Epilogue. A Note from the Author

Epilogue

Sabrina didn’t understand why Deacon was so nervous about celebrating Thanksgiving at home. Her mate was running around like the proverbial chicken, decorating and cooking more food than Priscilla usually prepared for family day. In the past, they had spent every holiday at the manor with the Clan and then visited Jerrick and Evan after the fact, celebrating with them separately. Today, the boys, as Sabrina lovingly called Jerrick and Evan, were coming to their home in the woods. And, for the first time, Jasmine and Terrence were visiting as well. Terrence was bringing his wife and two sons. Deacon tried to get Sabrina to relax in the tub, but there was no way she was leaving him to do all the work by himself.

Deacon made it his mission to reunite all the siblings. He hadn’t managed to make it happen until now. Schedules never coincided for all four of them to be together at the same time. After purchasing their house in New Orleans, Jerrick and Evan moved in, and as in most things they did, together they made it a home. Sabrina had turned them loose with decorating, and they filled the house with local artwork. Their most prized piece was one Lilly had painted. About four months after they furnished the new house, they had a housewarming party, and Jasmine was able to attend. Terrence already had a business trip planned. Then, several months later, Terrence’s schedule was free, but Jasmine couldn’t get a way.

When the doorbell rang, Deacon cursed from the kitchen, and Sabrina chuckled. “Come on, Oba. Let’s welcome our guests together. ”

Deacon looked around the spotless kitchen. Food was either in the refrigerator, the oven, or in rows on the counter. “I think I forgot something, ” he said, wiping his hands down his jeans.

“Yes, you did. You forgot to breathe. Now, come on. ” Taking him by the arm, Sabrina led her mate to the front door. Terrence, his wife Dorian, and their two sons, James and Thomas, greeted them both with hugs. Sabrina had been pleasantly surprised to find out her brother was a hugger. When they’d met up in New Orleans, he’d thanked her for taking care of them as kids, and he credited her for his life turning out as well as it had. She didn’t believe it for a second. The Wilsons were the ones who raised him, and it was their selflessness that rubbed off on him. Dorian was a lovely woman who taught high school math. James and Thomas were well-mannered teens.

Jerrick and Evan arrived next. Dominic and Lilly had flown to New Atlanta on one of the Clan’s jets and brought the boys with them. Dominic had given them both jobs, and Lilly had taken them under her wing as an older sister. The four hung out often, and Sabrina was grateful for it.

When Jasmine finally arrived, she was holding hands with the cutest little boy Sabrina had ever seen, and she was struggling with her bag and a booster seat. “Sorry I’m late. Placement for Scotty fell through at the last minute, and I had to bring him with me. I hope you don’t mind. ” Sabrina fell in love the second she looked into his wonder-filled brown eyes.

“Of course not. ” Sabrina bent over so she was closer to his level. “Hello, Scotty. ” The little boy hid behind Jasmine’s legs, peeking around then darting back. The adults laughed, and when they remembered why they were there, chaos ensued with everyone holding on to each other, crying and laughing as they became reacquainted. Dorian tried to get Scotty to sit with her on the sofa, but it was Deacon the child homed in on. When Scotty pulled away from Jasmine, the siblings got quiet when the boy walked to Deacon, this large male, and held up his arms. Deacon picked him up, placing him on his hip and smiled.

“Hi, Scotty. I’m Deacon. ”

Scotty grinned and wrapped his little arm around Deacon’s neck. Dorian and Deacon, with Scotty in tow, poured drinks for the adults and sodas for the teens. Scotty had juice in a sippy cup, which he offered more than once to Deacon. Deacon pretended to drink, making num num sounds, and Scotty giggled. That made Deacon laugh, and that made Sabrina want to drag Deacon upstairs and have her way with him. There was something sexy about a virile man making a child happy.

As glad as Sabrina was to have her family all together, it was her mate and the little boy she couldn’t take her eyes off. When Deacon needed his hands free to finish getting the food ready, Sabrina held Scotty and stayed close to the kitchen. Then, when they all sat down at the large dining table together, Scotty reached for Deacon instead of sitting with Jasmine. Deacon placed the boy’s booster chair in the seat next to his and helped him with his food.

Sabrina and her siblings talked while eating, getting reacquainted. The teens joined in the conversation, but Deacon was quiet for the most part. Everyone complimented Deacon on his cooking more than once. The party moved to the living room where they continued talking and letting their food settle. The only topic off-limits was what happened to Jerrick and Evan after they left the service. Terrence and Jasmine were aware of what their brother had been through. Jerrick left it up to Terrence to tell his wife and sons, and if they knew, they didn’t ask.

Deacon relaxed in a recliner with Scotty on his lap, playing with a stuffed bear. The teens talked to Deacon about working at the Pen, and he asked them about school and their futures. Sabrina caught her mate’s eye several times, letting him silently know with her smile how thankful she was for bringing her family together.

“I’ve never seen him so smitten with anyone, ” Jasmine whispered to Sabrina when they were dishing up dessert. “The couple who was supposed to take him changed their mind at the last minute. Decided they weren’t ready for a child with developmental issues. ”

“What? ” Deacon, who had followed them to get Scotty more juice, rounded on Jasmine. He looked down at the child, and in that moment, Sabrina felt more love for her mate than she had in the past two years. He might be the empath, but his eyes betrayed every emotion Deacon felt. She’d grown to know when he was overwhelmed, and she’d learned to get him away from situations that brought on those feelings as quickly as possible. Now, his eyes were filled with love and compassion for a child he’d only met a couple hours earlier.

