Quit Me If You Can

Epilogue Kennedy

ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER

I open another box full of toys, which Novalee notices instantly and starts reaching for. At almost a year old, she’s beginning to walk and already becoming quite the handful. She’s such a blessing and adds so much to our lives. I didn’t know we could be even happier than we were.

We hadn’t been actively trying, but we weren’t exactly being careful, either. When I saw those two pink lines on the test I took in Harper’s bathroom on a late spring afternoon, my heart skipped a beat.

Harper’s reaction, when she glanced down the stick, was priceless. With a smirk and a knowing glint in her eye, she congratulated me and said, “If there’s anybody who can pull off being a hot AF lawyer and a mom, it’s you.” I couldn’t help but laugh and nod in agreement. Harper has a knack for saying just the right thing at just the right moment.

When I shared the news with Cade, his face lit up. He talked about tying the knot, but I insisted we wait at least until we were settled in our new country house, and until I was accepted into the school I’d been eyeing for years. So, that’ll be a while. Cade, being the loving man he is, doesn’t want me to rush into anything. He understands the importance of my dreams and my ambitions, and he wants me to pursue them wholeheartedly, without any pressure from him. After we got back together, I returned to working part-time at Cade’s firm, but even with my belly starting to show, he never once suggested I become a stay-at-home mom. And I couldn’t love him more for that (sorry, Dad, but not every guy is looking for a woman to stay home baking cookies. Love ya!). Instead, Cade fully supports me, and I know I can keep chasing my dreams and go after my goals without getting bogged down in motherhood. Or anything else.

Cade’s faith in me only strengthens what I already believe about myself. Even though I’m not lacking in the self-esteem department, it’s still incredible to have his unwavering trust in who I am and what I can accomplish. He pushes me to be better, always encouraging me to reach for the stars and never to settle for less than I deserve.

At the same time, he loves me entirely, flaws and all.

With Cade at my side, I know I can have it all: a loving family, a fulfilling career, and the best man a girl can dream of. For that, I’ll be forever grateful. And there’s no doubt that one day (once we say “I do”) he’ll be the perfect husband. But until that day comes, I’m luxuriating in the love he gives me every day.

“Raff, Mommy, raff,” Nova begs, opening and closing her pudgy little fingers.

“I don’t think we packed any rafts,” Cade quips, coming into the room with another armful of boxes.

“She wants her giraffe,” I tell him, turning back to her. “It’s in here somewhere, Nova. Mommy will find it just as soon as she can.”

After acquitting myself quite well on the LSAT, I’m staying home with Nova until she’s old enough for us to feel okay about sending her to daycare or preschool. And until I get accepted into the perfect, best law school. I’ve been accepted to plenty of schools, but somebody who knows the field better than me insisted that, with my test scores, I should set my sights higher. Which is exactly what inspired our move to Massachusetts, where Cade has already opened a branch office for his firm. There’s just one piece of the puzzle missing: a certain letter from a certain law school that’s playing hard to get.

“Have you checked the mail?” I ask Cade. “The post office said that everything should start being forwarded any day now.”

“I think I saw the mail truck on the street a little while ago.”

My pulse quickens.

Scooping up Nova, I wait for his arms to be free so I can hand her over. Once he has her, I race outside. I yank open the mailbox door, delighted at the sight of all the envelopes stacked inside, each with one or both of our names printed on the front. Finally, it’s our own mail in the mailbox, instead of the previous homeowners’.

I flip through the envelopes anxiously, reminding myself that it could still be a few weeks before I get the one I’m hoping for. But lo and behold, three envelopes in, I see the crimson and white logo I’ve been dreaming about.

“It’s here!” I shout, realizing nobody can hear me from out here. So I take off running inside, shouting even louder, “It’s here! It’s here!”

Cade is as cool as a cucumber when he comes into the room with Nova. We huddle around the kitchen table as I stare at the envelope that holds the long-awaited answer.

“Are you going to open it? Or are you just going to keep trying to read it through the envelope?”

Prying open one edge, I stop. “I think I can’t do this without a drink.”

