Epilogue
EPILOGUE
VICTOR
Eight Months Later
“ W ho’d have thought my big brother would get hitched?” Vance asks as he cracks open a can of beer. He does two more, offering one to me and the other to our youngest brother, Vaughn.
“I did,” Mother says, raising her empty glass to Vance, waving it through the air until the remnants of ice inside clink against the sides. Vance takes it and begins preparing another gin and tonic. “‘Mother knows best’ is a saying for a reason, isn’t it?”
“And here I thought it was a coincidence that I happened upon Olivia’s path that day.” I raise a brow as the pieces finally start falling into place.
This entire thing was by Mother’s design. I probably should’ve seen it sooner, considering how that morning started and where it ended. But blinded by the bombshell slowly making her way out of the living room, with her belly stretching the front of her baggy dress, I missed all the signs.
“Then I suppose I should thank you, shouldn’t I?” I turn to Mother while getting up from my chair.
“No need, my boy. I’m just happy to see you smiling,” she says.
I make my way over to my fiancé and wrap my arm around the small of her back. She giggles as I dip her low and kiss her as if no one’s watching.
“How are you feeling, my love?” I ask. She excused herself to go to the bathroom, and where I have no reason to believe it was for any serious reason, I can’t stop myself from worrying.
She’s the most important thing in my life right now, and how can I ignore the fact that she’s carrying precious cargo in that beautiful, round tummy of hers?
“Like a million bucks,” she answers as I slowly ease her back into an upright position. “Now, who’s ready to get this party started?”
“I love planning weddings,” Mother says, accepting her drink from Vance.
“I’ve never done it before.” Vaughn stares at all the paperwork scattered across the table. “So, you’ll have to point me in the right direction.”
“Vaughn, you haven’t done anything before.” I rib my youngest brother and pull Olivia’s chair out so that she can sit. “But pay attention because someday you’ll be able to use these lessons to your advantage.”
“He’s right, son,” Mother says, giving me a sly smile. “After all, I still have two wishes left with that genie.”
While confusion runs rampant across the table, I find myself smiling brighter than ever.
Here’s to the rest of our lives together, in harmony.