Epilogue
Lukas
The last six months have been a whirlwind. The most important thing that happened is Emmanuelle and I got married. Married. She’s finally my wife and now we’re waiting to meet our baby. She’s due any day now. I’m scared and excited. I’m going to be a daddy.
And the guy I met that owns the old-timey movie theater, Mark. We struck a deal with my popcorn—we send him five cases of mixed flavors every week. He said it sells out in two days. It keeps all of us super busy and we’ve even hired a few high school kids to come help us. It’s been going really well. They help us after school and weekends. But they have to keep their grades up to keep working with us. Plus, they get to take home popcorn.
Graínne and Caitríona are coming this week, along with Juliette, to be here with Emmanuelle when she gives birth. Everyone’s so excited to meet our baby.
“Ugh. Your child is stubborn already,” Emma grumbles as she joins me in the kitchen.
I laugh and give her a kiss, then kiss her belly.
“Come on baby, we all want to meet you,” I say to her belly.
“Ouch.” Emma laughs as we watch the outline of a foot appear on her belly.
“I think baby said they’ll show up when they’re good and ready.” I laugh.
Emmanuelle
This year has had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Marrying Lukas and having Luke was the best part. I’ve started seeing a therapist for the kidnapping. I thought that I could handle it myself. But I started having panic attacks. Then that led to me yelling and getting angry at Lukas. Now that I’ve been going to therapy, things have been so much better. I still get them, but not often at all. And life has been a lot better for everyone.
Our son was born a week ago and I’m so in love with him. He looks exactly like his daddy and he’s named after him—we call him Luke. Graínne, Caitríona and my maman came the day before he made his grand entrance. And they’re planning to stay for a few more weeks. All of our family in Lake Renegade will be coming in groups to meet him. My family will be here soon too. My papa can’t wait to get here to meet his grandson. He calls us to video chat everyday.
I can’t wait to see what the rest of our life is going to be like.