Epilogue
Let It All Work Out
Tinsley
One Year Later
Double came around to my side of the truck, opened the door, and helped me out. “You good?” he questioned, looking at me critically.
“I’m good.” I rubbed my swollen belly gently. “He’s good. It’s getting late. Let’s do this.”
He took my hand, and the two of us walked up the front stairs of the new construction home we’d closed on three days earlier.
The house was custom built from the exterior facade to the backyard.
When we were deciding how it should look, I was drawn to the beauty and grandeur of the Greek Revival style, but Double nixed that idea right away.
He said those homes were too reminiscent of the plantation homes in the South.
I let him have that, and we settled on a gorgeous Craftsman-style home.
The two-story, twenty-seven-hundred square foot home was still unfurnished, but we would take care of that in a few days.
I’d been working with both Lyric and a professional designer to pick out furniture and accessories for the house.
Lyric’s specialty might have been clothing, but she understood my sense of style.
She was a big help in making decisions. Still, for what Double and I were at the house to do, it was best that the home was empty.
It was a tradition on Iredia to do what we called The Anchoring of a home—where the owners would go room to room, pronouncing affirmations, hopes, dreams, and prayers over each space. It was said to ground the family’s future into the very foundation of the property.
“I love this home,” I said as I stepped over the threshold and into the foyer. I spun around, taking in all of the natural sunlight coming into the space from the huge windows.
Double wrapped his arms around me from behind, cupping my pregnant belly in his hands. “It’s where we’re gonna bring our baby home. Where we’ll probably bring most, if not all, of our babies home. It’s where we’re gonna make memories, a life, and love.” He kissed me on the neck.
I giggled, and leaned into him, enjoying how he felt holding me.
“Let’s start in the living room.” I took his hand and led him into the living room.
I pulled out my phone, and he did the same.
I had written the words I wanted to say in my notes app.
I cleared my throat, then spoke. “I pray that we have more laughter than tears but also that our tears help water new compassion for each other.”
It was a semi-open floor plan, so we didn’t have a formal dining room.
We had more of a dining space. We walked into that space.
“I pray that we never feel like we have to hide our bad days from each other, and that when you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders . . . you’ll come to me. Let me bear the burden,” he told me.
I looked up at the husband I loved so much with tears pooling in my eyes. “Ugh! Now I know I’m not going to get through this without crying.”
In the kitchen, I read from my phone. “I pray that our arguments are settled quickly and that grace is given as easily as hugs.”
He wiped at his eye. “Shit. You’re tryna take me out.”
“Are we going to be able to get through this?”
“We are.”
I was glad he was sure because I wasn’t. When I suggested that we do this, I didn’t realize how emotional I would get. We finished the downstairs, speaking blessings over the powder room, his home office, my home office, and the guest bedroom.
When we stepped into the room we’d designated as the nursery, I was already bawling.
Double pulled me into his arms. “I pray that every child we bring into these rooms knows that they were created in love, that they are a gift and never a burden, and that their parents will always have their backs, no matter what,” he choked out.
“And I pray that every child we bring into this room always feels safe in our love, and confident enough to choose their own path, even if it differs from the ones we imagine for them.”
He cleared his throat. “A’ight. Let’s do this primary bedroom then take a break. I think this might be a lot for you.”
I chuckled. “A lot for me, huh? Like tears aren’t fighting to roll down your cheeks.”
“Whatever, man.” He waved me off as we made our way into the last room we would bless for the day.
“I pray that in this room, in this house, and everywhere else, you know that even though we came together in an unorthodox way, you are never my compromise or my obligation. I chose you, I choose you, and I will choose you again and again. Forever and always.”
I sniffled, fighting to compose myself. “Okay.” I took a deep breath.
“I pray that when we close this bedroom door, we close the rest of the world out. I pray we leave the outside on the outside, and in here, it’s just Double and Tinsley.
I pray that you always feel the depth of my love for you.
And I pray that you know that I choose this house, I choose this life, I choose your arms to hold me, and your chest to bury my face in. I choose you. I choose you.”
We held each other in the silence of our home.
“It’s getting late, and I’m getting hungry,” I told him. “We should go before it gets dark.”
It was October, so the sun had started to set earlier.
“A’ight. Let’s peek at the backyard, then we’re out.”
Double unlocked the door that led to the deck. When we stepped outside, I almost had a heart attack. Basically his entire family was there on the back deck. I didn’t know how I hadn’t heard them. Several people rushed up to us, offering their congratulations on the house.
“We know you said that you didn’t want or need a formal housewarming party,” Lynne began, “but we still wanted to celebrate you guys.”
That was when I noticed that everybody, well mostly the women, were holding balloons.
“We’re gonna say our hopes and prayers for you guys in this house as you start your new life as parents, and we’re going to release these balloons as evidence of our prayers,” Mama Passion told us.
“And let’s hurry up before it gets dark, or we won’t be able to see the balloons,” Royalty added.
Big Hill started the prayers, and everybody went around in a circle offering their best hopes and wishes for Double and me.
When everybody had said their piece, Lynne did a countdown, and the balloons were released.
We watched them fly until we couldn’t see them anymore, and I thanked God that He put me in a family that loved, supported, and celebrated one another, something I’d never had before.
“Let’s go feed my grandbaby,” Mama Passion said. “If that baby is anything like my three, I know my daughter-in-law is starving right now.”
“I’m starving,” I admitted.
“Dinner’s on you, right, Big Hill?” Justus asked.
“Dinner’s on me?” Big Hill repeated. “Dinner’s on you, Just. If I had your hand, I’d throw mine away. You the big baller ’round these parts.”
Justus patted his pockets. “I’m broke, old man.”
Lucky put his finger on his nose and yelled out, “Not it!”
Everybody else followed suit, except Double.
“These mother—” Double stopped himself. “I’m feeding myself and my woman. The rest of y’all are on your own.”
“I’m payin’. Quit ya bitchin’,” Justus said. “Everybody, let me have your attention. I’m payin’ for dinner. Don’t be looking for no Christmas gifts.”
Everybody laughed as we all made our way to our vehicles.
I slid my hand inside Double’s as we walked. “Thank you for sharing your family with me. I really love them.”
“They really love you, too. But I love you more.”
“I love you most.”
The End