“Good thinking,” he says, grabbing the bottle of bourbon we’ve been saving for this very occasion. With it uncorked, I take a quick sip from the glass he poured for me and tear into the letter.

Dear Ms. Hayes,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been offered admission to Harvard Law School for the upcoming academic year.

We believe you will thrive in our rigorous academic environment and contribute significantly to our vibrant community of scholars. We look forward to welcoming you to Harvard Law School and witnessing your future accomplishments.

Please accept my personal congratulations on this outstanding achievement.

I read it to myself first, then again aloud for Cade to hear. I’ve got to read it a third time for it to really sink in.

“You got in!”

“I got in,” I murmur, then repeat it louder: “I got in!”

Cade lets Nova slide down to the floor as he leans over to kiss my forehead, then pulls me into his arms. “You seem surprised? Didn’t I tell you you’d get in?”

“Well, yes, but… you’re biased.”

“My letter of recommendation holds some weight, even at Harvard,” he argues.

“It holds a lot less weight now that we have a child together. Because everybody knows you’re biased.”

“Nothing got you in but you, babe. They know a good future attorney when they see one.”

I toss back the rest of my drink and hold out my glass to Cade for a teensy bit more. It’s a celebration after all. It calls for a bit of whiskey, but not too much. “This is it. Finally. I’m going to Harvard Law School!”

My heart swells with pride and satisfaction, and it feels great mixed with the warmth of the bourbon sliding down my throat.

“Raff! Raff!” Nova calls out.

“All right, sweetheart.” I stare up at Cade with a smile. “I guess even Harvard Law students still have to find their children’s raff.”

“I’ll find it,” he says. “You stay here and have a moment with your letter. It’s your night. I’ll cook something special for dinner too. Or we could get a sitter and go out. Whatever you want.”

I smile wide as he leads our baby around the house to hunt through the boxes for her stuffed giraffe. Novalee, called Nova for short, has a combination of two names: Nova (which means new, in addition to bright star), and Lee, which comes from Leah, my mother’s name, as well as my grandmother’s name. It’s perfect. She’s perfect.

Cade’s brother, Joey, was one of the first to congratulate us, Skyping in at just the right moment to wish us the best. When I handed the phone to Cade after I spoke with Joey, he thought I had left the room.

Little did he know, I caught every word. And every double entendre.

“Bro, good for you! Congrats! So, you looked through her briefs and gave her the stiffest sentence possible!” Joey chuckled.

“Thanks, bro!” Cade laughed, as if he’d never heard a lawyer joke before.

“But you forgot to withdraw ‘the case’ at the last minute! Get it, get it?”

Oh, men and their lawyer jokes. It was funny how Cade’s little brother tried to give him a hard time. Yet, beneath all the teasing, it was evident how much they love each other.

“Okay, brother, don’t push it, or I’ll come out there and kick your ass.”

“You’re too much of a pussy to come out here. Those five hundred dollars an hour you make are turning you into a soft cuddly bear,” Joey retorted.

“Oh, not anymore, bro! It’s $1,800 an hour now.”

“Damn.”

A few weeks after finding out (and before the rumors kicked in), we’d decided to share the news with the firm—his second family, as he’d called them. He wanted everyone who’d been through so much with him to hear it directly. At the end of the usual Tuesday morning meeting, Cade casually walked behind my chair and put his hands on my shoulders. “There’s also some personal news I’d like to share. Kennedy and I are expecting.”

The room fell silent, then burst into cheers. Carmen was the first to rush over, pulling me into a hug, soon followed by the rest of the team. Even Soren came up to me. A rare grin softened his usual serious expression.

“Congratulations. I’m hoping for a girl,” he told me.

“Why a girl?” I asked.

“We’re going to need two of you to keep that man of yours in line.”

Honestly, my heart swelled a little at that. When I mentioned to Soren that I thought I’d done a decent job keeping both Cade and him in check all on my own, he smiled, and we officially became friends.

