HOLY SMOKES

epilogue. seven years later

Magnolia smiled as she sat on the porch on her and Boone’s farmhouse, she raised her tea to her lips as she watched the sunrise over the fields where the cows grazed. She rocked back on the swing, soaking up the early morning breeze and the quietness of it all.

“AHH!” Her peacefulness was broken as a six-year-old Lucy ran out the door with a white cowboy hat on her head, followed by a four-year-old Tucker, both kids laughing and before the screen door could slam shut Boone caught it.

“Everythin’ okay?” Magnolia asked, sipping from her mug as she watched the two kids rush towards the barn.

“Yeah, they’re excited about the rodeo.” He hummed, joining her on the porch swing, draping his arm around her. “Lucy told Tuck that when they got all the chores done, we'd go.”

“That's not until tonight,” she chuckled.

“You try tellin’ ‘em that,” he leaned his head over on her shoulder. She kissed his forehead, bringing a smile to his lips as he closed his eyes.

She smiled as she watched Lucy drive her little battery-powered Jeep out of the barn with Tucker in the wagon that was attached to the back of it. The jeep had a plastic roll cage, and small rocket launcher on the sides – which actually worked. Lucy wanted it to be just like Uncle Tyler’s truck and with help from Tyler, Boone had done the best he could.

“Looks like they got distracted,” Magnolia chuckled, looking over at her husband.

When the time had come, Boone stepped away from the crew. Lucy had been about sixteen months old and Magnolia had just found out that she was pregnant with Tucker. He thought it was the right time, and the crew was very supportive, even their fans were supportive of his decision.

Now, he loved his life, and chasing two kids around was just as hectic as chasing a tornado anyways. Besides, Tyler would call after every storm just to tell him about it, so it was almost like he was there.

They both still worked closely with the crew, Magnolia pretty much ran their socials with Dani. She was still working with Kelly and the non-profit, and they even made appearances on the channel occasionally. They just weren't on the road as much as they used to be.

“There's a tornado!” Lucy shouted with a giggle, and Boone sat up quickly, his eyes wide, making Magnolia laugh.

“They’re just playin’.” She patted his thigh and he let out a breath, watching the two kids.

“Harness up!” Lucy shouted, pulling her harness on. “Tuck?”

“Yep!” The boy grinned, his blue eyes shining brightly in the early morning sun. He pulled the strap Boone had put in the wagon around him.

“Don’t try this at home!”

Magnolia laughed as Lucy drove through the yard, both her and Tucker cheering as if they were driving towards a storm. And what got her was the small video camera Tucker held up.

While Lucy wanted to be just like Uncle Tyler, Tucker wanted to be just like his daddy.

“Anchors!”

Boone shook his head a little, “they watch too many of those videos.” Magnolia just nodded.

Both kids jumped out of the jeep, Tucker holding the camera up as he and Lucy twirled their fingers, doing the Tornado Wranglers hand signal.

“Remember, we are professional Tornado Wranglers.” She told the camera before Tucker turned it off, and just as they climbed back into their seats, Tyler’s truck pulled up into the yard. “Uncle Tyler!”

“Mini me!” He grinned and hopped out of the truck, then he scooped her up when she was close enough. “Tuck!” he did the same with Tucker, so he was holding both kids. “What have you two been up to?” He asked, looking back at Kate, who laughed as she jumped out of the truck.

“We’re playing Tornado Wranglers.” Lucy smiled, then she and Tucker twirled their fingers again, making him laugh.

Magnolia smiled as she watched them, Tucker reaching for Kate when she was close enough, then a thought crossed her mind, “Boone…”

“Yeah, angel?”

“We’re raising a girl version of Ty.”

He parted his lips to argue, but after a moment, he nodded. “Yes, yes we are. But Ty ain’t that bad.”

“No, I know.” she nodded. “I love Ty, you know that. But raising one of him, and a girl none-the-less. We can only hope the next one isn’t obsessed the way Lucy is.”

“Yea-wait, what?” He turned towards her, his eyebrows pinched. “Next one?”

She nodded, her smile growing as she put her mug on the banister, “yeah, i found out this morning. We’re havin' another baby.”

His face softened, a smile tugging at his lips, “really?”

“Yeah, baby.” She nodded. “Always said we wanted three.”

