14. Epilogue

Elena

I wake up groggy and realize it's already eleven o'clock in the morning. When did this become a thing? Me taking naps in the morning. For the past few weeks, I've been dealing with some kind of stomach flu that won't let me keep any food down.

Thankfully, Evie spends most of the day at Sandy's house, where she's formed a daycare of sorts for kids who aren't ready to go to school yet. Sandy and her sister Karen run the place with an iron fist. Evie loves it there, and they've been helping me with her even after hours until Hunter can go pick her up.

I hate being sick and have had to turn away a new client because of it. So, I sit down before my laptop and do what I've been avoiding for too long: I search for my symptoms. Of course, the first thing that comes up is pregnancy, but Hunter and I have been together for two years, and it hasn't happened for us.

It has been scary to think that I might not be able to give him more children, but I decided to let things run their course. If it happens, it happens. I shut the lid on the laptop and need to immediately run to the bathroom.

I haven't eaten anything this morning, so there's nothing in my stomach to come out. Dry retching it is. I decide to take control of my situation and get myself into the shower. After I've showered, brushed my teeth, and dried my hair, I sit back down on the couch.

There's some ginger ale and a package of saltines on the coffee table. I guess Hunter left those for me. I nibble on a cracker while I open up my laptop again. I feel better now, so I might just take advantage of what little energy I have left.

The hours fly by, and I'm surprised when the door opens, and the loves of my life come inside.

"Hey, I missed you guys."

Hunter places Evie in my lap and gives me a gentle kiss on the lips. He glances at the remnants of the food he left for me and appears to relax.

"Are you up to playing with Evie a bit so I can take a shower before dinner?"

"Sure, babe."

He gives me another kiss and goes into the bathroom. I hear the shower start and wish I was feeling sexy so that I could shower with him. Hopefully, once I get over this bug. Three weeks is too long. I really need to go see a doctor.

Hunter comes out of the shower and sits down on the floor with Evie.

"Did she tell you about her day?"

"Yeah, seems like things are hopping at Sandy's daycare. So much drama."

He rolls his eyes at me and plops something in my lap. I pick it up and freeze. It's a pregnancy test.

"What's this?"

"You know what it is."

"It's got to be a stomach flu or something."

"Those go away in a few days. You've been suffering for three weeks. Besides, you're late."

He couldn't have counted, could he?

"You counted?"

"Elena, you're my wife. Of course, I counted. Go and take the test."

I want to get up, but my body is not cooperating.

"It's been two years," I say, trying to give myself some time. The box is back on my lap.

"Then go to the doctor."

I pick up the box again and open it. I try my best to read the instructions, not realizing that my hands are shaking. Hunter sits down beside me on the couch and puts an arm around me.

"I don't know if I'm more scared of it being positive or negative."

"This doesn't change anything."

"It changes everything, Hunter."

He grabs the instructions from my hands and takes the box away.

"Then I'll get rid of this."

I reach out and grab his arm as he stands.

"Wait! I'll take the test."

He turns back to me and hands me the box. I manage to get up and head into the bathroom. Once I've peed on the little stick, I leave it on the sink and open the door. Hunter is standing there with Evie in his arms. He shows me that he's started a timer on his phone.

I go back into the bathroom, lower the toilet lid, and sit down. It feels like an eternity for the damn timer to run out, and I jump when it starts making noise. I pick up the stick and look at the result. Pregnant. It says I'm pregnant.

Holding up the stick for Hunter to see, I wait with bated breath for his reaction. His eyes are gleaming, but I think he's waiting for my response, too. I smile brightly and give him and Evie a big hug.

"You're going to be a dad again, Hunter Granger!"

"Oh god, I'm so glad you're happy about it. This is such a blessing."

He kisses my forehead, and we move into the living room. I'm emotionally exhausted and just want to cuddle with my husband. Hunter puts Evie down on the floor, and she starts to draw and paint in one of her notebooks.

I'm sitting here, looking at her, knowing she'll be an amazing big sister. Oh my god, I'm pregnant. Hunter sits down next to me and pulls me into his lap. I don't resist and immediately wrap my arms around his neck.

"Our family is getting bigger, wife."

"Yes it is, husband."

His phone buzzes in his pocket. He looks at it and sighs.

"My crew wants to know what the test said."

"They know?"

"Everybody knows, Elena. This is a small town."

For the first time, I don't care because I know they will all help us celebrate this joyous news. I pull Hunter's face to mine and whisper against his lips.

"I love you, Hunter."

"I love you, Elena."

The kiss he gives me makes my toes curl and heats my blood. After our daughter goes to bed, we'll celebrate in private. I'm so thankful for my family. I'm the luckiest woman in Hope Peak.

Hunter and Elena celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary with some steamy outdoor activities in this bonus scene.

Hunter's new friend Fletcher from the bar is hiding out in the mountains to avoid a curvy beauty he's obsessed with. Read all about it in My Devoted Mountain Man .

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