Epilogue
RILEY
THREE DAYS LATER
“C ome on, look at what we did. How can you say you don’t wanna do it again?” Sawyer leans over me and strokes our little girl’s cheek while I feed her.
“I’m not saying that I don’t wanna do it again. I’m just thinking that maybe we should wait until she’s out of diapers before we think about having any more.”
“Nah, we do this far too good. I think we should have at least five.”
“ Five? ” I laugh at him, handing her over to him when she’s finished, so I can tuck myself away.
“You could just leave ‘em out, ya know. Give me a turn. They say you should teach kids to share from an early age.” He smirks at me before turning his attention to her. “Looks like you put her in a milk coma with all that good stuff.” She’s fallen asleep and looks adorable lying in his hands.
“So, about these other four kids you're gonna give me.” He looks up at me and smiles.
“I’ll settle for three,” I offer.
“Three, then we’ll reevaluate,” he comes back at me. “Come on, you know I’m a good convincer.”
“I’d go more with manipulator. You knew exactly what you were doing when we made that pact.”
“Yeah, and look how beautiful it turned out.” He looks down at our daughter. “Daddy had to make a deceitful pact to get you here, and he’s got no regrets,” he tells her.
“You're unbelievable.” I shake my head and roll my eyes.
“Why, thank you. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard those words before, probably while we were making her.”
I laugh at him and rest back on the couch. They say new moms should sleep when their babies do, but I’m still on such a high. I feel like I need to look at her constantly to believe that she’s actually here.
We both look at the door when we hear a knock, and sigh. It’s great that so many people in Clearwater Creek care, but I’m so done with visitors.
“I’ll get it.” Sawyer hands Lily back over to me and heads off to answer it, and I’m a little shocked by the person who steps inside a few seconds later.
“This is Agent Stephanie Collins,” Sawyer introduces her.
“I know, she was my boss's boss back when I worked for the bureau.
“I’m sorry to bother you at such a precious time.” Agent Collins takes a seat on the couch after Sawyer shows her in. She takes a second to admire our little girl and smiles. “I just wanted to call in and congratulate you. The raid on the timber yard was successful; seven women were rescued, and all three of the Gendry brothers and Michael are currently in custody.” I start to cry when the relief of her words overcomes me.
“Sorry, it’s just, I’ve waited a long time for this and… hormones.” I clutch Lily a little tighter.
“I know how you feel, I cried for weeks after each of mine were born, sometimes you want to cry just looking at them.”
“Been there.” Sawyer takes the seat beside me and carefully lifts our little girl out of my arms.
“I wanted to assure you that, given all the evidence we retrieved, no bail will be granted and that anti-corruption has opened a case.”
“That's exactly what I needed to hear,” I tell her gratefully.
“I know it’s not something that you're thinking about right now, but if you ever did consider coming back to the bureau, there would be a place for you,” she tells me.
“I appreciate that, but I’ve found my home here.” I look over to Sawyer and watch how he holds Lily out in front of him and brushes their noses together. She’s only been here three days, and already he’s proving that he’s an amazing dad.
“I’ll leave you to your family.” Agent Collins stands up, and when I get up and see her to the door, I’m surprised to see Jamie Sullivan walking up my path.
“Agent Collins.” He nods at her politely as they pass one another, and when he stands in front of me, I’m surprised by the gift he offers.
“I take it you didn’t come here to see the new arrival.” I pull the pink teddy bear out the bag.
“Figured this was the best place to find Sawyer. He hasn’t been answering his calls. He smiles as I move out the way and let him through.
“Is there any way we can talk in private?” he asks, looking sketchy.
“Anything you got to say, you can say in front of her, we don’t have secrets.” Sawyer doesn’t take his eyes away from his little girl.
“I just wanted to know what you wanted done with…We still?—”
“Are you sayin’ Jack’s still alive?” I interrupt when I realize what he’s trying to get out.
“Yeah, he’s still alive.” Sawyer stands up and places Lily back in my arms. “I wasn’t gonna let anyone else kill him.” He looks a little sad as he places a kiss on my cheek. “I’m gonna be gone a few hours, ya want me to ask Maddison to come sit with ya?” he tells me, knowing that I disagree with what he’s about to do…or at least thinking that I do.
“We’ll be fine,” I assure him. This will be the first time we’ve been alone together since she came, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
I watch him pick up his keys and head back toward me, leaning down to kiss Lily’s head before placing one on my cheek, too.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, before following Jamie out the door.
“Sawyer!” I call out to him and look back down at our beautiful, baby girl.”
“You give him hell,” I tell him, watching as the wide grin spreads all the way up to his eyes. He marches back toward me, taking my face roughly in his hands and kissing me.
“You can count on it.” He heads out the door, leaving me and Lily alone.
“That’s your daddy,” I tell her, carrying her through to the bedroom so we can try and take a nap before the next Clearwater Creek resident arrives.