmed by his proposal I can only stare at him.

  How did I get so lucky? This magnificent, sensitive, honest, and beautiful man loves me in a way I didn’t know I could be loved.

  I nod and he slips the ring on my finger. And when he leans in to kiss me, I remember our first kiss.

  I whisper, "This is us,” and he whispers back, “Always.”

  * * *

  THE END

  Thank you

  Thank you for reading Remember. Please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads!

  Notes of Gratitude

  I am living my dream. This small note cannot possibly convey the depth of my gratitude, it is fathomless.

  To my alpha readers, Chelé, Layla, and Rachael who talk me off ledges, and through crazy plots, you guys deserve so much more than a “thank you”. I love you three. Thank you for putting up with me.

  To my amazing beta readers, Jodeen, Lauren, Lisa Marie, Mary Ruth, Megan, Sara and Taylor, I know that the story wouldn’t have the depth or meaning without your input.

  To my editor, Anja, who makes my stories shine, thank you for your amazing input and for your friendship.

  To Marla who has an eagle eye and made this release SO much less stressful, THANK YOU!

  To my publicist Linda and her magical fairy, Alissa, thank you for believing in me and showing me the way.

  To Penny, Melanie, Kennedy, KK, RC and Nicola, you are my idols and have been true friends to me. You have encouraged, pushed, soothed, and supported me. Thank you.

  To my friend Mila, your presence is such a gift. You inspire me on a daily basis. Thank you for everything.

  Sophie, thank you for your early support and for basically writing my blurb!

  To my Day Dreamers and my amazing street team, My Darlings, I LOVE you guys! You make my day, every single day! You inspire me to keep writing and I am so thankful for the parts of your day that you spend with me.

  To all of the blogs who have tirelessly and graciously read and then promoted my work— you are my heroes. I couldn’t do this without you.

  To the readers who buy my books, who email, message and tweet me! Thank you SO much for everything. You’re amazing and I write with your wind at my back every day!

  To my family—my parents, my sisters, my brothers-in-law and my cousins—you are my TRIBE! Thank you for being wonderful and loving.

  And last but certainly not least, to my husband and my children. You are the heartbeats of my life. Thank you for inspiring me, loving me and supporting me. I love you all more than anything else in the universe!

  * * *

  Love,

  Me.

  About the Author

  Dylan Allen is a Texas girl with a serious case of wanderlust.

  A self-proclaimed happily ever junkie, she loves creating stories where her characters chase their own happy endings.

  When she isn’t writing or reading, eating or cooking, she and her family are planning their next adventure.

 

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