Soren even made a point of publicly apologizing about his attitude regarding the Mary Larkin case, loud and clear for everyone to hear: “By the way, congratulations on the Mary Larkin case, Kennedy. It’s… humbling to admit when one’s assumptions are proven wrong, and your diligence in advocating for her has certainly done just that as far as I’m concerned. Your perseverance has not only secured a victory but also challenged my own perspective. Well done.”

Yep. My jaw dropped, straight through the floor, and I didn’t care that all of Cade’s instruction on maintaining the perfect poker face flew out the window. And when Soren handed me the bonus check a few months after the case wrapped up, oh boy, I must have looked like Erin Brockovich at her finest, eyes wide and utterly gobsmacked.

Which is a bit how I feel today, staring at the acceptance letter in my hands. “It’s crazy how life unfolds in the most unexpected ways,” I mumble. But then again, Cade and Nova are living proof of that, too.

“Oh, baby. One more thing,” he calls out, coming back into the kitchen. “I forgot to go over this with you.”

“Go over what?”

He holds up a small blue box. “I found this old thing when I was packing up for the move.”

I squint. “What is it?”

He comes over and stands there for a moment before dropping down to one knee.

Holy shit.

Is this really happening? Do not cry.

“Many years ago,” he rumbles, “I bought a ring to propose to the woman I loved more than life itself.”

“Cade,” I gasp. Tears fill my eyes.

“But I messed it all up. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of the ring, and I’m glad I didn’t. Because today, I’m here in front of that woman I still love more than life itself.” He opens the box to reveal the most perfect diamond ring. “Kennedy Hayes, love of my life, mother of my child, the one who tolerates my endless lawyering, the woman who came back to me and proved she makes all the right decisions,” he winks, “will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Nodding and laughing through happy tears, I answer him without hesitation. “Yes, I will,” I sob.

He slides the ring onto my finger and enfolds me in his arms.

“But wait.” I take a little step back, raising an eyebrow at him. “Are you just asking me to be your wife because I got into Harvard?”

“Yep, that’s the sole reason,” he fires back. “That, and because this box got too heavy in my pants all the time I was waiting for that damn letter.”

“What if I hadn’t gotten in?”

“I would have made your day better by proposing.”

“You would have made my day. My month. My life.”

“That’s a relief. Because, baby, the best part of my life will always be you.”

I feel every word, every letter. More tears spill down my cheeks.

Watching the ring sparkle, I hold my left hand up to the light. I’m full of more love and hope than I ever thought possible.

“I’ll marry you, but there are a few conditions,” I tell him, tapping his nose.

“Too late, baby, you already said yes.”

I ignore that. “First, Harper has to be my maid of honor. Second, I want to pick the wedding location. And third, you know my mom’s going to want to plan everything else. We’ll have to indulge her.”

I grimace a little at the last part. Mom has been waiting to plan my wedding for as long as I can remember. I only hope I don’t end up in an elaborate puffy dress. Nope. That’s where I’d have to draw the line.

“That’s it? I don’t have a problem with any of that.”

“Well, you don’t know my mom as well as I do when it comes to weddings,” I say. “Think Momzilla instead of Bridezilla. You’ll see a whole new side of her. It’ll best to nod and agree. Ask my dad.”

“Kennedy, as long as we’re getting married, I don’t care what your mom plans. Hell, if she wants me in shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and a pair of cowboy boots, I’ll show up with a smile on my face.”

“Seriously? No way!” I blanch. “She wouldn’t. I’d die. Can you imagine? I’m not going to be really particular about it, but shorts and cowboy boots? Imagine that next to me in a puffy dress? Looking like the Michelin man next to a cowboy? Yeah, that’s a no, Cade. Don’t be getting any wild ideas either. If I see you conspiring with my dad, just remember, I know where you sleep.”

I reach around his middle to fake a hug and tickle him instead, making him laugh out loud. Why not? This is almost the best day ever. The day I became a mom was the best. Today? It’s second.

Nova runs past us, happily playing with her giraffe.

“I always knew we’d make cute babies together,” he comments, looking every bit the proud father. It melts my heart.

