One night stand with my daddy's best friend
113

EPILOGUE

Dane - Four Months Later

My life started the day Bridget entered my life. For sure on the day that she married me and committed her life to mine.

Since that day, my life has been full of love and laughter and light. I'd wanted what I'd seen with Troy and his family, and now I had it with Bridget. I hadn't expected to find it with his daughter, but life was crazy like that. One never knew where they'd find their soulmate.

Troy and I weren't back to the friends we'd been before, but progress had been made. I didn't worry he was going to punch me anymore.

My parents were unsure about my marrying Bridget and having gotten her pregnant, but by the time of the wedding, Bridget had won them over. She had a radiance about her that even my dour parents couldn't help but be affected by. They'd been so rejuvenated by her, they went on a cruise, and when they returned, my father decided to officially retire and hand the reins over to me.

Growing up, I never wanted the business, but now, I enjoyed running the company. I had great people working for me, and we'd contracted with Bridget's business on a few projects, which she'd work on here in the office.

I'd helped her achieve her fantasy by bending her over my desk. But beyond sexual delights at work, I liked having her here as the babies grew and her due dated approached.

Bridget and I, along with Lane and Ethan were in the conference room, as Bridget outlined a new campaign set up to pre-sell the new condos in Long Beach.

At first, I wasn't sure Troy would continue the project, but when he learned I was researching other construction companies, he sought me out and provided his estimate. I suspect Bridget had something to do with getting him to come around. I was happy for the opportunity to rebuild our relationship.

Bridget stood alongside the projection screen, rubbing her belly as she highlighted the target market and how to reach them.

She sucked in a breath, then slowly blew out. "Young, but up and coming

"Are you okay?" Lane interrupted her. "Yes. The babies are doing gymnastics."

I studied Bridget, agreeing with Lane that something was off. "Why don't

you sit down?" I rose from my chair and pulled out one for her.

"I'm more comfortable standing." She gave me a look. "Can I finish now?"

I held my hands up in surrender.

"As I was saying, young, but up-" She stopped and looked down. When she lifted her head, her eyes were wide.

"What's wrong?" Worry slid up my spine. "I think my water broke."

"Broke? That doesn't sound good." I jumped up to go to her, pulling out my phone. "I'll call an ambulance."

"It's not bad," Lane said, coming up next to us. "It means she's in labor.

Call your doctor."

"What? No. She's got another three weeks to go." "Apparently not," Lane said.

"Holy shit." Ethan stood, raking his hands through his hair. "What should I do? I can get hot water."

Lane shook her head at him like he'd gone nuts. "She's not going to have them here."

Bridget rubbed her belly and breathed.

I put my hand under her arm. "Come on, Bridget, let's go." "Give me a minute." She continued to breathe.

"Baby, we don't have a minute. We've got to go." I watched her, terrified the babies were going to drop right then and there.

"I'll get the elevator." Ethan ran from the room.

"Have you been having contractions?" Lane asked Bridget.

"I guess."

"You guess?" I gaped at her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Lane put her hand on my arm. "These things take time, Dane. You need to stay calm. Call the doctor."

"Call the doctor. Right." I dialed the number, keeping an eye on Bridget.

She relaxed, continuing to rub her belly.

"How long ago was the last one?" Lane asked her. Bridget checked her watch. "Maybe seven minutes."

"Yes, I need Dr. Long. My wife is having a baby. Two babies actually." The woman on the line asked a few questions. When I told her Bridget's water broke, she told us to proceed to the hospital. That sounded ominous. "The elevator is here," Ethan rushed back in.

I put my arm around Bridget. "We need to go to the hospital. Can you walk."

She batted my arm away. "I'm having a baby, Dane, not dying." Lane pressed her lips together as if she was trying not to laugh. Bridget and I walked to the elevators, which were now closed. "Ah hell." Ethan ran back and poked the button. "It was here."

Bridget laughed. "They don't stay indefinitely. You two are acting crazy.

I'm okay."

"I'll call your parents. Both sets," Lane said as the elevator arrived and I ushered Bridget on.

