EPILOGUE
“Here you are, angel.” I drape a blanket over Darcy as she sits on the terrace, watching Delilah play in the garden below. She dances around the lemon tree, which has had almost as fruitful of a year as we have.
“Thank you, husband.” Darcy kisses my hand as I wrap my arms around her from behind.
I remember her telling me how much she loved this spot and how she imagined mornings out here sipping her coffee.
We’ve spent every morning for the last five years making that fantasy a reality.
And, while recent events have forced her to switch from coffee to other warm beverages of choice, our mornings together are our favorite part of the day, aside from when we fall asleep in each other’s arms.
With my retirement and our marriage, we’ve both found second chances in more ways than one.
No more wars. No more bloodshed. No more shame or loneliness.
No more anxiety or panic attacks for her.
No more breakfasts spent avoiding eye contact or days walking on eggshells.
This love is different, beautiful, gentle, and healing.
And, while there is some lingering sadness when she thinks of the circumstances that brought Delilah into this world, the joy of finally giving her a sister has healed the last broken piece of my beautiful wife’s heart.
Because now, it’s not just our love story.
It’s Delilah’s too. A bond between sisters that will sustain her long after we’re gone. Now, none of us have to be alone.
“How are you feeling today?” I ask.
“Decided,” Darcy replies. My brows crinkle. I was alluding to nausea or lower back pain. Does she need a foot massage? Or… “Caroline. We should name her Caroline.”
Darcy grabs hold of my hand, gently squeezing it. For Cara. I walk around Darcy’s chair and kneel before her. “Are you sure?” I ask. “You don’t have to do this for me. A name starting with a D would better complement Delilah.”
Darcy shakes her head. “Our daughters will be their own people. They don’t need to complement each other. And, yes, I’m sure.” Darcy moves her hand to my cheek. “It feels right, considering if things hadn’t unfolded the way they did, you would’ve never needed a maid.”
I’d never thought of it like that. It doesn’t make what happened to Cara any easier to stomach, but it is a silver lining amongst tragedy.
In a way, the same can be said for all our happily-ever-afters—Alister’s, Damon’s, and mine.
None of them would’ve happened without a tragic twist of fate that set everything in motion.
It’s then that Darcy says, “You know, when I think of how our story began, I can’t help but recognize that it almost didn’t happen.
If you would’ve let me walk away, if you hadn’t come looking for me that night, we wouldn’t be here right now.
None of us would be.” She places her hand over her stomach.
I do the same, smiling as the warmth of her belly soothes my soul.
“Thank you for not letting me walk away.”
I shake my head, as if that was ever an option.
My soul recognized her in a way I’ll never be able to explain.
I don’t even understand it. But I don’t question it.
She is everything, everything and more. I stand, and bringing my hand to her chin, lift her face to kiss her.
But first… “Thank you for staying. Thank you for loving me, for giving me a family of my own. And thank you…thank you for making me realize there is more to life than blood and bourbon.”