“So, did you do it? Did she say yes? Was the sex smoking hot afterwards?” Mum is jumping up and down clapping.
“Honey, why don’t you let them in and talk before you start?” dad says, chuckling.
We walk into the house and head into the sitting area. “Well, come on, tell us.”
I look at Kade and he has a huge grin on his face. “I asked your parents last week if I could marry you, your mum even came with me to pick out a ring.”
“Shut up, no need to explain, I want to know. Did she say yes?” mum demands.
Kade nods and holds up my hand. Mum lets out a screech and starts crying, hugging me tight.
When mum lets me go, dad comes over, and gives me a tight hug. “He’s a good one, Nikki. You’ll be happy together, like your mum and I.”
We spend the rest of the day just chatting, eating, and mum demands to know a date. I just shake my head. God, I love this crazy family.
Our next stop is home, where James is waiting for us to give him the news. He comes and gives me a hug. “You were always part of this family. Glad you both got your head out of your asses and made up.” I laugh. We can’t tell Layla and Chase yet, they're away on their honeymoon. Layla’s parents are watching baby Cole. I can’t wait until they get back so I impatiently call Layla’s cell and just leave her a message. I know she'll be over the moon; she’s wanted me to get back with Kade from the start.
******
That night, lying in bed, Kade and I are talking. “I need to know this, otherwise it’s going to eat at me.” I frown and look up at him. “Did you and Ryder sleep together?” he asks hesitantly, almost like he doesn’t really want to know the answer.
I was expecting him to ask me this eventually, so I answer him. “No, it never happened. I think he knew I wasn’t ready. I have to admit, I did try, but he always stopped it. I don’t really think he wanted to, either. All we ever did was make out.”
He sighs with relief. “What about you?”
When he hesitates, my heart feels like it’s stopped. Was Kade with someone else? I know it might be a possibility, but I’m not sure how I would handle it. I was dating Ryder, after all, so it wouldn’t be fair of me to react. But I would still get upset, I know I would. You can’t help how you feel sometimes, logic doesn’t control emotions. Kade finally answers, pulling me from my musings.
“No, I didn’t. But I’m not going to lie, I did try once. We went back to her place, when she started to… do stuff, I stopped it and left. It didn’t feel right, and I couldn’t stop thinking about you. No other woman affects me like you do, Nikki. No other woman will make do now. It has to be you, only you. I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I am worthy of you, and showing you just how much I love and adore you. We are going to be so happy together, Nikki. I know we have a lot of work to do, but I am going to make sure that we work out. I will never take you for granted, and always be appreciative of everything you do.” I nod, thankful that we both really kept true to each other, even though we weren’t together.
I lay my head on his chest. “I love you, Kade.”
“I love you too, beautiful,” he whispers back.
We both fall asleep intertwined.
Epilogue
Six years later
I watch Kade as he chases our two little girls around the backyard with a water gun. The man never grows up, I swear. And I love that about him. There's never a dull moment in the Steele residence, that’s for sure. I stifle a grin when our four year old daughter, Grace, jumps on Kade’s back and yells for her little sister, Ava, to make a quick escape. Ava is one year younger than Grace, and Grace is so protective of her it’s adorable. Both our girls have my auburn hair, but they have their father’s blue eyes. They're both going to be heart breakers, there's no doubt about that. Kade jokes that only a real man could handle living with three fiery red heads.
Kade and I got married just six months after he proposed. He tried to get me to walk down the aisle sooner than that, but I told him I needed time to plan the wedding. We have both worked hard on our relationship, and I'm happy to say that we both made it, and we are now happier than ever. Ashley came and apologized to me, and told me her side to the story. We do see her every now and then. She's hooked up with one of Ryder’s band mates, they are a great match. I think she's changed a lot, grown up. Ashley and Kade are friends again, but it’s more of a passing acquaintance. Kade has never made the mistake of putting anyone before me again.
James is no longer Mr. Secretive, and he told all of us what he was up to all of those times he was missing in action. When his secret came out, Layla lost it when she found out everyone knew but her. She was seriously pissed at all of us, and it took us a week or so of her famous silent treatment before she came around. In the end, James sat down with her and they had a long chat. Though, in typical Layla style, she still brings it up now and again.
When I hear Kade yell out “Let’s get mummy!” I’m pulled out of my reminiscing. I quickly bolt inside and lock the door. Seconds later Kade sends Grace to the door, and of course I have to open it. The man still plays dirty. I open the door and Grace and Ava run inside, while Kade grabs me and throws me over his shoulder. He jogs with me towards our pool, and I know exactly what he's going to do, so I start pummeling his back with my fists.
“Kade!” I scream, but it’s too late. He throws me into the pool, fully dressed, and then runs inside to hide with the kids.