My Guardian

Epilogue

"Are you ready to go Tiger?" Snake asks with a lazy smile as he hoists our bag over his shoulder. Yes and no. It's been absolutely beautiful, our road trip, exploring the open road and checking off bucket list items one after another. Snake made sure to keep his word and show me the world. And lot's of practicing.

"Yeah, as much as I've loved our trip and freedom. I can't wait to go back to work and see everyone." I pause as I pick up my new guitar, once more struck by its beauty. I can't believe he bought a custom Martin guitar. "Is it just me?" I ask, glancing up at him with a smile.

"No, it's not just you. I'm ready to get home and finish the house. Settle some affairs and then make you a mother." He winks with a grin as he opens the door to Pops rustic cabin. It's so beautiful out here. We're so close to being home, it's crazy how home sick I feel. We're just a few hours away. "And not necessarily in that order." I laugh and shake my head.

We've talked so much about kids and starting our own family. I don't ever want to risk my child's life, especially with the nightmare of the cartel. I want things settled completely. I don't think it'll be possible to wait for complete safety. But knowing this could come back and bite me, or us really, scares me. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if my child was abducted because of this.

"I'm holding you to that." He laughs as he puts the last bag in the truck and I glance around, making sure everything is cleaned. I'd hate to leave a mess for someone else to clean up. I grab our lanyard of keychains, saved for our future map. I can't wait to add onto it in the future. We've stopped in every state and large town to collect a keychain to decorate our personal map, our love story. While I've never been big on momento's, these feel special to me.

I stare at the photos in each square and want to roll my eyes. It was a moment of complete cheesiness. And yet they will be some of my most prized possessions. "Don't worry with a promise like that, I plan on keeping it to the absolute fullest." His words make me blush as he stops by me, glancing at the lanyard. He fingers through them with his own smile.

"Hush, how long do you think it'll take for us to make it to Lulu's? I'm starving." I pat my belly with a smile watching as he chuckles and kisses me. As fun as this trip has been, I'm ready to be in our bed and cuddle with Dozer. I can't wait to see him and everyone else. But mostly him... and Eric. The one time I met him was precious. I can't wait to pinch his cheeks. And I can't wait to play fetch with Dozer.

"I don't know, two hours or so. It depends on how bad traffic is." Picking his hand up I follow him out the door, locking it behind us.

"I can't wait to see everyone. I wonder if Dozer was a good boy for everyone and was nice to Eric." I really hope he's good with kids. Snake gets my door for me and snorts, rolling his eyes.

"Are you kidding me? That isn't good for anyone besides Angel and you. He loves getting into trouble too much." I laugh and shrug before kissing his cheek.

"He's the bestest boy. Besides you're his partner in crime." I excuse making him grin with a wink. They are trouble traveling. The simple band catches my eye as he heads for the driver seat and I struggle to contain my giddy smile. The wedding was kitschy in every way possible. From Snake's awful miss matched suit to the tacky fake fairy dress I wore. Not to mention Elvis marrying us, and giving us a hula send off.

It makes me sick and laugh and just- it's us. It was a total shotgun wedding, I pray the pictures are never to be seen by anyone in the club. We'd never hear the end of it. I'm sure to anyone else we looked like a lunatic couple without a chance of surviving the honeymoon stage. "What's the first thing you're gonna do when we get home?" Snake asks as he gets in my new SUV. It's still not as good as mine was.