The Nature of Love (Love in the Spotlight #3)

Epilogue

FIVE YEARS LATER

“Cheyenne! Ashlynn! Let’s go!” I shouted.

I tapped my foot as I waited for the girls to come upstairs. Chris had already stowed their suitcases in the car, so that was an item crossed off my list. Still, they were taking their precious time coming to the door.

“Mom, Ash took my earbuds.” Cheyenne came running up the stairs, a pink backpack on her shoulders.

My ten-year-old was gangly and reminded me so much of how Ellynn used to look. When she’d first called me Mom, I’d had to keep the waterworks under control until I had a quiet moment alone. A slight pang hit my chest, but I took in a deep breath and blew it out. You’re always in my heart, sweet sis.

“I did not!” Ash came running after Cheyenne. “Daddy won’t let me have my own, so why would I take yours?”

Ash looked like a perfect blend of Asher and Ellynn and had the same wild hair Cheye had at five years old.

Chris walked up the steps and stared at the two girls bickering. “What’s going on?” he asked, sliding an arm around my waist.

I leaned into him, loving the fresh scent that clung to him. I wanted to turn my nose into the crook at his throat and settle in there forever. Instead, I placed a quick kiss there.

“Gross. They’re kissing again,” Cheyenne whispered, not quietly at all.

Chris leaned down and placed a soft kiss against my lips. “Give them something to ew about.”

I laughed, wrapping my arm around his neck.

“Come on, Mom. Please stop,” Cheyenne begged.

I pulled back and looked at her. “Kissing your husband is the best thing invented.”

“Sure.” She rolled her eyes. “My earbuds?”

“Cheye, don’t roll your eyes at your mother. It’s disrespectful.” Chris’s tone was stern, but I could hear the love in his voice for our girls. “And I have your earbuds. I placed them in the car when I loaded it up earlier.”

Relief sagged her shoulders. “Thanks, Daddy.” She hugged him around the waist, then ran to the car.

Ash walked toward us. “ I want earbuds.”

“Are you responsible enough to not lose them?” Chris asked.

“Uh-huh.” Ash nodded.

He pulled a little case out of his pocket. “I’m trusting you, Ashlynn.”

“Thank you, Daddy!” She grinned and hugged his legs.

We walked outside, and Chris pulled out the keys and locked the front door. “Ready for some fun?”

“So ready.”

I couldn’t wait to see the gang all together again. We’d taken to doing annual vacations together. Each year, we picked a different place, ensuring it was family friendly. Cheye and Ash always wanted to come. They adored the fact that Lamont was a famous actor and that Tuck and Piper regularly made the news as Derby-winning trainers.

Of cour se, Chris still had his YouTube channel, which continued to grow. Now he showed how families could help animals and the earth, and sometimes the girls got to be in a video with him. Ashlynn loved it more than anything, but Cheye was already hitting that preteen stage where she liked to pretend we didn’t exist at times.

I buckled my seat belt as Chris started the car and backed out of the driveway. Soon we were at the airport, and then we were up in the air. This time we’d agreed to meet at Disney World. The girls were super excited, having never been. Chris and I were excited to see friends again as well as experience the magic of Disney.

After the plane landed, a shuttle from our hotel picked us up, carting us and the luggage. We quickly checked in. I jumped in the shower, needing to wash the travel off me. By the time I got out, the girls and Chris had changed. I grabbed my cell, stopping the playlist and opening a text message.

Erykah

We’re here.

Piper

Yay! Want to come to our room? Nevaeh’s already here.

Erykah

The whole crew?

Piper

Yep

“Chris, they’re gathering in Piper and Tuck’s room. You ready?”

“Definitely.” He turned to the girls. “Come on, ladies. Let’s go see everyone.”

“Can I hold the baby?” Cheye asked.

“I don’t see why you can’t. Make sure you listen to instructions, ’kay?” I said.

We walked down the hall and knocked on the door at the end. Lamont had managed to get us all rooms on the same floor.