I playfully swat his arm. “Oh, stop it, you.”

“Never. Our kid has the best of both worlds,” he says, his voice filled with pride. “She has my order and focus. Just look at her with that giraffe! But she’s all your fire and mischief, making every space feel a bit more alive and lively… just like her mom.”

“Yeah, she’s all ours,” I laugh, feeling my heart swell.

He looks at the ring on my finger. “Any other terms to this union I should know about?”

I think about it for a moment. “Oh, just a… tiny detail. If we ever start a law firm together, my name goes first on the sign and on the business cards.”

“What?” He gapes at me like I’ve lost my mind.

Pointing my fingers in the air, I envision the beautiful golden embossed letters spelling it out vividly. “Kennedy and Cade Hayes-Gladwell, Attorneys at Law.” I wink. “Sounds perfect to me, don’t you think?”

I almost fall to the floor, trying to hold in my laughter. The expression on his face is priceless.

“Cade Hayes-Gladwell?” His voice is low and husky, sending a shiver down my spine.

I nod excitedly. Oh, he’s going to get me for this one. “That’s the one.”

Cade nearly growls with a frown. “Let’s make one thing clear right now, baby girl: If that’s the story, then there is no chance we’ll be opening a law firm together. And I refuse to hyphenate my last name. We go with ‘Gladwell’ only, and that’s final.”

“You always have to have it your way, don’t you, Mr. Gladwell?” He actually thinks I was serious. God, I love this man.

He leans in close, his voice low and husky, and whispers in my ear, “You wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“Maybe I like a little challenge now and then,” I whisper back, all breathless.

“Oh, I can give you a challenge, all right. But you better be ready.”

I bite my lip, feeling the heat rising between us. I go up on my tippy-toes and kiss him again before he can say another word. A glance at the time shows it’s getting late. “Oh! Harper will be here soon. We better get started on figuring out the dinner plans. I’m going to wait and tell her about this when she gets here.” I hold my acceptance letter in the air. “I’m going to call my parents, though.”

“Go ahead. Nova and I will start dinner.”

Picking up my phone and my letter, I slip into our home office, still cluttered with unpacked boxes. My parents are delighted of course, but no more surprised than Cade was. It feels good to know that everybody in my circle has so much faith in me. Their unwavering faith is the cherry on top and lights my fire. I’m more than ready to take on anything that comes my way.

After getting off the phone with them, I stare out over our new backyard, complete with that giant red hammock Cade already threw up, and imagine what our lives will be like here. It’s a beautiful two-story colonial complete with old fireplaces, and it has a lot of potential for adding onto as our family and law practices flourish, all with a pale green color and warm yellow scheme that I feel perfectly reflects growth, togetherness, and harmony, and, let’s be real, a whole lot of joy. Once I finish law school, I plan to start a practice that I’ll run from home. Cade will keep working at his firm’s local office, which he established in the nearby downtown district. As for Soren? He’s strutting in as the new manager of the NYC office.

This area of Massachusetts has great schools, and it’s the perfect place for all of us. I’ve got high hopes for us. I think we’ll be very happy here. And Harper is only a three-hour drive away, which is perfect for weekend trips and other visits. My parents are glad that we’re close enough for regular get-togethers, and I’m all for it too. But after living in their house again for those few months—and don’t get me wrong, I love them to bits—I’m definitely ready to spread my wings and fly.

“Hello, Mrs. Gladwell.” Cade’s voice interrupts my daydreaming.

“Not yet,” I tease with a wide grin. “I’m still Ms. Hayes to you.”

“Well, Ms. Hayes, I must say, you do make me very glad and well indeed.”

That pun is actually pretty good. I laugh and smack his arm, which he responds to by chuckling and pulling me into his arms. Life is so beautiful. We slow-dance to sweet music that only the two of us can hear, gently swaying in what will be our home office, lost in each other and loving every moment of it.

The advanced degrees and fancy jobs and big houses would mean nothing without him, though they are nice perks. I’ve always thought that in life a person would have either a great career or a great love, and there were times when I feared I might end up with neither. But here I am: living, breathing, dancing proof that you can have both. And that the no-good guy who broke your heart might sometimes come back around and prove to be everything you always dreamed he’d be.

