Epilogue
Mila
Two months later
Gathering the last of the plates from the table, I head for the kitchen. Kash and I have been in our home for about a month now, and everything has settled enough that we had our entire family over, both sides.
The day I got out of the hospital, Kash asked my parents to pick me up.
He sent my mom an address to bring me to and honestly, I was relieved he had found another place so quickly.
I let Kate rent out my old apartment above Twin Roasts.
She’s amazing. Since I’m out of commission for a while, she’s really taken her new manager role head-on.
She and Joelle were both promoted. We’ve been busier than ever, and I try to help when I can, but it’s hard to mix dough and batter when your arm is in a sling; plus, pregnancy makes me sick at the worst times.
The address Kash sent was in the same area as Emma’s, and I thought maybe we were going to lunch, but, as it turns out, my sneaky husband bought a house behind my back. I can’t really be mad because it’s beautiful.
He took my dad on a tour of each room, while Mom and I sat in the fenced-in backyard planning out the perfect gym set for my kids. Things have been tense between them since Mom made him apologize to Kash.
“I won’t apologize because I didn’t do anything wrong,” he told her, using a line from Kash’s own playbook.
“It’s fine.” Kash held his hand out to my dad. “We do what we need to, right?”
They shook hands and since then, it’s like they’ve reached an understanding. Mom wasn’t happy about me not having a wedding with everyone, but I assured her it was what I wanted. I even shared the photos with her and promised we’ll do something after the baby is born.
Kash bought a cute, split-level house with four bedrooms and a large backyard.
There’s already a hammock between two trees, and a space for my garden.
All the rooms are spacious with beautiful, hardwood floors, but the kitchen is my favorite area.
There’s tons of counter space, and an island in the middle.
Kash had the appliances updated before we moved in and bought an amazing new oven.
Hands cup around my stomach, halting my movements. “What do you think you’re doing, Mrs. Malone?” There’s a slight bump under my shirt, and he takes every opportunity he can to feel our Sprout grow.
Kissing Kash on the cheek, I gesture toward the sink. “I’m cleaning up.”
“I can do that later on. You should be resting.”
“My arm feels fine, Kash. I can do things, you know. Besides, you’re no better than me,” I point out, gesturing toward the boot on his leg. I’m thankful Bri didn’t break it. The fracture is bad enough.
“I’ll do them,” Mara cuts in, grabbing the plates from me. “Go sit down, Kash. You already monopolize my sister’s time as it is. I never see her anymore.”
“Well duh, that’s because I come first now. You should sit too, Sunshine. Baby Sprout demands you take a break.” He kisses me softly, rubbing my stomach.
“I already got her a stool. She’s fine. Bye, Kash.”
Scowling at her, he mutters, “Meanie Mara,” but goes to join everyone else. His brothers are in the backyard with my parents and Emma, and I welcome the quiet moment with my twin. I haven’t been around a lot lately, and I suddenly feel bad.
“Sorry I haven’t been a good little baker elf lately.”
Shaking her head, Mara smiles, then hands me a plate. “I forgive you, even though your husband has the most ridiculous nickname for me. Who would have thought that by Cora taking some job at a tattoo shop, our lives would become this.” Her head nods toward the window where everyone else is.
Mom and Dad are talking with Kash, gesturing to something in the backyard.
Atlas has his grip firmly around Cora’s growing stomach.
They found out she was pregnant shortly after their wedding but didn’t want to say anything with all the crazy stuff going on.
It looks like we’re going to have our babies pretty close to each other after all.
Mara glances down at my stomach then back to the sink. “Does it feel weird?”
“Does what feel weird?”
“Knowing that you’re someone’s wife and soon-to-be mom.” She emphasizes the last word, drawing it out.
Tilting my head, I think about it. I search for any weirdness, but I don’t find any. All I feel is happiness. “Nah. I’m really happy, Mara. Although, I am disappointed about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I always thought you, me and Cora would do it all together at the same time. Get married, have babies and all that. I wanted to experience it all with you.”
Mara’s quiet for a few minutes, and I regret the words. Mara isn’t even seeing anyone right now, and here I am, shoving my happiness in her face.
“Mar—”
“Yeah, about that,” she interrupts, clearing her throat. “I think there is something we’re going to experience together.”
Looking at her in confusion, I grab her hand, stalling her dish cleaning. “What are you talking about?”
Her eyes drop to my stomach, then she grabs my hand, placing it over hers. My brain takes a minute to catch up, but then my eyes widen.
“Holy shit, Mara. Are you pregnant?” I all but shout.
When she nods her head, a lone tear trails down her cheek. “I’m about eight weeks in. I found out when you were in the hospital, and I’m so scared, Mils.”
“Don’t be scared. It’ll be okay. I’m here for you.” Pulling her in for a hug, I squeeze her tightly and kiss the side of her head. Leaning back, I make her meet my eyes as I touch her stomach. “You’re going to make an amazing mom, Mara.”
She lets out a shaky breath before nodding and giving me a watery smile. Covering my hand with hers, she laughs. “I just can’t believe I’m pregnant, you know?”
“You’re fucking what?” Whirling around, I find Rhett standing in the kitchen, eyes bouncing between Mara and me. His gaze zeroes in on my hand that’s resting on her stomach.
Mara steps back from me as Rhett stalks toward her, an unreadable expression on his face. My ‘never falters under pressure’ twin sister suddenly seems unsure as he demands,
“Answer me, Mara. Are you pregnant?”
The End....