Craig's Heart

Epilogue

Craig surveyed the small space, satisfied with what had been accomplished in such a short time. He had his family and the Haven pack to thank for that. Everyone had put in time on the project, working extra hours to get it done quickly.

His life had changed so much in the past month. Only four weeks ago, he’d wandered down a dark alley when he’d heard a cry. Now he was happier than he’d ever imagined he could be.

“What do you think?” Chrissten slipped her arm around his waist. “Will she like it?”

“Evie will love it.” He’d kept her away from the space, which hadn’t been easy. The daybed from her old apartment took up a place of honor in the corner. It was no longer bare, but covered with soft sheets, a thick comforter and about a dozen pillows in various earth-tone colors. The skylight let in the light of the moon and the city. It also had a metal shutter that could be closed during the day to keep out the sunlight. One wall consisted entirely of bookshelves, filled with the belongings they’d salvaged from her apartment. A brand new easel stood in one corner alongside a table filled with paints and brushes. All waiting for Evie.

Craig sensed his brother coming up behind him. “That’s the last of it.” Quinn had removed the last of the tools and empty boxes from the room. The space was truly done.

“Thank you, Quinn. For this and for everything.” It hadn’t been easy for them, but they’d done their best to accept Evie.

Seeing him and Evie together had made it easier for them. Like he’d told Evie, once they saw how happy she made him, they’d love her. And while they weren’t quite there yet, it was getting better every day.

“You’re my brother.” Quinn pulled him into a quick hug and whacked him on the back. “Whatever you need.

Whatever makes you happy.”

“Evie does.”

“We can all see that,” Chrissten said. “We’re all going over to Haven.

Join us there later?” They’d gotten into the habit of meeting at Haven after closing a couple of times a week.

Spending time together was helping all of them adjust to their new reality. Craig and Evie hung out with the group and caught up on all the news of the day while the rest of them had a drink or something to eat.

“We’ll stop by for a few minutes, but we can’t stay. We promised Damek we’d spend some time with him and Sonia tonight.” Craig had spent a lot of time with his friend these last weeks, talking and learning, training with weapons and learning battle tactics to use against humans and other paranormal creatures.

Damek was giving both him and Evie a full education. He’d also monitored them closely, making sure their blood intake was sufficient to keep the bloodlust at bay. So far, things had been working out great for both he and Evie. Sure, they had their moments, but they helped one another through them.

It was funny, but Damek had accepted Evie more easily than his siblings had. Maybe because Sonia and Evie had become fast friends and there was nothing Damek wouldn’t do to please his wife. Or maybe it was because it had finally occurred to the older vampire that he had a friend for eternity now that Craig was a vampire.

Either way, Craig was happy.

And speaking of happiness. “Evie is coming.”

Chrissten laughed. “We’ll leave you here. I’m surprised you managed to keep her away at all.”

“I made her promise.” And Evie always kept her promises.

His brother and sister left and he heard Evie exchange a tentative greeting with them as they passed on the narrow staircase. She slowed as she reached the door.

He walked to the thick wooden panel and opened it. Evie stood there dressed in dark jeans and a deep-purple turtleneck sweater. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and she looked good enough to eat. He had her several times every night, but it never seemed to be enough. He loved the sound of her moans when he pleasured her, the touch of her soft hands on his skin, especially wrapped around his cock.

He shuddered but managed to control his unruly hormones. Now was not the time. He smiled and invited her in.

“Welcome to your new studio.”

Her eyes widened as she stepped into the room and turned in a slow circle. “It’s incredible.” She took in the entire space. “It’s almost exactly like my old space, only better. I love it.”

Craig wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I wanted you to have a space that was just yours. A place where you felt comfortable and at home.” He rocked her slightly as he pointed out the different features. “There’s no kitchen, for obvious reasons, but the daybed, the bookshelves and your belongings are all here.”

“The easel. It’s incredible. And all those paints.”

“It’s time for you to get back to doing what you love. You have a new gallery waiting to show your work.”

Evie tilted her head back and scowled at him. “You made your sister and Bethany ask me if they could show my work, didn’t you?”

He shook his head. “I simply showed them a few of your paintings that survived Vladimir’s wrath when he destroyed your things. I’m so glad he never bothered with most of the things in the closet.

She shivered and snuggled closer.

“Me too. They really want my paintings?”

“They really do. Bethany is already rubbing her hands together with glee, talking about how much they plan to charge for them.”

Evie laughed. “That girl does enjoy her work.”

Both Bethany and Chrissten had found their niche in the local art world and they both loved it. Now his Evie could be a part of it. Everything was perfect. Or it soon would be.

“Do you remember what I said that night in your apartment?”

Evie turned in his arms and kissed his chin. “I remember. You told me we’d make this special place for me. Thank you.”

He caught her before she could kiss his lips, because if she started he’d never say what he wanted to. And this was too important to put off. “I said something else too.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. “I told you I wouldn’t rush you and I tried not to. But I want you to be my wife.” He went down on one knee in front of her.

“Evie, will you marry me?”

Her eyes widened and her lower lip trembled. For a moment, his stomach clenched with fear. Then she launched herself at him. “Yes. Oh, yes.”

He fell back on the floor with her in his arms. She kissed him and he could resist the lure of her no longer. He rolled until she was under him. “Thank you for making me the happiest man, the happiest vampire in the world.”

Evie laughed and then frowned.

“Where’s the ring?”

Craig threw back his head and laughed. That was his Evie. Bold and beautiful. He scanned the room. “Over there.” He crawled off her and snagged the ring.

She pushed herself into a seated position and held out her hand. He slid the ring on her slender finger. It fit perfectly. Evie raised her hand and examined the glittering diamond. “It’s beautiful.”

He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “No, you’re the one who is beautiful.” His gaze went to the door.

“We’re about to have company. Come on in,” he called.

Chrissten and Bethany burst into the room with their husbands close behind them. “We hadn’t left yet.” Chrissten motioned to all of them with her hand. “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but there were still a few empty boxes on the stairs and I figured I’d take them down to the trash to save you the trouble.” His sister was totally out of breath but kept talking. “I heard you propose.” Chrissten glanced at Evie’s hand and saw the ring.

Both women squealed and jumped up and down. “You’re getting married,” his sister cried. Bethany and Chrissten hugged him for a brief moment and then abandoned him to hug Evie. She gave him a deer-in-the-headlights stare, but he shrugged. Evie’s eyes narrowed, promising retribution later. He simply laughed.

“Oh, let me see your ring,” Bethany exclaimed. “It’s beautiful. This means you have to let us show your work.

You’re family now, and family sticks together.”

Evie burst out laughing and Craig muscled his sister and sister-in-law aside so he could reach his future wife.

“I told you.” He felt smug and happy.

“Let’s go to Haven to celebrate,” Quinn suggested. He was a bit more subdued than the women, but Craig knew he was coming around.

“It’s too early for us to go to Haven.” It was still difficult for both him and Evie to be around large groups of humans. “You go on ahead and we’ll join you later.”

“Promise?” Chrissten asked.

“Promise.” He kissed her cheek.

“Okay, everybody out.” Hank ushered his wife and the others out, giving Craig a nod as he shut the door behind them.

Craig turned to Evie. “Now where were we?”

Evie laughed and launched herself into his arms. He carried her to the daybed and laid her down on the thick comforter. “I love you, Evie.”

“And I love you.” She pulled him closer. “Thank you for not letting me go.”

He cupped her precious face in his hands, wondering how he’d gotten so damn lucky. “Never.”