Epilogue
Four Years Later – Jenny
I snuck away and sat down at the kitchen table, a thick slice of sourdough bread slathered with strawberry jam waiting for me.
Thank you, Deacon.
Picking up my pen, I began.
Dear Ansel,
You once said time waits for no one. How right you were. So let me catch you up.
If you’d been here, I would have had a traditional wedding just so you could walk me down the aisle. Without you, that held no appeal. Instead, Deacon whisked me away like a (grumpy) prince from a fairy tale.
We got married on the beach, just him and me. It was beautiful and romantic and exactly what I wanted.
Without telling me, Deacon sent a few pictures to his parents. His mom texted back immediately and said I made a beautiful bride.
That was the start of our new beginning.
They’ve been good to me. It still surprises me sometimes, but I think that may be on me more than them.
I see now why Deacon idolizes his father. His family is everything to him, but he holds his wife above all. I admit it took me a while to see it, but that’s how Deacon grew up. And I’m reaping the benefits.
Aaron’s health has improved with a new diet and less stress. That and a boatload of vitamins and tinctures Maria brings home every week.
He doesn’t argue. Much.
It took them a while to work through their pain, and the first few times we got together, it was awkward.
But they were kind.
And when Annie came along, the past melted away.
Speaking of, I set my pen down, stood up, and crossed to the fridge. I pulled out the lasagna Maria prepared for us for dinner tonight. All I had to do was put it in the oven. I turned the dial on the stove to pre-heat.
They were coming here tonight and were staying once we put Annie to bed so Deacon and I could meet the others at The Loose Moose.
Over the years we came to a mutual agreement that she would handle dinner when we got together, and I would handle bread and dessert.
Unless it was chili night. She loved my chili.
I sat back down and looked back over my letter before continuing.
You would love Annie. It’s impossible not to.
She looks like a little princess but swears like a sailor. You should see Darlene’s face when we take her to visit.
Last time we were there, she threatened to paddle Deacon’s ass. Those were her exact words.
She’s getting a little frail, Ansel. Deacon worries about her, but she says she’s ready to go. Says she’s got a threesome situation she needs to work out. Deacon’s ears turned pitch red. It was hilarious.
No need to tell you that Abby and Hannah adore Annie. They still talk about you all the time. And they still give me trouble for racing Darlene’s wheelchair down the hallway.
Annie is fascinated with Darlene, and we visit often.
And I always bring her favourite cookies for you.
We named Annie after you, well, as close as we could get.
Deacon calls her Babycakes, says she’s the sweetest thing I ever made.
And get this, her best friend is Baxter and Maggie’s little guy, Bennett.
Who would ever have thought?
A blood-curdling scream pierced my eardrum. It was closely followed by frantic barking and the padding of little feet.
“Momma! Her’s getting mine samwitch!” Annie burst through the kitchen door, her dark curls bouncing around her heart-shaped face.
With Deacon’s dark hair and my blue eyes, she was a miniature fairy princess.
Until she opened her mouth.
Miller thought it was a hoot.
Baxter was frantic because Maggie was mortified.
Bennett kept telling them to ‘fucking get a room’ every time he saw them kissing. He heard Deacon say it once. One time. Their older son, Corwin, loves it. I had no doubt he encouraged it.
Probably practiced with him when Maggie wasn’t looking.
Turning to frown at our dog, Annie muttered, “Bloody hell, Herb. Mine samwitch!”
I snickered though I should have corrected her and watched as she took a bite then tore off a piece for Herb.
She took off running once more and the screaming recommenced.
I returned to my letter.
We got a dog!
She’s a cute little thing, spotty and scruffy and Annie’s best friend.
Turns out Baxter and Maggie’s dog Jeff wasn’t gaining weight, she was growing puppies. She had a small litter of four puppies, and we got the only girl.
Needless to say, she’s now fixed.
Baxter named our puppy Herb, and Annie wouldn’t let us change it.
Baxter laughs every time he sees her.
We see Baxter and Maggie a lot along with Miller and Maxine and the rest of them. Maxine is still my champion. And my best friend. Though I love Maggie, Vera, and Julie just as much.
Deacon is good with all of them, though I still see a pain in his eyes sometimes when he looks at Baxter.
A regret.
I see it in Baxter, too.
Perhaps it’s something they understand in each other.
The front door opened. A few seconds later, Deacon’s big boots hit the floor, and he swung into the kitchen.
His eyes lit up when he saw me. “Hi, pretty girl.”
I tipped my chin back. “Hi, pretty boy.”
He growled and dropped a kiss to my mouth. “Did you talk to Bax about finishing the basement?”
I nodded. “All set. I met him at the hardware store and picked out my paint and trim.”
He nodded, a small frown on his face. “Good.”
I smiled up at him. “Grumpy bear.”
He growled playfully and kissed me once more.
“Daddy?” Annie called from somewhere in our small house.
He grinned at me and stroked my cheek with his finger before going to find her.
I sighed, those butterflies never failing to show up when my husband came home.
I twirled my pen through my fingers and continued.
We bought the house Deacon showed you, and we live there still. It’s plenty big for the three of us, and I have no wish to move.
Ever.
We’re getting ready to finish the basement into a giant playroom. I wanted it to be a mancave for Deacon, but he insisted on a playroom.
Though he does plan on a big screen TV for when he’s ‘stuck down there playing Barbies.’
That’s a sight I wish you could see.
My cell phone lit up with a call. Checking the display, I picked it up. “Hey, Libby.”
