“Been there, done that. I really didn’t want to do it the first time,” she said.
“Me neither.”
“Honestly, my idea of the perfect wedding would be to do it on top of my parents’ boathouse with just family in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt,” she said.
“I could be on board with that.” He held up her hand. “If you don’t like pearls, we can get something else. I’m pretty easy.”
“That you are,” she said with a laugh. “But I love this one. And it was your grandmother’s. That makes it special.” Renee took in a deep breath. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He kissed her nose. “Let’s go find out if we’re pregnant.” He curled his fingers through hers and tugged.
Butterflies filled her gut. “You go look.”
“All right.” He stepped into the bathroom and lifted the stick that she’d left on the sink. He held it up to the light and scrunched his face.
“Well? What does it say?”
He shifted his gaze between her and the test in his hand.
“You’re killing me.”
“Looks like I’m a stud.”
“What?” She jumped up, reaching for the test. “I’m pregnant?” The window clearly showed a positive sign. “Holy shit. You are a stud.” She wrapped her arms around Fletcher and smacked her lips against his mouth. While nothing could last forever, she’d found her forever home.
Epilogue
Nine Months Later...
Renee closed her eyes, kissed her baby's bald head, and inhaled sharply. There was nothing like the sweet smell of a newborn. And her little boy had the aroma of a warm summer sun shower. She blinked her eyes open and smiled. "You're staring."
"Kind of hard not to," Fletcher said. "There's something wrong with me. I'm jealous of a baby that's only a few hours old and what's worse, he's my son."
Renee laughed as she adjusted the pillow under her arm. "He takes after you."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, you're a breast man, so I would think your son would be too."
Fletcher sat on the edge of the bed, his son gripping his index finger while he nursed. "That is wrong on so many levels." He laughed. "I can't believe he's finally here."
"Eighteen hours of hell," she said, letting out a long breath. Labor hadn't been a walk in the park. But her husband had been her rock, keeping her from losing her shit and screaming at every person who walked into her room.
"But look at what we have for your hard work." Fletcher leaned over and kissed her forehead. "What are we going to name this little fella?"
"Definitely not Fletcher," she said with a laugh.
"I had a thought, but I don't know how you'll feel about it."
"I'm listening," she said.
"I was hoping, since we had a boy, we could name him after my father."
"Merrik? I like that," she said with a bright smile."
"What about Merrik Devon Cain?"
She gasped. Tears stung her eyes. Devon's name often made its way into conversations, and it was never awkward or uncomfortable. Actually, Fletcher encouraged her to keep his love and memory alive in her heart. He never wanted to take that away from her, and that just made her love Fletcher more.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"I've only been surer of one thing and that's marrying you."
"How'd I get so lucky?"
He reached out and wiped the tears burning a trail down her cheeks. "I'm the lucky one."
Life was full of love and loss. Happiness and heartache. She'd learned she couldn't have one without the other, and right now, she knew everything she'd experienced had led her to this moment.
And she couldn't imagine what her world would look like without Fletcher.
There would always be a fire to put out. But it was what you did after the fire that counted.
Thank you for taking the time to read After the Fire. Please feel free to leave an HONEST review on Amazon!
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About the Author
Welcome to my World! I'm a USA Today Bestseller of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance.
I first started writing while carting my kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. My first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 I helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where I ran the technical side of the business through 2016.
I'm currently enjoying the next phase of my life...the empty NESTER! My husband and I spend our winters in Jupiter, Florida and our summers in Rochester, NY. We have three amazing children who have all gone off to carve out their places in the world, while I continue to craft stories that I hope will make you readers feel good and put a smile on your face.
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Never miss a new release. Follow me on Amazon:amazon.com/author/jentalty
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Also by Jen Talty
BRAND NEW SERIES!
With Me In Seattle
INVESTIGATE WITH ME
The Monroes
COLOR ME YOURS
COLOR ME SMART
It’s all in the Whiskey
JOHNNIE WALKER
GEORGIA MOON
JACK DANIELS
JIM BEAM
Search and Rescue
PROTECTING AINSLEY
PROTECTING CLOVER
NY State Trooper Series
IN TWO WEEKS
DARK WATER
DEADLY SECRETS
MURDER IN PARADISE BAY
TO PROTECT HIS OWN
DEADLY SEDUCTION
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS
NY State Trooper Novella
HIS DEADLY PAST
Brand New Novella for the First Responders series
A spin off from the NY State Troopers series
PLAYING WITH FIRE
PRIVATE CONVERSATION
AFTER THE FIRE
The Men of Thief Lake
REKINDLED
DESTINY’S DREAM
Federal Investigators
JANE DOE’S RETURN
THE BUTTERFLY MURDERS
The Aegis Network
THE LIGHTHOUSE
HER LAST HOPE
THE LAST FLIGHT
THE RETURN HOME
THE MATRIARCH
The Collective Order
THE LOST SISTER
THE LOST SOLDIER
THE LOST SOUL
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THE LOST CONNECTION
Special Forces Operation Alpha
BURNING DESIRE
BURNING KISS
BURNING SKIES
BURNING LIES
BURNING HEART
BURNING BED
REMEMBER ME ALWAYS
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Out of the Wild
ROUGH JUSTICE
ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES
ROUGH RIDE
ROUGH EDGE
ROUGH BEAUTY
The Brotherhood Protectors
The Saving Series
SAVING LOVE
Holiday Romances
A Christmas Getaway
Alaskan Christmas
WHISPERS
; Heroes & Heroines on the Field
Taking A Risk
Tee Time
The Twilight Crossing Series
THE BLIND DATE
SPRING FLING
SUMMER’S GONE
WINTER WEDDING
Witches and Werewolves
LADY SASS
ALL THAT SASS
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NEON SASS
PAINTING SASS
Boxsets
LOVE CHRISTMAS, MOVIES
UNFORGETABLE PASSION
UNFORGETABLE CHARMERS
A NIGHT SHE’LL REMEMBER
SWEET AND SASSY IN THE SNOW
SWEET AND SASSY PRINCE CHARMING
PROTECT AND DESIRE
SWEET AND SASSY BABY LOVE
CHRISTMAS AT MISTLETOE LODGE
THE PLAYERS: OVERCOMING THE ODDS
CHRISTMAS SHORTS
CHRISTMAS DREAMS
All That Glitters
INVINCIBLE SECRETS
UNFORGETABLE SUSPENSE
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