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  “Sit at the table, Drake,” Mom says. “Ali-bug, will you get everyone something to drink?”

  I immediately gather coffee cups and set them on the table.

  “So, last night?” Mom asks, and I steal myself for the blowback. “Did you have fun? How was the steak house? David and I keep talking about going there and we wondered if it was worth a try.”

  I’m momentarily shocked that no one is mentioning the elephant in the room. She’s firing off all the wrong questions but I’m like a deer caught in headlights.

  “They put truffle oil on everything so Ali was in heaven.” My cheeks heat at Drake’s easy response. That was heaven but Drake is the reason I feel like I’m in the clouds.

  “I think I remember you calling ahead and making sure they had certain things,” Mom teases him, pointing the spatula in his direction.

  “You did that?” I turn to look at him and he gives me one of those shrugs.

  “He’s always doing stuff like that. He just hides it.” Mom smiles sweetly like she’s so proud of him. “I guess we aren't hiding stuff anymore.” My mouth falls open. “Close your mouth, honey.”

  “We’re not in trouble?” I finally manage to say.

  “No, you’re not in trouble,” Dad says first. “We knew this was coming. When Drake told me you two were going to the dance together I knew you were finally putting things together yourself.” He rises and stands next to Mom.

  “I love her.” Drake’s voice is clear for everyone to hear.

  “I love him too,” I say.

  “Of course you love each other.” Mom’s eyes are sympathetic.

  “It’s different now,” Drake adds, but he didn't need to. It’s clear in his voice.

  “I know.” Mom shakes her head at us.

  It’s the same thing she does when she already knows what we’re getting at. It’s like she’s known it longer than we have and she might have, to be honest. Mom’s always two steps ahead.

  “I have two rules.” She holds up her fingers. “The first is you have got to be more sneaky. I can’t allow you to shack up under our roof.”

  Drake silently laughs beside me, but I’m too engrossed in what our parents are saying.

  “I’ll take your somewhat silence as an agreement.” She shoots Drake a playful smirk as he nods. “Second, no marriage until after you're twenty-one. And no marriage means no babies.”

  I nod because this is going way better than I thought it would.

  “Yet. No babies yet,” she clears up.

  My face turns five shades of red because I really don’t want to talk about that now. We should ease into this. I’m not ready for sex jokes or babies.

  “That was three things, Mom.”

  “Drake.” I elbow him hard into the side. “Really not the time,” I whisper.

  “I’ve got news,” Dad says, and Mom puts her spatula down.

  “Food on the table. We’ll talk about it over breakfast.” I can tell from the small hop Mom does that it’s exciting news.

  I don’t know how we’re changing subjects so quickly but it’s all right by me. I guess our parents are like Lindsey and saw this coming. Drake kisses me on the forehead before he grabs stuff and takes it to the table.

  Mom walks over and hands me a folded-up paper as I sit down. Drake is already putting food onto my plate.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “It’s your full ride, sweetheart. You got in.” My eyes start to water when I see the Boston College logo on the page. I did it, and I smile so big it hurts.

  “You did it!” I look over to Drake. “I think we’ll like it there. I’ve toured the place already.” Drake says.

  “You’re going to Boston?” I knew he mentioned it, but we haven't heard anything concrete. I would’ve because everyone's been wondering where he was going to go.

  “Where you go, I go,” he tells me, and I kiss him. I shouldn't because my parents are right here beside us, but I’m so happy I can’t stop myself.

  “All right, you two,” Mom cuts in and I pull back from the kiss. “Remember the rules,” she adds as she and Dad take their seats.

  They’re smiling as big as I am and everyone is happy about this. I should’ve known it would be this way. They’ve always wanted what’s best for us and I have no doubt Drake is what’s best for me. He’s my forever and everyone can see it. At least the people at this table can and they’re all that matter. They’re my family, for now at least, because one day it will grow.

  Just not yet.

  Epilogue Ali

  Six months later…

  “Baby.” I feel Drake’s short beard brush against my neck.

  I don’t want to open my eyes yet and I sigh. I love when he doesn’t shave and has a little bit of stubble on him. I tilt my head, letting him take a few more nibbles of me.

  “Time to get up.” I shake my head no because I don’t want to move. Drake slipped into my bed in the middle of the night and kept me up for hours. He smells fresh and clean and I want to pull him down in the bed with me.

  “You showered without me,” I complain, not that we get to shower together.

  We’ve done as our parents asked and have been sneaky, but that is over today. My eyes spring open when I remember what today is. How could I forget? When Drake came into my bedroom last night and got under my covers, he said he was having me one more time in this bed before we left.

  “Come on, sleepyhead.” He pulls me from the bed and I wrap myself around him, not letting go as I rest my head on his shoulder.

  “I can sleep like this.”

  “Trust me. I know you can.” His body shakes with more laughter. “Come on, Ali girl. I want to beat Mom and Dad to our place and I want to show you something.” He gives my ass a small slap and I lean back to look at him. He’s up to something. “Yeah, a surprise.”