“Hi, Jenny,” she answered shyly. “I have a request.”
A quiet girl, just out of high school, she was a whiz in the bakery.
“Shoot,” I replied.
“Would it be okay to stay past three? Not for overtime,” she rushed to explain. “There’s a recipe I wanted to try, and, well, it’s just easier to do it here than upstairs. And I’ll reimburse you for the ingredients.”
“Go for it,” I replied. “And don’t worry about the ingredients. Just be sure to lock the front door and put the closed sign up.”
“Will do. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I put down my phone and picked up my pen.
Buns and Biscuits is doing well, and I hired a young woman who bakes like a dream.
Her parents moved away, but she didn’t want to leave Moose Lake. She rents the upstairs apartment.
Maybe I can give her a little head start. Her dream is to become a cake decorator. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be expanding.
You made my dreams come true, maybe I can do the same for her.
Speaking of dreams, Deacon bought the airfield and set up his flight school. He’s heavily involved with the Cadets, and I’ve never seen him happier.
There’s a little lounge attached to it he called ‘Charlie’s Place’ in honour of the friend he lost.
Deacon smiles all the time now.
He even got his mom to go up with him though his dad won’t be swayed.
Annie toddled through the kitchen; the remnants of her sandwich squished between her fingers.
“Hi, Momma,” she trilled, lifting her arms up to be picked up. “I put Daddy nap.”
I rolled my eyes. Naptime. Deacon’s favourite game.
“Hi, Babycakes,” I murmured, setting her on my lap.
She lay her little palm on my face. “I going for a baff.”
“Good idea. Tell Daddy and he’ll take you, okay?”
“Bloody hell,” she grumbled, climbing off my lap. “Him gets supoo in mine eyes.”
“Annie,” I admonished. “Do we say, ‘bloody hell’?
She looked at me and considered. “No. Only me and daddy.”
God help us when she went to school.
I snorted out a laugh as she toddled back out screaming, “Daddy! Bafftime!”
Life is good, Ansel. It’s sweet.
Some might even say epic.
“Daddy!” Annie’s big voice filtered down the stairs. “There’s a Hairy fucking Larry in the potty!”
I left the kitchen and ran to the bottom of the short flight of stairs. Centipedes always made for good entertainment.
“Is it in the water?” Deacon’s big feet hit the floor as he bounced off the bed and pounded toward the bathroom.
“Him swimming,” Annie confirmed.
“Flush!” He yelled. “Flush it down, baby girl!”
He walked out into the hall with Annie dangling under his arm like a sack of potatoes. “Bloody hell, I hate those fucking things.”
“Bloody hell,” she echoed.
“Shush, kid. You’re going to get me in trouble.”
“You trouble,” she echoed.
He flipped her around and pressed his face into her little belly until she squealed. “You’re trouble!”
I moved away from the stairs, a happy sheen over my eyes, and returned to the kitchen.
The sound of splashing and laughter filtered down the stairs. There would be a mess of bubbles and water everywhere, but the sound alone was worth it.
I sat down on the couch to take it all in.
I was blessed, blessed beyond belief.
Fifteen minutes later, Deacon brought Annie downstairs in her footy pyjamas, her freshly shampooed hair slicked back from her little face.
“What do you think, Mommy?” He held her out for my inspection. “Does Babycakes smell good?”
I wagged my eyebrows. “Good enough to eat!”
She squealed and kicked her feet to be put down.
While Deacon set her up with her magnetic tiles, I slipped back into the kitchen and sat down.
Deacon walked into the kitchen and plucked me from my seat. “I deserve a reward.” He sat in my chair and put me on his lap. Pressing a hard kiss to my mouth, he grinned. “I vanquished the Hairy Larry.”
I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and smirked. “I heard. Seemed like Annie did most of the vanquishing.”
He frowned at me. “She swears a lot.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know.”
He winked. “You should do something about that.”
Leaning in close, I whispered, “Like make you wear a ball gag?”
“Don’t push me, Jenny.” His eyes darkened, his big hand patting my butt. “You know what happens when you do.”
“Oh, I know,” I assured him, a secret smile on my lips. “I went shopping.”
His eyes lit up. “Yeah?”
“Mhm. With Maggie and Maxine.”
His eyebrows flew up. He always knew when I gave those two free rein. Their choices were apt to give him a heart attack.
His lips curved into a wicked smile. “You going to show me later?”
“If you’re a good boy,” I murmured.
“You want another spanking, baby?” He grinned, that long dimple showing me just how happy he was as he added, “Not that it was much of a punishment.”
“I’ll tell Darlene,” I threatened with a wide grin. “She’ll paddle your ass. Her words, not mine.”
He dipped his chin, a smirk dancing on his lips. “You’re cruising.”
“I know.” I laughed and climbed off his lap. “Get out of here and let me finish this.”
He stood and held my chair out for me and tucked me back under the table. “Hurry up and get her to bed so I can finish you,” he growled.
I grinned up at him, knowing the longer I held him off, the better my punishment would be. “Your parents are coming for dinner and then we’re going to The Loose Moose.”
“Bloody hell,” he grumbled, falling into the chair beside me.
I laughed and picked up the pen.
Tonight, we’re having dinner with Aaron and Maria, then we’re meeting the gang at The Loose Moose.
I’m happy, and I owe so much of that to you. I miss you every day.
And I don’t hate the rain anymore.
Sometimes I even make my own.
Love, Jenny.
I signed off with a flourish.
P.S. I wish you were here.
***
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