We laugh and giggle and hold onto each other until Harper shows up for her first look at our new home. When I open the door, she flies at me, wrapping me in a hug.

“God, I’ve missed you, chica! You have no idea.” She draws away and eyes the foyer with its soothing green tones that leads into the sunny yellow kitchen, briefly registering the array of bowls for our dogs, all of whom are playing outside. “This place is massive and it’s gorgeous . Wow.”

“Hey, Harper!” Cade greets her with a quick hug. “How have you been?”

Her eyes go wide. “Oh, you know. Awesome,” she says, then turns to me in a not-so-subtle whisper. “Holy shit. He’s getting freakin’ hotter. Girl . I think I’m gonna faint. I feel it coming on. The darkness is coming… Oh, god.” She slaps the back of her hand to her forehead dramatically, and I die laughing.

“You’re a goofball, woman,” I tell her, yanking on her arm while Cade fights to hide his grin. “Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the house.”

Harper blinks a few times. “All right. Guess I didn’t faint. But, you know, it was close there for a second.”

Cade chuckles and shakes his head. “Good to see you, Harper.”

“Hey,” she whispers, leaning in close to me, “does he have a brother? Good genes gotta run in that family, ’cause, dayyumm!” She fans herself and bursts out laughing. “Seriously, though. Never seen a hotter man. Oh, wait, that’s just me projecting, ’cause he finally makes my BFF stupid-happy.”

“I’m not complaining, stupid-happy is where it’s at. And he does have a brother. Joey. Looks nothing like him.”

“Thank God,” Harper says.

“He’s still hot, though.”

“Oh? Well, too bad I’m not on the market. Too occupied with work. Hey, single beats sharing my snacks any day.” Harper smiles and shrugs, then raises her eyebrow. “How hot exactly?”

I laugh. “Come on, let’s go. There’s a little one who wants to see her aunt.”

Harper’s eyes light up. “Oh, chubby hugs!”

We venture into the playroom and Harper snatches Nova up, squeezing her and kissing her cheeks. “Oh, your favorite auntie is here. I’m gonna spoil you rotten.” She pulls up Nova’s little shirt and blows raspberries on her belly, making her giggle.

Twenty minutes later, Cade’s head pops into the doorway.

“All right, time for a break, Auntie Harper. I’ll take the princess for now before she turns into a giggling puddle.” Cade saunters in while Harper relentlessly bombards Nova with raspberries and smothers her in a million kisses. “You go ahead and get settled. This little princess needs a change.”

“Aww, he even changes diapers?” Harper gasps as soon as they’re out the door, clutching her chest like she’s seen a miracle. “Girl, you hit the jackpot with that one. Sure, it took a hot minute to get there, but damn, was it worth the wait!”

I beam. “I know, right? So, what’s going on with you?” I ask as we head upstairs.

“Oh, I’ve got this promising interview coming up at an accounting firm.”

I tug on her arm to stop us. “Wait, what? Oh, Harper! I’m over the moon for you.” I wrap my arms around her neck for a quick hug. “Girl, you’re destined for greatness!”

“Well, true, but don’t pop the champagne just yet. I’m still working at Cat’s bar. Those tips are chef’s kiss , and, you know, just in case the whole accounting thing doesn’t pan out.” She smirks, flipping her hair. “Speaking of things that are doomed from the start, you won’t believe this. Gloria and Colette, yeah, the ones who work the late shift with me, dared me into a bet. Find a husband in a week.”

“A husband in a week?” I ask. “Harper! You didn’t actually agree, did you?”

“Please. Not yet anyway.” Harper lets out a little laugh. “Because chica, you won’t believe what happened—” Harper stops mid-sentence, her mouth hanging open. “Okay, hold up… What on earth is that bling on your finger, and why am I just finding out about it?”

“It’s one of my surprises for you.” I open the door to our bedroom, forgetting all about the house tour. “Cade popped the question today, and I said yes.”