  “Why didn’t you say that?” I wiggle for him to let me down and he kisses me before letting me go.

  I rush around the room and get changed. We’re all packed up and our things are in the truck Dad’s going to drive over today. Our place is within walking distance of campus and only a small drive back to our parents’ home.

  We could’ve stayed home but we need our space. We’re over the whole sneaking around thing and we want to be able to walk around naked. I want to have makeout sessions on our own sofa without Mom or Dad catching us.

  He opens the car door for me to hop in and steals another kiss before taking off toward our new place. When he gets closer, I look over at him, knowing he’s up to something.

  “Don’t be mad,” he says.

  “Drake, what did you do?”

  “This place has way better security.”

  I roll my eyes as he pulls up to a beautiful historical building and it’s even closer than the other place we picked out. It was hard to find housing close to campus and we only had a handful of places to choose from.

  “They’re turning the whole place into condos so I grabbed up the top floor.” It’s only four stories tall, so that means there won't be a lot of people in the building.

  “Do we own this building?” He doesn't look guilty at all when he shrugs.

  “Drake!” I smack his shoulder, making him chuckle.

  “Real estate is a good investment.”

  I get out and look at it and fall in love. The building has its original stones and holds so much history. It reminds me of when Mom took me to meet Drake and David for the first time. I thought back then it was a castle, and this will be our small castle for now. As much as I want to tell him he’s gone overboard, I can’t bring myself to do it. This is perfect.

  I take his hand as he leads me inside and I see the elevator has a vintage scissor gate. “I've had them keep as many original features as I could. I knew you’d want that.”

  “I love you.” I lean into him as the elevator rises.

  “I love you too.” When we stop he slides in a key and the gate opens.

  “Lindsey and Liam are taking the ground floor,” he says, and I smile.

  She’s going to die. I wonder if she knows about this already. Unlike our parents, Lindsay’s dad was a stickler for marriage before living together and the wedding was last week. She told me they’d gotten a place, so no wonder she’s been so quiet about it.

  “Go look at our home, baby.” He kisses my neck before nudging me to go inside.

  I step in and look around at the beautiful space. I can’t believe this is going to be our home together.

  When I turn to look at Drake he’s down on one knee. “I know Mom said we can’t get married yet, but I still want everyone to know that day is coming. Tell me you’re going to marry me and this place is another chapter of our lives together,” he says as he pushes the ring on my finger.

  “One of many chapters,” I whisper, fighting tears of joy and nodding happily.

  I start to fall to my knees, but Drake’s faster as he scoops me up into his arms and carries me through our new home. My back hits a bed and I get lost in my soon-to-be husband—my everything.

  Epilogue

  Drake

  Three years later…

  “Is it weird we only have one section for family to sit in?” Ali asks me. I smirk. She slaps me on the arm with her bouquet and then checks it for damage. “Shoot, look what you made me do.”

  “Calm down, Ali girl,” I say, tugging her into me. I rub my hands down her bare back and she looks up into my eyes. “We invited the people we love and people who love us. Nothing else matters.”

  “I saw the preacher talking to Dad. What if he doesn’t show up?” Her eyebrows draw together in concern but it doesn’t make her look any less beautiful.

  She made me go with her to try on wedding dresses. I tried to tell her that wasn’t tradition but she insisted she needed me. I wasn’t any help and told her every single one was “the dress” and she finally gave up and got the one she loved most. Which was my plan all along.

  It’s covered in white lace with long sleeves and hugs close to her body. The back is cut out completely all the way to her hips and shows off her gorgeous skin she knows I can’t keep my hands off of.

  We graduated college three weeks ago, and I played my last game in college football on Saturday. I’ve got the draft coming up and I’ve got a real shot at the pros, but we’ve got time to think on that before we make the decision. Ali and I want a family, and we don’t want to wait too long. It’s been awesome having this time together alone and in college, but we’ve known from the beginning that we’re destined to be together and make babies. Why put off what we both want any longer?

  “I’m nervous.” She runs her hands up my tux and I capture them in mine.

  “Are you nervous to marry me?” I feel a smile tug at my lips as she rolls her eyes.

  “Of course not.”

  “Are you nervous to be in front of everyone and tell them you love me?”

  She sighs as she shakes her head.

  “Are you nervous to be my wife until the end of time?”

  “Don’t be silly, Drake.” She slaps my chest and I grab her hand then kiss the palm.

  “I’ve made sure that everything will be perfect. There’s nothing to worry about and nothing to fear. I’m going to be at the end of that aisle waiting on you to come be my wife.” I lean in close and kiss her softly before I rest my forehead against hers. “All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other.”

  She nods and I feel her let out a breath as her shoulders relax. There’s a small knock on the door and then Dad opens it and he and Mom walk in.

  “Are you kids ready?” he asks, looking between us.

  “We are,” Ali answers for the both of us.

