They held each other for long minutes, and even Kiwi had the sense to curl up on the mat by the back door and leave them alone as his hands stroked up and down Daisy’s back.

“I don’t know if I can let you go,” he said with a broken laugh. “I thought I could, and I meant to, but—”

Daisy pulled back slightly and dragged his mouth down to hers, pouring her heart and soul into the kiss. His hands lifted to her head, deepening the kiss before breaking away and tilting her face up to his.

“Give me one more chance. Just one more chance, love. My love.”

She looked up at him and realized that a lifetime of risks with him would be infinitely more fulfilling than a safe lifetime without him.

“Let’s do it,” she whispered.

His eyes flashed with hope. “Do what?”

“All of it. Put our hearts on the line, trust the other that it’ll be worth it.”

“It’s already been worth it,” he said quietly, touching his lips to hers. “But I’m greedy. I still want.”

“What do you want?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his waist and smiling up at him.

He smiled back, resting his forehead on hers. “You, Daisy. I want someone like you.”

Epilogue

THREE YEARS LATER

Daisy was browning the meat for Taco Tuesday, New York style, when she heard the familiar song. She laughed at the unexpected moment, and turned to see her husband leaning in the doorway, iPhone in hand.

“Seriously? You know that song gets stuck in our heads for days after.”

“Dance for me, Mathis,” he said, speaking up to be heard over Britney.

“What do you mean dance for you? You already talked me into making that monstrosity our wedding song. How about we compromise. I’ll dance with you.”

“Nuh-uh,” he said. “I want this to be like the first time we heard our song.”

“It is not our song,” she grumbled.

“It is too. Ever since the night of Cassidy and Emma’s wedding when you gave one hell of a striptease.”

“How would you know?” she asked. “Seeing as you turned your back and all.”

“You’re right, I did,” he said with a grin. “Which is why I deserve a do-over.”

“How about you get your do-over when I’m not feeling so massively huge.”

“Nope, now.”

She looked over at the insistent expression on his face. Lincoln was as easygoing as ever, but every now and then he had these commanding, stubborn streaks and…

“Fine,” she said, flicking off the burner. “If you’re sure you want to do this when I should be cooking dinner.”

His gaze raked over her body. “Oh I’m sure. I’m definitely sure.”

She bit her lip, because even with the odd circumstances, the way he looked at her made her hot, now and always. Such was life being married to Lincoln Mathis.

“Turn it up,” she said quietly.

He did, and she began to sway a little from side to side, feeling foolish, but also free. Her fingers lifted to the top of her blouse, holding his gaze as she flicked one button. Then another.

“Are you sure?” she said, her hand faltering. “I’m sort of—”

“I’m sure.”

Daisy undid another button. Then another. Until her blouse was open, and his eyes locked adoringly on her as she got bolder with her dance, giving a little more sway and shake, popping her hip to one side, then the other, taking a step nearer—

Daisy froze, her eyes going wide.

Lincoln was standing up straight, his gaze sharpening in a second. “What is it?” He came to her. “Daisy, damn it, what is it?”

She looked up at him in wonder as her hand came to her stomach. “I think my water just broke.”

SEVEN HOURS LATER

“He’s so beautiful,” Penelope said, as she brushed a finger over Christian Daniel Mathis’s newborn cheek.

“So is she,” Cole said, cradling a tiny Adelaide Katherine Mathis in his arms.

“Twins,” Penelope whispered. “I mean, I know we knew, but seeing them together—”

Lincoln cleared his throat. “You know that we’re the parents, right?”

“I do,” Penelope said, still gazing at the infant. “But there’s an army outside waiting their turn, so I’m soaking up my moment with the babies for as long as I can, and you just keep that ever-babbling trap shut, Lincoln.”

Lincoln glanced over at the window that separated Daisy’s room from the waiting area. Sure enough, there was every single one of their friends—including new friends from Daisy’s wedding planning job—standing not so patiently, waiting for their chance to pay their respects to Lincoln and Daisy’s newborns.

“I’m impressed everyone’s not crowded in here,” Daisy said in a tired but happy voice. He looked back at his wife of a little more than a year and reached for her hand, his heart soaring with love the way it did every time he looked at her, talked to her, or just thought of her.

“I paid Cassidy to keep them at bay. I love this weird Stiletto/Oxford family of ours to death, but I’m not entirely convinced that they won’t steal our children.”

Even as he said it, Penelope was easing toward the door, Christian in hands.

“Tiny,” Cole said indulgently to his wife.

“Right,” she said with a sigh, coming back to the bed, and handing Lincoln’s son over to him. “Grace and Jake are next, but you parents can have a few minutes before they come in here.”