Epilogue
Sitting in the backyard,the sun shining down on me, kids laughing and running around—this was the life I’d always wanted for them.
For me too, but mainly them. I wanted to know that my brothers and sisters were happy, healthy, and in a place where they could let loose and be kids. Leaving our mom, letting the kids be surrounded with a new place, new people they could count on. It’s what was meant to be. The last seven months had proven that.
To see them smiling, being silly. It was the best present a girl could ask for.
Today had been the last day of school, so they were celebrating with popsicles and water balloons. Casey and I were laughing at the guys. We were both safe under the shade tree. Baby Paisley was in her arms, sound asleep. How that kid slept through the noise this crowd made, I would never know.
Tripp and Phoenix were getting the snot pelted out of them with the water balloons. They’d duck, run, and as soon as they came up to toss their own, bam!
“You’d think two soldiers could out-maneuver kids!” I called out, laughing harder when Phoenix got beamed in the head by Kenny.
Now I knew good and damn well they were letting the little ones get them with the balloons. Laura, Kenny, and Penny were delighted that they could whack them. Dean and Rosie however… Well, they were finding this water fight a little unfair.
Maybe I should go help them? I put my drink down and grinned at Casey.
“I think it’s time to even the odds a bit for the older kids.”
“Girl, have fun.”
Twenty minutes later, I was the only dry one in the yard, other than Casey. I walked back to the chair, smug as all get out.
“You know, that was a little uncalled for.”
I smirked, looking up at Phoenix. “Why, sir, whatever do you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean.” He stalked closer.
I hopped up out of the chair, my eyes darting to the yard. Where was everyone? My eyes narrowed.
“River, come here, love.”
Um, hell to the no. I knew that tone. Laughing, I took off running. That was my mistake. As soon as I was away from Casey and the baby, the water hoses came out. I got a jet of cold water right to the face. I shrieked, laughing as I tried to see where I was running.
He caught me, those big arms coming around my waist. The second my feet left the ground, I knew I was done for. I went lax, allowing him to scoop me up fully. His mouth claimed mine.
Together we would be able to take on the world; together we would make it tremble beneath our feet.
When he pulled back, I grinned.
“Yesterday, today, tomorrow…I love you.”
“To infinity.” He smiled and pecked my lips.
To infinity and beyond…that sounded about right to me.