  I give her one last squeeze as Dad walks over and takes her hands and I stand next to Mom. We decided to go the less traditional route since we’re already a little outside of tradition, and all four of us will walk down at the same time. Dad is walking with Ali and I’m walking with Mom. Once we get down front, we’ll switch.

  “I love you,” I say to Ali and wink at her before I take Mom’s hand.

  “I love you too,” she tells me back and I see the sparkle in her eye.

  This is the first step of many and I can’t wait to begin.

  Epilogue

  Drake

  Six years later…

  “Breathe, breathe, breathe,” I chant as Ali squeezes the shit out of my hand.

  “You can do this, Ali bug, we’re right here.” Mom is on the other side of her and she and Ali have locked eyes.

  I thought I could do this on my own after having done it twice already, but Ali wanted to go for a natural birth this time after using epidurals for the first two. It’s been quite a bit more intense, to say the least.

  Dad and Lindsey are in the waiting room with our two oldest boys while Liam is at home with their little girl. We all rushed into the ER with me yelling for help. At the time Ali thought it would be any second but that was six hours ago and she hasn’t made any progress since.

  The nurse just came in and checked and said that she’s getting there slowly but I just want someone to give her a shot and make the pain go away.

  “Maybe we should ask for drugs.” The words tumble out of my mouth and as Ali’s face snaps to mine I realize it was the wrong thing to say.

  “Drake,” Mom says and I look at her. “If she can do this, so can you.”

  I nod and go back to telling her to breathe. Suddenly a big contraction hits just as Dr. Cross walks in and comes around to check Ali.

  “It looks like it’s time.” She grabs her scrubs and all the nurses come in as she looks at Ali. “Let’s meet baby number three, shall we?”

  Without a word Ali nods and I see her summon all of her strength. She’s so damn strong and every day I’m with her I’m in awe of her. She’s the most amazing mother and wife I could’ve ever dreamed of and she’s more than just that. She’s my best friend and the one person in the whole world I want to share my life with.

  “Push,” Dr. Cross calls out and Ali bears down with all her might.

  There’s a long silent moment that passes through the room and then suddenly there’s a cry. In one quick moment she gives us life and my heart is so overwhelmed with love.

  “It’s a girl!” Dr. Cross calls out and then there she is on Ali’s chest and we’ve got our arms wrapped around her.

  I kiss Ali’s forehead as she begins to cry and then she looks up at me with watery eyes.

  “I love you so much,” she says and I kiss her soft lips.

  We break apart to see our new little girl and then I look up at Mom. She’s crying just as hard as Ali as she looks down at us and smiles.

  “Go ahead and tell Dad,” I say, and she nods and rushes out of the room. I laugh and shake my head. “He’s going to be so happy.”

  “I know,” Ali says as she kisses our little one on the head.

  “Thank you,” I whisper and she looks up at me.

  “For what?”

  “Everything. Since the day you walked into my life, it’s all been right. You’ve made every moment on this earth perfect.”

  “Stop or I’ll keep crying.” She wipes away tears as she smiles and we stare down at our daughter. “I love you too.”

  It’s a long time before any of us get any sleep, but it’s a moment none of us will ever forget. It’s another page in our forever and I can’t wait to add more.

  Epilogue

  Ali

  Ten-year high school reunion…

  “It fits!” I say as I burst out of my closet with my Homecoming dress on.

  It’s a little snug but somehow it’s still on. Three kids, and maybe a fourth on the way if I’m guessing right, and it still fits.

  “You’re wearing that?” Drake looks at my chest where my tits are trying to burst free. He slides his phone into the pocket of his slacks and as always he looks yummy. It doesn't matter if he’s on the football field, manning the grill in the backyard, or dressed up. He always looks good.

  His eyes leave my chest to meet mine. Okay, maybe it doesn't fit like it did ten years ago but I still got it zipped and that’s what counts.

  “I don’t want to ruin the dress,” he warns, and I know he means he’ll rip it off me and then I’ll have to put something else on. My boobs are spilling out of it because somehow pregnancy made them bigger. My waist might be almost the same as back in high school but the girls aren’t close.

  The dress caught my eye while I was getting ready and I wasn't sure why we were going to the high school reunion to begin with. The only people from high school we still talk to are Lindsey and Liam, who are as happily married as us. We’re all going together since Lindsey talked us into going.

  We found out the Blonde Brigade has been on the outs since high school. I’d be shocked if Court or Eric show up tonight. They ended up together somehow and it’s my understanding both are under investigation for fraud and things are not looking good for either of them. I heard jail time was in their future but I don't pay much attention to it. There are always rumors about different things, so Drake and me being stepbrother and sister is small compared to the other things people got themselves into since high school. We’re a pretty normal, drama-free family.

  “I’m not wearing it, so hands off.” I point my finger at him in my own warning. I know it’s the wrong choice of words the second they come out of my mouth.

  He’s all over me in two seconds and the dress is gone. Thank God he doesn’t rip it, not that I care in this moment. He lifts me into his arms and I wrap my legs around him as he carries me back in my closet and kicks the door shut.

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