Epilogue
HEATH
“Uncle Hayden! Uncle Hayden! Look at what I caught!” Anthony, our oldest, runs toward Hayden with a huge grin on his face. The frog he’s holding ribbits, making my son laugh.
Hayden turns from where he was fishing in the creek and kneels as the excited eight-year-old comes to an abrupt stop in front of him. “Wow, that’s a big one! What are we naming him?”
“Craig!” comes the enthusiastic response.
I chuckle, and Hayden grins. It’s been so damn good having my best friend back in Hope Mountain.
He never left after that day so many years ago, when he found out about Lily and me, and I think he’s a better man because of it.
It was a transition for everyone, but a healthy one.
I couldn’t be prouder of my friend or my wife for taking the time to heal.
Speaking of… I scan up and down the bank of the stream, looking for my beautiful woman. She’s standing a few dozen feet away, smiling at our six-year-old twin daughters, Hannah and Hillary. Both girls are sitting cross-legged, making flower bracelets and crowns for each other.
I step up behind my gorgeous wife, sliding my arms around her waist and drawing her back against my front. “Are you having a good day?” I whisper, kissing the side of her neck.
“The best,” she confirms. “Thanks for convincing me to take the weekend off.”
I smile against her soft skin, loving the way she trembles slightly.
“You’re incredible, Lily. You amaze me every day with how hard you work to love your kids, run the bookstore, and make me the happiest man alive.
If I thought I could whisk you away for a month-long vacation, I would do it in a heartbeat. ”
Lily rests her head on my shoulder, letting me hold her and rock us gently as we survey the idyllic scenery before us.
“I don’t need a vacation,” she says softly.
“I have no need for an escape from my life. I love every moment of every day, even the hard ones. You give me a reason to smile no matter what life brings.”
Her words hit me deep. On our wedding day nearly nine years ago, I promised in front of God and all our friends and family to give Lily a reason to smile every day. So far, I’ve succeeded, and I don’t plan on messing up my track record now.
We stay wrapped up in each other for long moments, the sun warming our skin while a gentle breeze blows wisps of Lily’s hair across my face.
I close my eyes and let myself get carried away with the soundtrack of birds chirping, girls laughing, and the occasional splash of water from Anthony attempting to catch another frog.
When I moved back to Hope Mountain all those years ago, I never could have imagined my life would turn out this way. Lily and I had our fair share of obstacles in the beginning, but the bliss we experience now makes it all worthwhile. I know the next ten years will be even better.
THE END