THE BRAVO BOYS - SNAKE EATER [book three]

Chapter SIXTY NINE [THE EPILOGUE]

Epilogue characters;
Dustin Drake & Dallas Nash

....

Dallas Nash

~Epilogue~

...six months later...

"Oh, Tex! You look like a princess!" Shelby sniffles, wiping the tears from her eyes as I twirl in the lacey pink gown. A dress that she had dug out of storage weeks ago and had altered just for me to wear to prom. The very same dress that she wore when she was Crowned Miss Pennsylvania all those years ago. Ever since their lowkey courthouse wedding a few months ago, Shelby and Logan have been inseparable, they do everything together. They eat together, they go to the gym together, they work together, they watch the same shows , read the same books and laugh at the same lame jokes. But most of all, they dote over me and my baby cousin as if we were the second coming of Christ and Mary.

"You look just like your mother, Tex. So beautiful." My uncle cradles a bundle of soft blue blankets in his arms as he leans one shoulder against the door frame. With a proud smile he watches over us as Shelby fusses over the final finishing touches on my hair.

"You really think so?" I blush at the compliment, feeling sentimental and a little sheepish at the mention of my mom. Things have been different since Shelby moved in with us. Her nurturing feminine presence is one I have longed for ever since I can remember, and some days it even feels as though I have real parents. But then I am reminded by my mothers death and I can't help but feel guilty. It's not that Shelby has ever said or done anything to try and replace my mom, instead it is my love for her that I struggle to reconcile with.

Happiness has always been a fleeting feeling for me. But now, with the love of my family, each day seems a little brighter.

"I really do, Little Darlin'." Logan smiles at me surely before my baby cousin begins to stir awake, and grumble in disapproval of his nap being disturbed.

"Oh, Sweet Harvey! Don't you cry now!" I rush over to place a smooch on his adorable bald head, pained by his frustrated whining. When Harvey cries, I feel this strange ache deep down in my stomach and it's all I can do to find a way to make him feel better.. "Is he okay? He sounds super cranky!"

"He's probably just hungry." Shelby settles on the bed, holding out her arms for her beautiful baby.

"This one is on you, Mama." My uncle chuckles as he passes his cranky son off to his happily glowing wife for feeding before he reaches into his pocket and retrieves a small black box, offering it out to me. "And this is for you, Princess. It belonged to Dixie, the only thing I have left of her really. Houston gave it to her on their wedding day.. But I think you're old enough that it belongs with you now."

"Really?" My wide eyes look up to find my uncle's sincere and loving gaze.

He nods solemnly. "She'd want you to have it."