24. Epilogue
Epilogue
Eight years later
The sound of cheering crowds and excited chatter fills the crisp afternoon air as Matthew, Jasmine, and I settle into our seats at the sidelines of Leo’s school football field.
I balance Eloise, one of my five-year-old twin daughters on my lap, while Rose clings to her dad’s arm, pointing eagerly at the field.
“Mommy, look!” Eloise squeals, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Leo’s running so fast.”
“I see him, sweetie,” I say with a smile, my gaze glued to Leo as he weaves through his opponents, football clutched tightly in his arms.
Matthew leans closer to me, his voice low and warm. “That’s my boy. Star of the game already. Just like his father.”
Jasmine chuckles beside us, holding up her phone to record the match. “Looks like he’s got your competitive streak already, Matt.”
Matthew smirks, pride shining in his eyes as he watches Leo go. “Or maybe he’s just naturally amazing.”
The game comes to a thrilling end as Leo’s team scores the winning goal. I leap to my feet, screaming as the crowd erupts in applause. I can feel my heart swelling with pride as Leo is hoisted onto his teammates’ shoulders, grinning from ear to ear.
His eyes scan the crowd quickly, and when he spots us, most especially Matthew cradling his hands around his mouth and shouting his name, he grins, waving at us.
“He’s waving!” Rose giggles as she leans forward in Matthew’s arms, waving back with the same enthusiasm, while Eloise claps her hands together.
As the celebration unfolds, the announcer’s voice booms over the speakers, acknowledging the Pierce Football Foundation for sponsoring the event. Matthew sits straighter, his arm slipping around my waist as the crowd cheers for the initiative he worked so hard to build.
“You’ve built something incredible, Matt,” I whisper, resting my head on his shoulder.
“It’s for them,” he says, glancing at the kids, his tone filled with quiet determination. “Every kid deserves a chance to chase their dreams. Including ours.”
I smile, my hand slipping into his as warmth fills my cheeks. I’ve done this before but telling him I’m pregnant again still feels like a fever dream.
“Speaking of ours…” I hesitate for a beat, my nerves giving way to a rush of joy. “I have something to tell you.”
Matthew turns to me, his brow quirking with curiosity. “What is it, babe?”
“I’m pregnant,” I say softly, the words like a secret gift I’ve been waiting to share. “I felt weird, so I took a test yesterday and lo and behold. Another mini-me.”
For a moment, he’s stunned, his green eyes that I love so much wide with surprise.
Then, a grin so bright it rivals the sun spreads across his face.
He stands abruptly, taking Eloise from me and handing the twins to his sister, before lifting me up in his arms, spinning me around as I laugh in surprise.
“You did promise me an entire football team,” he teases, his voice thick with emotion.
I giggle, my hands clutching his shoulders as he steadies me. “Well, I’m working on it.”
Jasmine groans playfully, shaking her head as she watches the scene. “You two are impossible.”
Matthew sets me down gently, like a flower in a field of thorns, his hands lingering on my waist. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Hailey Pierce,” he murmurs, his voice filled with love.
“And you’ve made me the luckiest,” I reply, blinking back happy tears as I lean in to kiss him. The cheers of the crowd and the laughter of our children fill the air around us.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my lips, pressing kisses all over my face as he presses me to himself. “I love you so much it hurts.”
“I love you,” I murmur, and this time I let the tears fall. As usual, he’s quick to catch them with his fingers, glistening like pears on his skin. “I love you, Matthew. You’ve changed my life and for that, I’ll continue to love you for as long as I breathe.”
The End.