“What type of issues? ” Sabrina asked while filling the coffee machine with water.

“His mother was a junkie. Scotty was born three months premature and addicted to more drugs than most people can name. They didn’t think he would make it, and he’s only still with us because this little boy is a fighter. His speech has been delayed as has his growth. Mentally, he’s bright, but he has issues with his lungs, and sometimes his coordination is off. It’s going to take a strong family to love someone who needs so much time and attention. ”

The two of them hadn’t spoken of having kids since before they were mated. Sabrina continued getting the birth control shot. She figured if Deacon wanted children, he would bring it up. As much as she wanted to keep Scotty, she didn’t see how they could take the child in and give him the time and attention he needed. Not with both of them working long hours.

“I need to talk to you, ” Deacon said to Sabrina. “Scotty, I’ll be back in just a few minutes, ” he said, handing the boy over to Jasmine. Deacon grabbed Sabrina by the hand and led her outside.

“Pretty Lady…” Deacon pulled her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I know I said I wasn’t sure about having children, but I think we would be the perfect parents for Scotty. ”

“Oba, you heard Jasmine. He needs lots of time and attention. You and I both work long hours. ”

“I know you love the hospital, so I’ll quit the Pen. We don’t need the money, but that little boy needs us. ”

Sabrina wrapped her arms around Deacon’s neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “You are the best male I know, Deacon Wright. Are you sure about this? ”

“I’ve never been surer. Well, other than when I knew you were my mate. ”

“Then yes, let’s do this. ”

“There’s something else. Something I was going to do anyway, a surprise. Now you’re going to think I’m doing it for the wrong reason, but I’m not. It’s just the timing—”

“Oba, whatever it is, spit it out. ”

Deacon pulled her hands from around his neck and dragged her back inside. “Can I have your attention? ” When everyone was quiet, Deacon dropped to one knee. “I promise, this is for the right reason. Sabrina Michelle Bailey, you have already made me the happiest male in the universe by being with me these last two years. We both know we don’t need a piece of paper telling us we’re in this for the long haul, but I would still be honored if you would be my wife. Will you marry me? ” Deacon reached in his pocket and pulled out an elegant ring. Sabrina would have to count the diamonds later. When she could see without tears crowding her eyes.

“Yes, Oba, I’ll marry you. ” Deacon rose to his feet and kissed her breathless as her family cheered.

Scotty was clapping and laughing along with everyone else. “Dede, ” he said, stretching toward Deacon.

“Did you hear that? He said Deacon! ” The joy on her mate’s face was contagious. Sabrina was hugging them both when Deacon whispered, “You have a text message. ” Other than Jerrick, her siblings didn’t know about Deacon being a Gargoyle. Jerrick explaining to his family about being Unholy then Reborn had been hard for him, but the Unholy weren’t a secret. Sabrina found her phone in the kitchen and smiled when she saw who it was from.

Lilly: Happy Thanksgiving. Do you remember what today is?

Sabrina: Happy Thanksgiving to you. And yes, today’s the day I read your note

Lilly: Well?

Sabrina: Ha! I’ll go read it now.

Sabrina had kept the note from Lilly in her underwear drawer ever since she’d given it to her. Never once had she opened it. She kept it with her panties so she would see it every day, and on the date in question – today – she wouldn’t forget. She had planned on reading it after everyone went to sleep, but she supposed now was as good a time as any. Taking the envelope to the living room where Deacon was playing on the floor with Scotty, she sat down next to him. The others were watching football, drinking coffee, or vegging out.

“You ready to see what Lilly had to say? ”

Deacon nodded. It was almost as if he was holding his breath. Sabrina opened the flap and pulled out the note. When she read Lilly’s neat printing, she couldn’t believe it.

February 28, 2049 – you will become chief of staff

November 24, 2050 – Deacon will propose, and your family will grow by one

“That’s…” Deacon shook his head.

“That’s amazing is what it is, ” Sabrina said.

And amazing was how Sabrina felt when she and Deacon told Jasmine they wanted to adopt Scotty. The process took a while, but while they waited for the paperwork to go through, Deacon talked with Gregor who gave his blessing on Deacon retiring from his job. Remy, who had returned to New Atlanta, stepped into Deacon’s position seamlessly. Deacon spent the first few days of his retirement getting Scotty’s room ready, and they both visited him every weekend until they could bring him home.

On February 28, 2051, two years after becoming chief of staff, Sabrina married the love of her life with their son in their arms.

A Note from the Author

Thank you for waiting patiently for Deacon’s book. Matthew and Slade will get their story (a novella as of now, but that could change when I begin writing), and in it, you’ll find out a little more about Remy and Rain. Kai is slated to be the next novel, so stay tuned for that one as well.

As in Frey’s story, a song had a big part in Deacon’s book. From the moment Sebastian came into being in the first book, I always knew the moment he was born would be the same moment Jonathan passed away. “Lightning Crashes” by Live is a song I’ve heard many times over the years, but when I was writing Rafael, I happened to hear it, and the scene clicked. Even knowing it was coming didn’t make it any easier to write.

Next up will be Mav’s story in the Hounds of Zeus. If you haven’t read book 1, check out Waging War, where you meet Lucy’s father, Warryck, and his female, Kerrigan.

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