HOT COUGAR'S BABY - EPILOGUE

E P I L O G U E - - - - D A N I E L L A

The yard bore no resemblance to the somewhat dilapidated, thoroughly gated and secured one that Dani had been in possession of in Ilocos. No, this one was gorgeous.

Nestled in wine country, not too far from Jerome’s and Libby’s home but not too close either, lay a house and a yard that were everything she’d dreamed of. The home was on the smaller side, three bedrooms upstairs and an open kitchen-living room downstairs, with a few utility rooms and an office for Dani as well.

It was painted a mild, pleasing sandstone-yellow with white doors and windows, and the greenery around it was gorgeous. Plenty of space for kids to run around, a small pool, and berry bushes and trees starting to pop up and come into their own. But what made it truly special was the company Dani kept.

The men were lounging around the pool, arguing about the best way to barbecue a piece of flank steak, sipping on beers, while the kids played under Libby’s supervision. Tim, Tom, and Maddison had brought the twins, and along with Jerome’s boy, the four tykes were a force to be reckoned with on their own. But Dani loved the sound of kids laughing and running about, the older boys already big enough to cause serious mischief if left to their own devices.

Just like their dads.

“Thanks for helping, Maddison,” Dani smiled as she and the other Squad Six “wifey”—as they affectionately called one another—picked up a platter of fresh fruit while Dani grabbed the lemonade.

“Don’t mention it. I’m so glad we could come! It’s so rare that they have more time off. I was beginning to forget what you guys looked like,” Maddison sighed as they walked out of the kitchen and into the sunny outdoors.

“You need to take the boys more often and come stay with me or Libby. Plenty of room,” Dani said evenly, garnering a chuckle from Maddison.

“It would be a dream, but with work and traveling with those two? Not sure if I’d have the energy.”

“We’ll manage,” Dani said with a smile.

“We always do.”

Dani put the plate down on the table close to the men, feeling Shaun’s blazing gaze on her so strongly that it left her no doubt he had eyes for no one but her. Sure enough, the moment she looked up, their gazes locked and she felt a flutter in the pit of her stomach like she always did around that impossible, breathtaking man.

“Come here, baby,” Shaun called, reaching out a hand.

Dani walked to him and Shaun pulled her down on his lap, his arm slipping around her waist immediately as he kissed her. He tasted a little bit like beer, but a lot like the sexiest man she’d ever met, which was saying something considering that the entirety of Squad Six was around them at that point.

“I missed you,” he whispered with a grin, nuzzling his nose against hers.

“Psh, soldier, I was gone for a few minutes. I think you could manage,” she laughed.

“Lies. Life’s always three shades worse without you,” he said solemnly, putting the beer down.

His hand went affectionately to her stomach and she put her palm on top of his wide, strong hand, letting her head rest against his shoulder as she listened to the banter amongst the men. Libby sat on Jerome’s knee with her eyes on the kids, and Maddison stood between Tim’s and Tom’s chairs. It was only the mountain lions now that refused to get hitched, something that was bringing them plenty of good-natured flak from the rest of the squad.

“What do you mean why we’re not settling down?” Mitch scoffed, throwing his hands up. “You think it’s so damn easy finding a woman who could stand this bastard?” he asked, hiking a thumb at Jordan, who merely rolled his eyes with a smirk.“I don’t think most women are ready for us, brother,” Jordan noted idly, finishing off his beer.

“I don’t think you need most. Just one,” Maddison said with a smile, scruffing her hands into the hair of both of her wolves.

“We’re solitary kinds of shifters. Maybe kids and a wife are not in the cards for us,” Jordan offered.

“Speak for yourself, buddy. I have every intention of rounding out this football team right here with some defensive linemen of my own,” Mitch announced, nodding at the kids currently busy chasing one another down on the lawn.

Dani looked at Shaun quickly, biting down on her lower lip.

Is it time? I guess so.

“We have an announcement in that regard,” Shaun said evenly, smiling.

The wedding had taken place months ago now. It had been a small affair. It was easy to keep a ceremony small when there were only shifters to worry about. Neither Shaun nor Dani herself had much family to speak of, so it ended up being mostly just Squad Six and a midnight ceremony under the gold moon. It had been everything she’d ever thought it could be.

Daniella had never figured herself for a very sentimental woman, yet all these simple little things like spending an afternoon with friends or getting to be together with the man she loved had become the most important things in her life now. She’d quit the military and law enforcement for good and was now teaching self-defense classes, a job just as rewarding.

Shaun was considering quitting The Firm, but Dani knew he’d never do it until it was an unanimous decision, made by all his brothers-in-arms to lay down their guns and take up less dangerous hobbies like Sunday night football instead. She should have worried more, but knowing the men Shaun served with and the lengths they would go for one another, her heart was at ease.

“We’re having another baby,” Dani said with a smile, glancing between Shaun and the rest of the crew.

The roar of congratulations that erupted around her was nearly deafening. Tim was the first one out of his seat, practically throwing her in the air with the big hug he was giving her, making Dani laugh.

“Congratulations, you two!” Jerome said, smiling.

“Boy or a girl?” Maddison asked, her soft eyes shimmering with a hint of tears.

“Girl, this time,” Shaun said, sounding more than a little pleased.

“Finally, a feminine touch. I bet she’ll whip them into shape,” Mitch chuckled, looking at the rowdy flock of boys tumbling around the yard.

“Did I miss anything?” Carter’s familiar voice called as he strode into the yard, tall and broad-shouldered and looking positively glowing.

“Carter! Thought you wouldn’t make it!” Shaun called as the weretiger made his way over to the group, greeting the men and women alike, a six-pack of beer dangling from his fingers.

“And miss a free round of steaks? Never! I see the announcement has been made, huh?”

“Shaun! I thought we weren’t going to tell anyone!” Dani gasped, peeling herself out of Libby’s hug with a scowl on her face that betrayed nothing but humor.

“Hey, the kid’s been through enough. I couldn’t deny him a slice of our happiness,” Shaun said with a smile.

Shaun pulled her back in his lap and Dani kissed him, the corners of her lips tugging upward. It wasn’t like she could ever be angry at him. This man who was as hard and untamable as she was, yet perfectly happy to be domesticated by her as she was by him. Sometimes, two wrongs did make a right.