Epilogue
Adilene
One year later
Shaw remained true to his word. We spent our time getting to know each other through proper dates, fun trips, and adventures with the kids. And after four solid months of dating, Shaw asked me to be his girlfriend, officially.
Two months later, he moved in, tired of paying rent on a cabin he wasn’t often at. Most nights, he ended up in my bed after we became official, so why pay two rents when we can focus on joining our lives and maybe upgrade to a bigger place?
Which was exactly what we did. Last night, we signed papers on our new cabin, the log design being hand-built by the construction crew in town.
We even had planned for a custom in-law suite for my mother.
Her own little place right next to ours.
They should complete it by spring, and we should be able to move in by June at the latest.
We chose to go with a five-bedroom cabin, giving our family room to grow.
In addition, we have an office on the first floor, along with a guest room, separate from the five-bedroom total.
And we would have a finished basement, a family entertainment room with a bathroom attached.
We opted to add a large pantry in the custom kitchen, and a big eat-in kitchen would expand into the dining room.
We added the laundry room to the main bathroom on the second floor, and I was looking forward to that the most. No more trips up and down the stairs with heavy loads.
The kids were beyond happy, their faces lighting up whenever we talked about their new rooms. How one year had changed our lives so much, I would’ve never imagined, but here we were, on a completely different path, and one I thought I’d only get to dream about.
Today was Christmas Eve, and like always, I was out shopping for last-minute gifts. But this time, my boyfriend accompanied me, and I tucked my wallet safely in my purse.
We shopped and laughed, deciding on what to cook for dinner, as we wanted to make new traditions for Christmas Eve.
As we walked through the grocery store and into the meat section, I browsed the ribeye steak when suddenly, a sharp wave of nausea came over me.
I covered my mouth and looked around for the nearest garbage can as my lunch made its way back up my throat.
Oh no.
Meat never grosses me out.
Except when I’m pregnant.
“Adilene, are you okay?” Shaw took my arm, his eyes wide.
I shook my head and made a beeline for the trash can next to the deli, my stomach emptying itself. People mulled around us, staff coming over, as Shaw rubbed my back and whispered to me it would be okay.
“Can someone grab her some water? I’ll get her outside,” Shaw said to someone beside him as I dry heaved more.
When the nausea passed, I stood straight, Shaw wrapping an arm around my shoulder as he pressed a napkin delicately to my lips.
I leaned against him as he helped me exit the store, abandoning our cart in the aisle.
“What’s wrong, angel? Are you okay?” He asked as we got outside, the fresh air instantly helping me.
“The meat…it made me nauseous. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Here, have some water.” He handed me the bottle, and I sipped slowly, the cool liquid relieving the burn in my throat. “Does that always happen?”
I shook my head and looked away. Damn birth control. Why didn’t it work for me? I tried to be careful. What if this scared him away? Shit, was I even ready for another child? Lolly only just turned three.
“What is it, angel? You can tell me anything. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I let out a deep sigh. “It only happens when I’m pregnant.”
A look of confusion passed over Shaw’s face, but it was quick and fleeting. Then his face broke into a large smile, his eyes lighting up as he looked at me. “Does that mean…does that mean…?”
“Yes, Shaw. I’m pretty sure. I’ll have to take a test to confirm, but—”
“Oh my God, angel! This is so great! I’m going to be a dad. You’re going to be a mom again. We’re going to have a baby!” Shaw cried, and he lifted me into his arms, spinning me in circles there in front of the Appleridge market, with many people watching us.
“Whoa, not too much spinning,” I said through giggles, my nausea forgotten as I became overtaken by his reaction.
“Sorry. I’m so excited. I love you, angel. I love you so fucking much.” Shaw kissed me over and over, not caring that I just threw up my lunch.
“I love you too. So, so much.”
“Marry me, angel. Please. Be my wife.”
“Yes, a thousand times, yes. You and me. Forever.”
THE END