Beyond Highland Sunrise Bonus Epilogue

 

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***

The late morning sun painted the highland landscape in shades of gold and green that I’d never properly appreciated before Parker crashed into my life. The valley spread out below us, a patchwork of heather and grass dotted with sheep that looked like scattered cotton balls from this height.

“Look at that view.” My wife breathed the words with reverence, one hand on Falkor’s harness as the big white dog carefully picked his way up the trail. No matter how many of these hikes we took, her appreciation never waned.

I kept my focus on her, and on the warm, sleepy weight of our fifteen-month-old daughter strapped to my chest. “Best one in Scotland.”

Parker glanced back and caught me looking. Her lips curved into a flirty grin that I couldn’t help but return.

The trail narrowed as we approached the summit, loose scree making footing tricky. I kept one hand protectively on Clara’s back while watching Parker navigate the terrain. She moved with a confidence that still amazed me, especially given how far she’d come from that first tentative hike years ago.

The peak loomed closer, and the wind picked up, carrying the wild scent of heather. Clara made soft snuffling sounds, dreaming of whatever babies dreamed of. Probably big floofy dogs, as she was besotted with Falkor. Fortunately, the feeling was mutual. Whatever it was seemed to be a good dream. Her little rosebud mouth curved into a smile, and even in sleep, her little fingers clutched my jacket, something that never failed to squeeze my heat.

“Almost there,” I said.

Parker grinned again, that same radiant smile that had first punched through my defenses and still had the capacity to bring me to my knees. “Number 223. Can you believe it?”

I couldn’t, actually. The day she’d first mentioned wanting to climb all the Grahams, I’d thought she was joking. But she’d approached it like everything else in her life—with careful planning, steady determination, and an irrepressible joy that made everyone around her believe anything was possible.

And clearly anything was possible. This remarkable woman had chosen me. She’d given me a family and shown me how to live again instead of just existing. I’d follow her to the ends of the earth for those gifts.

The memory of Clara’s birth still hit me like a punch to the gut. I hadn’t believed anyone could capture my heart as fully as Parker, but I’d been wrong. The moment they placed her in my arms, everything else fell away. She’d blinked up at me with unfocused grey eyes—my eyes—and wrapped her whole hand around my finger. Just like that, I was done for.

Parker claims I went soft that very instant, but she’s not wrong. That fierce need to protect had transformed into something deeper, more tender. Every milestone became a victory I never knew I needed—first smile, first laugh, first wobbly steps with Falkor’s patient assistance.

The way Parker handled motherhood knocked me sideways too. She’d taken to it with the same determination she approached everything else, even through the rough patches when her fibro flared. We’d learned to tag team, to read each other’s needs without words. The sound of her singing Clara to sleep while I cooked dinner became the highlight of my days.

Parker paused ahead of us, leaning on one of her trekking poles as she caught her breath. My chest swelled with quiet pride watching her. Two years ago, this final Graham would have been beyond her reach. But she’d built up to it steadily, refusing to let her condition dictate what she could achieve.

Abruptly Clara awoke, blinking up at me with those long-lashed eyes she’d inherited from me.

“Hi.”

That little mouth curved into a toothy grin that hit me straight in the heart. “Dada!”

I held up a finger for her to grab onto. “I’m happy to see you, too.”

Gripping my finger, she looked around, spotting Falkor where he’d settled protectively at Parker’s feet. She bounced in her carrier and pointed. “Fafa!”

Falkor’s tail thumped against the ground at her attention.

“Okay. Let’s do this.” Parker’s jaw set in that determined expression I’d come to know so well these past five years.

I caught up to her, sliding my free hand into hers. She squeezed my fingers, leaning over to press a kiss to the hot pink fleece hat covering Clara’s head.

My girls. My family. Sometimes I still couldn’t believe this was my life now.

We started the final ascent.

“Dada!” Clara bounced in her carrier, pointing at a cluster of purple thistle pushing through the rocks. “Fower!”