“We’re having another baby!” He jumped up, pulling her into his chest, drawing the attention of the others in the yard. “I love you,” he slotted his lips against hers and she smiled as she stood on her toes, her arms around his neck. “So much.”

“I love you,” she mumbled into the kiss and he lifted her off her feet before spinning her around, making her giggle.

“Another baby,” he hummed, kissing the end of her nose as he put her back on her feet.

“We gettin’ another baby?” Lucy asked as she ran over, her hand on the rail as she started up the porch steps.

“Yes, yes, we are.” Boone nodded, bending down to pick her up.

“Can I name it?” She grinned, her brown eyes wide.

“I wanna- I wanna name it!” Tucker shouted and Magnolia met him on the steps before lifting him up onto her hip.

“We’re open to suggestions.” Magnolia nodded.

Lucy smirked, “Tyler.”

Tyler laughed, throwing his head back. Kate bit her lip, but even she couldn’t hide her laugh. Boone and Magnolia shared a look, the former shrugging his shoulders a little.

“It’s a good name,” Tyler mused.

“Um, no, honey. Uncle Tyler already has that name. So why don’t we try to pick a different name.”

She pouted, “fine.” She wiggled and Boone put her down, she stomped towards Tyler, who stood at the bottom of the steps. “I tried. Mommy said no.”

“Tyler James,” Magnolia huffed, shaking her head and he raised his hands as if in surrender.

“You got a name, Tuck?” Boone asked, the little boy.

He nodded, “can it be a boy?”

“Well, we won’t know for a while.” Magnolia told him.

“It should be a boy,” he nodded. “And his name is Beau.”

It was quiet for a moment, Magnolia and Boone sharing a look, “that’s on our list.”

“The kid has spoken,” Boone nodded. “If it’s a boy, Beau.”

“And if it’s a girl?” Kate asked curiously.

“I like Daisy,” Lucy stated and Boone chuckled.

“Then Daisy if it’s a girl.” He patted the kid on the head.

“Okay!” She grinned. “Come on, Tuck! There’s another tornado!” She rushed down the steps and Tucker wiggled until Magnolia put him down, then he followed after her towards the jeep.

“What are they-”

“Harnesses on!”

“It’s their favorite game.” Boone chuckled, patting his best friend on the shoulder.

“My camera!” Tucker shouted after he dropped it, then he jumped out of the wagon and fell face first on the ground.

“Oh, my God,” Magnolia rushed down the stairs, the others following, but they all stopped when he pushed himself up and grabbed the camera.

“Got it!” He turned, his smile dropping. “Lucy! You left me!” He ran after her and when he got close he jumped into the wagon. “Yes!” He cheered, throwing his arms into the air.

“I said harnesses on!” Lucy huffed, shaking her head.

“That’s my boy,” Boone grinned.

“He’s gonna give me a heart attack,” Magnolia mumbled, shaking her head a little before she looked over at Kate. “Mind helpin’ me with breakfast?”

“‘Course not. Let’s go.” They started towards the house, glancing back as the kids laughed. Tyler and Boone spun in circles, pretending to be tornadoes, which Lucy and Tucker absolutely loved.

And Magnolia had never been happier that Tucker’s camera actually worked, and he was unknowingly capturing some of his mom’s favorite moments on that little video camera. Moments that Magnolia would cherish for years, moments that even he and Lucy would love to have later on.

“You ready for three?” Kate asked as they walked into the kitchen.

Magnolia rested her hand on her small belly, not that she was showing yet. “Yeah, I am.”

the end

NOVA SPEAKS

this book has officially come to an end! i can't believe it! i seriously love these two so much!
i have had so much fun writing them and it's kind of hard to believe that this all started because of a song.

it's a little weird to say goodbye to them because they have been my every thought for a couple of weeks, but honestly it feels like longer.

anyways, thank you all so much for reading! i'm so happy y'all have been enjoying this book as much as i have. it truly is one of my favorites, and maggie and boone are one of my favorite couples.

now, for a shameless promotion, i recently posted a tyler owens fic, under my skin, and now that this book is complete i'm hoping to start publishing chapters soon!

p.s. lucy is definitely gonna go to college for meteorology - just like uncle tyler. tucker is gonna go to school to improve his camera skills, only to find out the class is dumb so he drops out. then he and lucy carry on the tornado wranglers' legacy.