Epilogue
SYDNEY
SIX YEARS LATER
Setting the last dish in the cabinet, I glance over the pristine kitchen with a sigh. Done.
There’s a reason we only have a pasta picnic once a month and each time, we alternate whose house becomes the crime scene. You’d think covering everything in cling wrap and even offering full coverage bibs would keep the chaos somewhat contained, right?
Wrong.
No surface stands a chance when someone decides to try and recreate the scene from Lady and the Tramp. It only took one meatball, rolling a little too far and a touch too fast.
My stomach still aches with every breath from the full-body fit of laughter at watching my older brother crawl after the rogue spaghetti topping.
He refused to walk like any other sane person would, claiming he was staying in character and it’s creepy when dogs walk on their hind legs. I don’t think any of us will ever forget his howl of victory when he finally caught it.
But it wasn’t just my cheeky brother and his refusal to act his thirty-four years of age that really did my poor kitchen in.
It was the four “puppies” that chased after him with their own sauce covered… paws.
By the end of the night, there were makeshift dog bowls scattered amongst the smudged prints littering the floor. And how a noodle found its way onto the ceiling, I will never know.
But through all the chaos and mess, it was and will always be one of my favorite nights spent with our friends and family.
My back and knees right now might not agree, but that’s what I have my husband and his magical hands for.
Shadow whines and I toss the final rag into the bin before going over and sliding the back door open for him.
Folding my arms tight around my middle, I stand in the threshold and let the cold February night seep through my thin jumper.
Tipping my head back, I close my eyes and breathe in the crisp air.
High pitched giggles filter throughout the house and I smile. Dropping my head back down, I lean my head against the doorframe and watch as Shadow frolics through the light dusting of snow covering our lawn.
Whistling, I call him back inside and wipe off his paws before making my way through the kitchen. After turning out the lights and making sure each of the doors and windows are secured, I make my way upstairs.
The soft baritone voice leads my way towards the cracked door at the end of the hallway. I tiptoe on socked feet, holding my finger up to my mouth as if the dog knows exactly what I’m telling him.
“So the princess helped the prince escape, and side by side, they defeated the evil haunting their lands.”
“Did they get married?”
He hums. “They did. In fact, it was right here.”
“Here?”
“With the help of some very special people, they turned the prince’s once barren home into a magical land. There were flowers everywhere, even in the princess’s hair on their wedding day.”
“Wow,” she draws it out in awe. “What else happened?”
“Well, they went on an adventure together.” I hear the rustle of bedsheets before he speaks in a quiet tone. “But little did they know, they didn’t come back from the adventure alone.”
She sucks in a breath.
“It’s nothing scary, sweetheart,” he chuckles. “They came back with a little surprise who became their entire world eight months later.”
I take a chance and creep closer to the door, peeking through the crack. A heartwarming smile tilts my lips as I watch him tuck a dark curl behind her ear and boop her nose like she loves.
“So they lived happily ever after?” she asks.
“The happiest ever after,” he confirms.
She beams and snuggles into his arms with a yawn. “I liked that story, Daddy.”
“Me too, baby. It’s actually my favorite.”
“Of all time?”
He chuckles and tilts his head in thought. “Well there’s one more that I might like just as much, but I wouldn’t have that one if it wasn’t for this story.”
“Why?”
“Because there are no rainbows without a little bit of sunshine after the storm.”
I bite my lip when her face scrunches in concentration, looking so much like a mini version of her father in this moment. Brows furrowed, eyes slightly narrowed, and lips pinched tight.
I love it. On both of them.
A heartbeat later her face softens and she looks up at him. “Daddy?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Why do you call Mummy sunshine?”
He shuffles down the bed, his large body barely fitting in the too small space. “Well, just like the little prince from the story, my life wasn’t always easy. It was quite dark, actually.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy.”
My heart cracks at the sweetness she’s always carried. My little girl has always worn her heart on her sleeve. For only being five, she’s so empathetic with everyone around her. As my husband likes to point out, he loves two small girls with big feelings.
“It’s okay, sweetheart, because I had your mummy. She was the sunshine that scared away the shadows trying to pull me under. She saved me.”
“I love Mummy.”
He smirks, and the hard lines of his face that he carried for almost his entire life are nowhere to be found. “I love your mummy too.” She yawns again and he sighs. “Okay, my sweets, it’s time to go to sleep.”
I dip my chin and smile at Shadow as he waits for the telltale call.
“Doe-boy!” a sweet, tired voice calls out from the bedroom. His ears perk and he immediately takes off, trotting into the room.
Her giggles are quickly swallowed by another yawn and Lawson chuckles. “Sweet dreams, baby girl.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
My eyes lift to the door as it creaks open and he slips out into the hallway. Turning to face me, he leans against the opposite wall with a tilt to his lips.
“What story did you tell her tonight?” I ask, tilting my head.
“The best one. The story of us.”
I tuck my lips and push off the wall. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I hum when he immediately envelops me in his warm embrace, dipping to run his nose alongside mine.
“It is a rather good one, yeah?”
“It’s my favorite one.” He sighs, bending down and burrowing his face in my neck. “And sometimes I can’t believe it isn’t a story at all. That I’m actually here, holding you in my arms after tucking in our little girl for bed.”
“You know what I can’t believe?”
“What’s that?”
I pull back and lift one of his hands between us. “How good this shade of pink looks on you.”
He chuckles and holds out his hand, wiggling his fingers. “I think it’s some of her best work. There’s more polish on my actual nails than skin this time.”
I smile and link my fingers with his. “Can I confess something?” He hums and I catch his dark eyes. “If someone told me all those years ago that we would be here right now, I would have thought it to be a cruel joke.”
His eyebrows furrow and I reach up, running my thumb over the offensive divot. “Not like that, love. I would have thought it to be a form of torture because how dare someone dangle what I’ve always wanted but never thought I could have in front of my hopeful heart like that.”
His arms tighten around me and he presses his forehead against mine. “It may not have been the smoothest of roads to get here, but there’s no one I would rather have riding as a passenger.”
I snort. “A car analogy… really?”
He smirks, shrugging. “You know who I was when you fell in love with me.”
“I did. I do. And you, Lawson Moore, are the only one I want sitting in that driver’s seat.”
A low chuckle rumbles through his chest and he leans down, kissing me softly before speaking against my lips. “God, I love you, sunshine.”
“And I love you, my dark prince.”