Epilogue
LAYLA
Eight years later…
I waddle into the living room once I’m sure the kids are in bed. I find Archer crouched quietly in the corner of the room, pink balloons and streamers looming over his head.
“How’s it going out here?” I whisper, ambling up beside him.
He looks at me over his back, the biggest smile lighting up his face in the dark. “I think everything is ready,” he whispers back. His eyes move to the wooden rocking horse with the big pink bow around its neck. “Do you think she’ll like it?”
I set my hands on his big, tense shoulders, squeezing and massaging. “I think she’ll love it.”
He takes my hands, kissing my knuckles as he rises to his feet. “Can’t lie. That kid makes me nervous.” He chuckles. “You know Little Miss is a bossy queen with a taste for the finer things in life.”
“Your fault for spoiling her rotten,” I scold him. Then I grin. “In any case, I’m confident that this rocking horse will meet all her expectations.”
It’s painted a glossy shade of pink with stars on its saddle and a crown on its head. I don’t think we could go wrong with that. And the fact that her dad and big brother poured so much effort into building it will only make her love it more.
Archer and Sky adore that sassy, little girl. I can’t tell which of them spoils her more. When it comes to Luna, Archer’s protectiveness has definitely rubbed off onto Sky. Our boy won’t even let a mosquito fly near his sister. I pity the fools who will try to date Luna Brighton in the future.
But what touches my heart the most is how Sky models everything Archer does. I know he’ll grow up to be such an amazing man. Because Archer takes his role as a father so seriously.
My husband is kind, patient and understanding. He spends so much time with our kids, he corrects them in the most loving ways when they go off track and he never leaves any doubt in their minds as to how much he loves them.
But maybe the best thing about raising children with Archer Brighton is getting to show them how we are crazy about each other. Sky is getting to the age where he gets annoyed with how sappy his parents are with each other. He gets embarrassed whenever we show up, hand in hand, to get him from school. But deep down, I know it makes him feel secure, knowing that his family is rock solid.
Every day, it’s so apparent that finally letting Archer love us is the best thing I could have ever done for Sky and me. Life before Archer is a distant memory, although every now and then, I get flashbacks to the constant anxiety and instability I used to experience every day.
But whenever those ghosts pop their heads out of the grave, I crawl into my husband’s arms and he instantly brings me back to a place of peace and serenity. Nowadays, everything is solid and stable and secure in my life.
That’s why I’m so excited to be expanding our family even more in this little house with Archer.
Well, the house won’t be so little in the near future. We’ve got some guys from Hartley-Montgomery-Jones Construction coming by next week to explore how we can make the place bigger. Archer is considering tearing down the library and extending the house so we can add another two or three rooms.
I don’t know—I’m hoping we can find an alternative that doesn’t include saying goodbye to the library. We have so many great memories in there.
But if that’s what we have to do for our growing family, so be it.
Staring lovingly at me, Archer’s hands drop to the sides of my bulging tummy. “How are you feeling tonight, Belle?”
I’m only halfway through, yet I can already say that this has by far been my most challenging pregnancy. But for a very obvious reason.
“A little uncomfortable,” I confess, feeling bad for complaining. I know how lucky I am to have this life. “But I guess that’s to be expected. After all, there are three little humans tussling for space in there.”
Archer grins, leaning in to kiss my face all over, all over. “My poor Belle. Do you forgive me for putting three babies inside you at once?”
I laugh. “I think I’m still in shock that we’re having triplets.”
Archer shrugs a corded shoulder. “What can I say? I’m a Brighton. Of course I have super sperm.”
I see his point—he’s the manliest man I know. Maybe all that testosterone has a compounding effect or something? Plus, he does have twin brothers so I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised to be carrying triplets.
Still, I roll my eyes at him and his massive ego. “Super sperm is one thing. Triple-strength sperm, I was not prepared for.”
Together, we laugh.
I like teasing him about this, but Archer has been his amazing self throughout this process, making sure that I’m as cozy and taken care of as possible every step of the way.
“You realize this is happening because I love you so much, right?” he says. “I can’t help but spread that love around as much as possible. My sperm understood the assignment.”
“Somehow, that logic makes sense to me.” I smile. “And I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited. I can’t wait for this next step in our journey together.”
Whispering back and forth in the middle of our living room late at night, I kiss him and he kisses me back. We’ve been together for over eight years, yet somehow it all still feels exhilarating. Like teenagers sneaking around after curfew. I’ll never get tired of him.
The past few years have been a real adventure. Raising two children and running the hardware store. Plus, I finally went back to school. When I mentioned that I regretted never getting a college degree, Archer insisted that I should make it happen.
Next thing you know, I was working on a business administration degree. He was my biggest supporter through it all. I did my courses online and he was with me every step of the way. Picking up the slack around the house. Taking care of the kids. Hiring staff to replace me at the hardware store.
When we finally had enough money saved, Archer insisted on buying out Darius’s stake in their partnership. Now, my husband and I run Hammers and Hardware as business partners. But if you ask Archer, he’d say that I’m his boss, since I’m the one with the fancy degree.
My degree is hardly fancy. I got it from an online school no-one’s ever heard of. But given my chaotic beginnings, I’m so very proud of myself.
And more than that, I love that he’s so proud of me.
“Tell me what I can do to make you more comfortable tonight,” he demands softly.
I think for a moment, then I say, “Hot chocolate by the fireplace?”
We have a new jigsaw puzzle we just started working on. Maybe we could make some progress on that tonight.
He’s already backing away toward the kitchen. “Coming right up, Belle. Anything else?”
I tap my chin. “And maybe some jelly beans—only the yellow ones…and a few saltine crackers…with jalapenos and cream cheese and maybe some Hot Cheetos, if we have any...And some blueberries. For vitamins and all that stuff!” I can’t be held responsible for these insane pregnancy cravings.
Archer looks at me like I’m crazy. But he nods anyway. “Anything for you, Belle.”
I grin.
“Go. Get off your feet. Wait for me in the library. I’ll be right there.”
Archer starts to walk away, but I call after him. “Babe, wait.”
He stops, spinning back around and hurrying back to me. “What is it?”
I wrap my arms around him once more. “I’m so glad it’s you and me, Archer. There’s no one else I’d rather be doing this life with.” I bury my face in his chest and press a kiss to his pounding heart.
He lifts my jaw, searching my eyes. “I’d still be doing life all alone if it weren’t for you, Layla. I love you so much. And I’m so fucking grateful for you.”
“Oh, baby. I love you, too.” My arms tighten around him. “Thank you for this beautiful life you’ve given me and our babies.”
Oh my goodness! We’re at the end of the Brighton Family Series. I cannot believe it and I don’t know how I’ll ever get over this family. I’m so happy that you allowed me to share this journey with you!
Thank you so much for reading Beautiful Thing ! I hope that Archer, Layla and Sky touched your heart in a very special way.