Twenty minutes later, I hurried her into the hospital, which wasn't easy when she stopped right outside the door.

"I need to stop for a minute." She took in a long breath. "Bridget, do not have these babies in the parking lot."

She pushed out a breath, looking at me with humor. Finally, she said, "Okay. It's passed."

I got her checked in and we were escorted to a room. "Where is Dr. Long?" I demanded.

"She's on her way," the nurse informed us. "Put this robe on. You can get into the bed or sit or walk, whichever is most comfortable right now."

"What?" I raked my hands through my hair. "She's having a baby. She needs to be in the bed and Dr. Long needs to get to her asap."

"Mr. MacLeod, I assure you that you have time. Keep your wife comfortable."

"You hear her, get into bed," I told Bridget.

"I'll be back shortly." The nurse left, and I swore I heard her laughing under her breath.

Bridget paced the room. "Bridget!"

She walked over to me. "It's okay. It hurts more when I sit." She looped her arm through mine. "Walk with me."

"This is nuts."

She stopped and looked up at me. I sucked in a breath when I saw fear in her green eyes. "What's wrong, baby?"

"Contractions are no fun and I expect they'll get worse. I'm about to have not one, but two babies. I can't take care of you too."

I needed to pull myself together. "I'm sorry. What do you need?" "I need to walk."

I looped her arm through mine and walked back and forth in the room.

Dr. Long finally came in, checked Bridget, and then left. I wanted to curse. Why wasn't anyone staying with us? Bridget looked like she was going to pop any minute.

Finally, Dr. Long came back and said it was time. Bridget was helped into bed.

"This is it," Dr. Long said. "Dad, can you help Bridget breathe and push?"

"Absolutely." All of a sudden, everything I'd learned in the birthing class left my head.

Bridget gripped my hand. "Dane?"

I leaned down closer to her. "Yes, baby."

A contraction hit her, but I don't think she had something to say to me. I think she just wanted me close. I did my best to breathe with her. When it was time to push, I encouraged her. As time passed, I wished I could trade places. She was working so fucking hard. I'm not sure I could have endured the endless waves of increasing pain and I was an ex-SEAL.

"Get nursery in here," Dr. Long said to the nurse. "What's wrong?" I asked, as panic sliced through my gut.

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"Okay, I see baby number one," Dr. Long said. She glanced up at me. "Would you like to see your child born?"

I shook my head. It wasn't that I didn't want to see it, but more than that,

I wanted to stay with Bridget.

I held her hand tighter and kissed her temple. "You're doing great, baby."

One the next contraction, Bridget pushed, her hand squeezing mine until I worried she might break my fingers.

The next thing I knew, Dr. Long was holding a tiny, fragile little being. "It's a girl." She handed the baby to the nursery nurse.

I watched, wanting to run over and make sure my daughter had all her fingers and toes. But Dr. Long pulled my attention back to Bridget and the birth of the next baby.

It seemed to me, the next baby should have arrived immediately, but it took another twenty minutes.

Finally, Dr. Long held up the second baby. "It's a boy. You have one of each." She handed the baby to the nursery nurse.

I kissed Bridget. "You're fucking amazing. I'm in complete awe of you." Bridget lay back in bed exhausted, her eyes closed, but her face serene.

Finally, she opened her eyes. "I want to see my babies." The nurse handed her one. "Meet your daughter."

Bridget cradled her. I looked down on the two of them and I felt my world shift. My heart filled with such love; it was a wonder it didn't burst out of my chest.

"She's so small and perfect." Bridget brushed her finger over our daughter's cheek.

"And here is the little guy. Would you like to hold him?" the nurse asked

me.

"Bridget? Do you want to hold him first?" She'd done all the work, it

seemed like she should have first dibs. "Hold your son, Dane."

"Right." Actually, I was terrified. They were so small. "Are they okay?" I asked the nurse as she settled my son into my arms.

"Yes. Your daughter is five pounds, four ounces, and your son is five pounds, one ounce."

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the perfect being in my arms. "Hello, son." I looked down at Bridget holding our daughter. "Hello, baby girl."

