Page 86 of Under Fire in Big Sky

“Didn’t need it anyway,” he said, and she grinned. “But I do need you. You’re my yellow sun.”

Her grin widened. “I’m right here.”

“In the ambulance, you didn’t answer my question. About marrying me. I kept my end of the deal.”

“E, I won’t hold you to that. You thought you were dying.” So did I.

“Everything that’s beautiful in the world is wrapped up in you, Liv. You make me a better man. I’m in love with you. I was afraid of how I felt before, but not anymore. Guess all it took was almost dying. So, what do you say? Will you marry me?”

“Yes, Eli.” She kissed him softly. “I’ll marry you.”

Epilogue

Ten months later…

The baby started fussing.

Eli picked his son up from the car seat they had brought into Autumn’s house. He grabbed a bottle from the diaper bag and sat down at the kitchen table to feed him.

From the living room, Liv caught his eye. She excused herself from the group she was chatting with and came over. “Do you want me to do it?”

“No, hon, I’ve got it.” He slipped the bottle’s nipple into his son’s mouth. Noah Avery Easton. His middle name was after his mother. It was Liv’s idea, to honor her memory. “We flew back for Summer’s bridal shower. I want you to enjoy it.”

“This is a unisex shindig,” she said. “Both of us are supposed to have fun.”

The entire Ironside team was there along with friends from Bitterroot Falls.

“This is fun for me.” He glanced down at the tiny angel cradled in his arms. Their son was a preemie, who’d come into the world screaming. Eli had been torn between gawking at the little, miraculous bundle and Liv, who was sweaty and exhausted from ten hours of labor. She’d given birth on Christmas Eve, ten minutes before midnight. Noah was born healthy, albeit at thirty-six weeks and four days, weighing five pounds, twelve ounces. Tough from the start, Noah was healthy enough to avoid a stay in the NICU. Liv didn’t have any complications. Eli was right by her side, holding her hand, the entire time. It was the best Christmas gift he could ask for. The best moment of his entire life. “We’ll be fine. I promise.”

After surviving Sean Gannon, he could handle anything.

Sean was only in police custody for a week. Then he suffered a convenient heart attack. Eli suspected it might have been the handiwork of the CIA, or, even more likely, that Lauren sent someone to take care of him. Eli didn’t care who was responsible, so long as that man was dead.

“I know you will.” Liv put a hand on his back and rubbed. “Can I get you anything?”

“I’m good.”

Liv kissed him and caressed the top of Noah’s head before he watched his beautiful wife walk into the living room.

Eli had spent weeks recovering from his gunshot wound. In late August, they had a small wedding, surrounded by family and friends. Olivia wanted to get married before her stomach was the size of a basketball. When her father walked her down the aisle, her baby bump was noticeable, but the empire waist of her wedding gown made the bride look like a goddess.

“This is where you’re hiding,” Takoda said as he, Chance, Bo, and Autumn waltzed into the kitchen.

“Not hiding. Just wanted a quiet spot to feed him.”

“You could’ve used my bedroom,” Autumn said. “It’s fine if you want to put him down in there for a nap.” She smiled at Noah. “He’s such a good baby I haven’t heard him cry once today.”

“Yeah, he only cries when he has a wet diaper.” Eli watched Noah sucking on the bottle like a champ. “If he’s hungry, he just fusses.”

She picked up a tray of canapés and set it on the table. “Is he sleeping through the night yet?”

“Once he hit ten pounds, Liv’s mom got us this special sleep sack to swaddle him in, and it worked like a charm.”

“Are you getting along with your in-laws?” she asked, her tone gentle.

“They’ve been great.” Before the wedding, they acted like he might get cold feet and jilt their daughter at the altar. Afterward, they slowly warmed up to him. Now, they called him son and treated him like one. “We’re at their house for dinner once a week. Mom Adani wasn’t quite sure how to handle my presence in the kitchen with her, but now she drags me in if I take too long to get in there myself.”

Everyone laughed.