Piper opened the door, holding her six-month-old daughter in her arms. “Erykah!”

“Oh my word. She’s so precious,” I gushed. “Can I?”

“Of course!”

Chris and I had tried to get pregnant for a couple of years, but nothing happened. We then agreed that the girls were enough, and I put the dreams of having a baby away. Didn’t mean I didn’t love the chance to hold one. Remy was such a cutie.

“Where’s Quade?” I asked. Besides the baby girl, Piper and Tuck had a three-year-old son who kept them on their toes.

“I think he’s playing with Faith,” she said.

“Can I hold Remy too, Ms. Piper?” Cheye asked.

“Of course, Cheyenne. Why don’t we sit so you can hold her more easily?”

I transferred the baby to Cheye’s arms, then looked around the living space. The guys had already gathered in a corner, laughing. Judging by Chris’s expression, they had just teased him. Ash sat in front of the TV next to Faith, Lamont and Nevaeh’s daughter. Quade and Monty—actually Lamont Jr.—were in another area crashing their trucks into each other.

“I’m so glad we could all meet up. This is going to be an awesome vacation,” I said.

“Better than Niagara Falls?” Piper asked.

I laughed. “Well, at least drier.”

“Hey, Erykah.” Nevaeh walked out of the kitchen area and came to sit on the couch with us.

We hugged.

“Your twins are getting big.”

She grinned. “I know. I equal parts love it and want to keep it from happening.”

Cheyenne gave Remy back to Piper, then went to go stand by Chris. She was a true daddy’s girl, even if she wanted a little independence now.

“I so know what you mean. I can’t believe Cheye is double digits now.”

“She’ll be graduating from high school before you know it,” Nevaeh said.

“I hope not.” I looked at the kids, then turned to the ladies. “Are y’all planning on having more kids?”

Piper shrugged. “We don’t really have a plan. We’re seeing where God leads.”

“I like that.”

“Me too, girl. But I’m a slightly neurotic parent, who knew?” Nevaeh chuckled. “Having the twins wiped me out, and I’m not sure I’m ready for what a second round of pregnancy could bring.”

I could totally understand that. Nevaeh’s pregnancy with the twins had been rough. She’d been hospitalized a couple of times to get her the nutrients her body lacked.

“What about you?” Piper asked. “Are you and Chris still convinced you don’t want to have any more? Not even through adoption?”

That was a great question. We’d ended up adopting Cheye and Ash because they wanted to have the same last name. But adopting another kid hadn’t even entered my radar until earlier this year. “Actually, that word keeps popping up in my mind lately. I’m not sure if we’ll go that route, but I’m listening to whatever God wants to tell me.”

“Well, you already know you’re great parents and have a huge capacity to love,” Piper commented.

I watch ed Chris. Knowing him had enriched my life in so many ways. He’d taught me to love with abandon, and God gave me the courage to do so. Maybe adoption could be something we considered.

“I’ll pray about it.”

“We’ll pray for you too,” Nevaeh said. She sighed. “Lamont gets better looking every year. It’s not fair. He’ll probably go into his forties and fifties without anyone knowing he’s aged. Meanwhile I’ll—”

“You’ll be beautiful,” I interrupted. “Remember the Bible says beauty is fleeting. The fact that we all love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul means we radiate His light, and that is a beauty money can’t buy and cosmetics can’t emulate.”

“Preach, Dr. Erykah.” Piper smirked.

“Oh my goodness, you smirked just like Tuck,” Nevaeh said.

My mouth dropped. “Yeah, you did.”

“Well, they say eventually you’ll look like your significant other.” Piper shrugged. “I figure growing hair on my chin will be the next step.”

We laughed, and our conversation morphed to the effects of aging.

Soon we were loading up our families as we left the room in search of food. I wasn’t sure what would happen in my future, but I thanked God for giving me friends who had become family. They would walk this journey with me and be there in a minute if I needed them.

Thank You for always seeing and hearing me. For knowing exactly what I need before I even do. I love You , Lord.