Epilogue
I came up the stairs, wondering why Theo hadn’t started crying yet. He was due to be fed. I heard a voice coming from his room.
I stood at the door and peeked in. Jackson sat in the rocking chair. He held Theo in his arms. Our tiny six-week-old infant looked miniature in my husband’s big arms.
Jackson talked to him.
“So, this is a really important book that I’m going to read to you. My mom read it to me when I was little, and now I’m going to read it to you. It’s about a family of bears. Little bear, he lives in a home with his mom and dad, just like you. And he gets up to lots of adventures. Just like you will too.”
Tears clogged my throat.
Sensing me, Jackson looked up and smiled. Theo, in his infant wisdom, stared blankly at the ceiling.
“Looks like he’s completely engrossed in your story.”
Jackson’s smile was wide. “We haven’t got to the good part yet.”
I stepped in and walked across the room. “What is the good part? ”
“Well, Mother Bear finds the best outfit for Little Bear when he goes outside in the snow to play. And she also helps him find a great outfit when he flies to the moon. And she has a lunch waiting for him when he gets back.” Our eyes met. “And she never forgets his birthday.”
“No, she never will.”
He reached out and grabbed my hand. “Alien lucked out when he got you as his mom.”
“Yeah, well, I think we both got lucky when we got you.”
He kissed my hand. “Time for him to eat?”
“No rush. You read that story. I’ll be in the bedroom.”
I started to walk out.
“Hey,” he said, as I reached the door.
I looked over my shoulder. “Hey.”
He paused for a moment, looking at me. “I love you. You know that?”
I could feel my smile take over my face. “Yeah. I know.”