“OMG! Holy shit! It’s about damn time! I’m so freaking happy for you, Kennedy.”

We collapse onto my bed, both grinning from ear to ear.

“Wow, he finally wised up, didn’t he?” she asks, smirking. “Well, I always knew he’d come around eventually.”

“You did not.”

“Oh, absolutely. Took him long enough.”

“Hey, better late than never,” I say.

“Uh-huh. So they say. Especially when it comes to men.”

“Right?” I squeeze her hand. “Now I’ve got a burning question for you.”

“Hit me.”

“You’ve been my ride-or-die through everything. Good, bad, and everything in between. You never gave up on me. You made midnight chocolate runs when I devoured our entire stash, whisked me off for yoga-and-ice-cream therapy sessions, and set up late-night Netflix with ‘Your Ex? Pfft. Check Out These Hot Hunks’ marathons to help me forget. You’re not just my best friend, you’re practically my sister.” I pause, inhaling a deep breath.

“Chica, are you gonna propose to me? Aren’t you already taken?”

“Yes, kinda.” I laugh. “But will you be my maid of honor?”

Harper’s mouth drops open, and her eyes start watering. “ Duh ! I’ve been ready for this! Absolutely, I’m your maid of honor!” She throws her arms around my neck and hugs me, her voice choked with emotion. “You know I was waiting for this moment. I freaking love you, K. This is gonna make me bawl like a baby.”

“No tears allowed,” I tease gently, returning her hug. “I love you too, and I’m so happy you’re here.” I jump up, ready to get her settled. “All right. The guest room is just down the hall, and you’re going to love it.”

Harper lifts herself up slowly, visibly touched. “Hold up, K.”

“What?”

“I’m so damn proud of you.”

I swallow hard. Then, I drape my arm around her shoulder, my voice shaking. “No tears, just pure joy, you hear? That’s the rule you taught me, remember? Now, let’s get you settled in.”

Harper nods, wiping a tear from her cheek, then one from mine. “Lead the way, chica. The therapist is in, after all. She might need to bill you extra for all this emotional turmoil, though.”

I laugh. “Fair warning: I expect a discount.”

“Deal. Now, show me this fabulous guest room.”

Harper adores her room, especially for its cozy window nook overlooking the garden and the vibrant decor in blue-ish greens and fuchsia (our favorite color), with delightful chocolate surprises tucked away just for her.

Later, Cade scoops up our little one so Harper and I can have some girl time. I love him a thousand times over for just stepping up like it’s nothing. That makes it all the sweeter.

“So, Harvard Law, huh?” Harper says, flopping onto the couch. “You’re going to be a Harvard Legal Eagle. That’s epic .”

“Yeah, it is,” I admit, a smile spreading across my face. “I’m still processing it.”

“Now, pass the popcorn, Counselor-to-Be!”

Harper and I camp out in the living room, snacking on a huge bowl of popcorn, and watching movies just like we used to when we were roomies.

The only difference is that she doesn’t have to endure my emotional meltdowns over Cade anymore. And when we finally call it a night, instead of stumbling into a cold, empty bed, I get to sneak away to Cade waiting for me in our bedroom.

In all his shirtless glory, I admire him stretched across the bed, and count my lucky stars. To think of the many nights I spent pining over him, fantasizing about him… and finally, here he is in the flesh.

I snuggle up against him.

“Together forever,” he whispers, his fingers brushing over my engagement ring.

I raise an eyebrow, pretending to consider his statement. “Oh, is that so?”

“Final verdict.”

His voice sends tingles of excitement down my spine. Exhilarating ones, at that.

It feels like all my dreams have come true in this one perfect, shirtless package of a man.

Our bond is unbreakable, and I know that I belong by his side, for all eternity.

With a joyful smile on my face and boundless love in my heart, I whisper back, “Well, I guess that settles it then.”

Before I can even blink, he is hovering over me, face-to-face, nose to nose, mouth to mouth, rumbling in his deep baritone, “Let’s celebrate our good fortune.”