Bridget smiled up at me. "That's what my dad calls me." I winced.

She took my hand. "Sorry. I know you don't like to be reminded that I'm your friend's daughter."

"We'll move you to another room shortly. You have guests waiting to meet your children," the nurse said.

"We need names," I said. Bridget and I hadn't yet settled on any. "You choose. Whatever you want." After carrying them for nearly nine months and then bringing them into the world, Bridget should be able to make all decisions. "I want strong names. How about Alexander?"

Alexander MacLeod. She was right. It sounded strong. I kissed my son. "Alexander."

"And I was thinking of Diana for her." "Like the princess?" I asked.

"Actually, I was thinking of Wonder Woman. You know, Diana Prince, but Princess Diana was strong too."

Diana MacLeod. "Perfect. They're both perfect. You're perfect. The world is perfect." I was giddy, drunk on happiness.

Bridget laughed. "I used to think my dad was such a goofball each time he and Lizzie came home with another baby. But now I get it. My heart is so full."

Thirty minutes later, we were in another room. The babies had been fully checked and were now back with us.

"Knock, knock." Lizzie poked her head in the door. "Are you up for a couple of visitors?"

Bridget smiled brightly. "Yes. Come meet your grandchildren." "Oh God, Troy, did you hear that? We're grandparents."

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I held my breath, not sure how Troy would be. While we'd made progress, he could still be frosty.

He entered and immediately went to Bridget who held Alexander. Tears filled his eyes. "My baby had a baby."

"I had two. Dane has Diana and this is Alexander." Lizzie stood next to me. "They're perfect." "Would you like to hold her?" I asked Lizzie.

"Absolutely." I handed Diana over. Troy held Alexander. It gave me a moment to take Bridget's hand and kiss it. The woman amazed me. Troy looked up at Lizzie. "Sure, you don't want another one? It's not too late, grandma."

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "We have the advantage of taking care of these two little angels, without having to get up in the middle of the night or change poopy diapers."

Troy laughed. "You're right."

They visited for a few more minutes, then they handed the babies back.

As they started to leave, Troy stepped up to me. "Same rules, Dane. You fuck this up and I-" "Dad!"

"I won't fuck this up." I looked over at Bridget, holding both our children. "They're my life."

Troy scrutinized me like he was seeking the truth of my words. Finally, he nodded. "Good." Then he held out his hand. "Another truce. I hear we're supposed to shake."

I shook his hand. "Congratulations, Dane."

Then he pulled me in for a hug. I looked over his shoulder at Bridget, as her eyes welled with happy tears.

Moments later they were gone. I didn't have a chance to process what happened, as my parents walked in next.

"Finally, I'm a grandmother," my mother announced as she headed straight to Bridget. "I thought Dane would die a lonely old man."

Bridget laughed. "We won't let that happen will we, Alexander and Diana."

"Oh, such lovely, strong names."

My dad patted me on the back. "I'm proud of you son."

His words were bittersweet. I'd become the man he'd wanted me to be running the business and married with children. I wished he'd been as proud when I was in the military. Still, my parents and I had come a long way over the last few months, all due to Bridget.

When they left, Bridget and I were alone with our children.

"I can't believe you brought these two people into the world." I was in utter awe of her.

"You helped. You and your supersonic sperm." I laughed.

"Which reminds me, we need to get more foolproof birth control. I'm going to need time before I do this again."

I kissed her head. "We have one of each. Do you want to do it again?" This wasn't a decision that had to be made now. I was just surprised she'd indicated there would be more kids.

"Yes. At least one, maybe two. We have a big house and even bigger hearts. We have so much love to give."

"I love you, Bridget. You've given me a life."

She smiled and her radiance warmed my soul. "We've given each other a life. Two lives, actually. Can you believe how perfect they are?"

"Yes. Because you're perfect."

She grinned. "I'm going to remind you that you said that when you're annoyed with me."

"You can use my word against me anytime."

I sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the woman I loved with all my being, and the two beings we made. I finally had what Troy and his friends had. I couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life celebrating the joy of Bridget, Alexander, and Diana.

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