“That’s right, clever girl. Flower.” I pressed a kiss to her dark curls, breathing in that sweet baby scent that still clung to her. The way she saw wonder in everything reminded me daily to look past my own darkness.

She pointed at everything—rocks, clouds, the distant peaks wreathed in mist—announcing each discovery with the pure delight that only toddlers seemed capable of expressing.

Parker reached the summit first, Falkor at her heels. I followed close behind, keeping one hand on Clara’s back as we navigated the final scramble over loose rock. The view opened up around us—rolling hills and mountains stretching as far as the eye could see, painted in the rich shades of late summer.

“We did it!” Parker threw her arms wide, face glowing with triumph. Clara mimicked the gesture from her perch against my chest, tiny hands reaching for the sky as she squealed with delight.

“You did it. And you’re amazing.” I reached for my wife, pulling her into my side to capture her mouth with mine.

Clara patted both our cheeks, leaning in to get in on the action.

“You’re amazing, too, sweet girl.” Parker covered her little round cheek in kisses.

With one last tweak to Clara’s nose that left her giggling, Parker ducked around behind me to dig our water bottles out of my pack. She passed me one.

“So how do you feel?” I asked, tipping the bottle back.

“Incredible.” Her eyes sparkled with accomplishment and excitement.

I leaned back against a boulder and settled Clara more comfortably against my chest. “You know, we could start on the Corbetts next.”

Parker laughed. “Already planning the next challenge? We just finished this one.”

“Says the woman who started researching all the Grahams as soon as we finished the first one? It’s the obvious progression.”

“Fair point.” She leaned against the rock beside me. Falkor flopped at her feet with a dramatic sigh. “The Corbetts would be amazing. Though getting started on that might have to wait a bit.”

Clara grabbed for Parker’s finger as we sat, an iron grip that still amazed me for someone so wee. My wife’s expression softened as she looked at our daughter, then up at me.

“Oh? Why’s that?” Had we pushed too far? She was usually good at letting me know when she’d overdone.

“Because this one’s brother or sister is going to interrupt prime hiking season.”

My head whipped toward her, my mouth falling open. “Are you—?”

“Surprise?” Her smile wobbled a bit. “I just found out yesterday.”

My throat closed up as I stared at her.

“Callum, baby? You okay there?”

“You’re sure?” My voice came out rough.

Parker’s eyes glowed. “Took three tests. All positive.”

I pulled her close, careful not to squish Clara between us, and pressed my forehead to hers. The world tilted beneath my feet, not from the height but from the weight of joy crushing my chest. Another baby. Another tiny human who’d wrap their hand around my finger and steal a piece of my heart.

Clara patted my face, demanding attention. “Dada!”

I pressed a kiss to her dark curls, then reached for Parker with my free hand. She came willingly into my embrace, fitting against my side like she was made to be there. Maybe she was.

“I love you.” The words felt wholly inadequate for everything swelling in my chest. “Both of you. All of you.”

Falkor’s tail thumped against the ground as he settled at our feet, ever the guardian.

Five years ago, I’d been drowning in darkness, convinced I deserved nothing better than isolation. Now here I sat on a mountain peak with my wife tucked against my side, our daughter snuggled against my chest, and another miracle on the way.

Parker’s fingers laced through mine, resting over her still-flat stomach. “You’re happy?”

“Beyond words.” I pressed my forehead to hers. “You’ve given me everything I never knew I needed.”

Clara wiggled between us, demanding to be included. Parker laughed that bright, joyful sound. “And what do you think about being a big sister, sweetheart?”

“Fafa!” She reached for Falkor, completely missing the significance of the moment. But that was perfect too.

My family. My whole world right here on this mountaintop. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we’d face them together.

* * *

Is there anything better than seeing an inveterate grump turned to mush? I think not.

Thank you for checking out Callum and Parker’s happily ever after.

There’s one last Special Op Scot left. Finley’s story is next. Don’t miss his enemies to lovers romance with Saoirse, Beneath Highland Stars.