Chapter 34 – Dallas – Epilogue
One year later...
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Georgia, happy birthday to you!”
Our chosen family, the Camerons, Paloma's siblings, and a few of our other friends from around town sing loudly to the adorable, strawberry blonde daughter of Wylie and Stevie as we celebrate her first birthday at Cameron ranch.
Her pudgy cheeks turn up into a smile as Stevie places a round cake decorated like a unicorn in front of her.
“Ok… let’s see if she wants a taste of her smash cake,” she says smiling.
Georgia tentatively dips one adorable finger into the icing, brings it to her mouth and makes a face before trying to push the whole thing onto the floor.
Seconds later, her slightly older twin cousins Cody and Wilder yank the cake from the highchair, push it to the floor and immediately begin rolling in it.
“Boys, stop!” Jovie yells at her wild sons as Wylie laughs loudly. Nash grabs his boys, pulling them away from the sticky, sugary mess and holding them outright.
“I’m so sorry,” Jovie says as she begins scooping up what’s left of the unicorn into her hands.
Stevie shrugs with a laugh, "I couldn't handle boys. Dallas, do you mind grabbing the sheet cake in the kitchen so that everyone can eat something that hasn’t been on the floor?"
“Sure thing,” I head into the kitchen to retrieve the much larger cake that was made for sharing. It’s a simple vanilla cake with the words ‘Happy Birthday’ scrawled on top in red icing and a couple balloons.
“Oohh now that I know you made this, I know it’s going to be good,” I state, smiling at Clay’s girlfriend, Savannah, who’s currently drawing tiny unicorn horns on the top of the balloons with her careful, steady fingers.
She smiles, “I did. I tried a new recipe that blends a bit of coconut oil into the icing to give it a little extra smoothness.”
“Sounds delicious. I’ll hang out while you finish. How are things going at the co-op?” I ask her to make conversation as I patiently watch her finish up the designs.
I've never spent a lot of time talking with Savannah before, mostly because I didn’t have the time to forge a friendship with her and partially because she was seldom around during the times I spent with Clay, which was increasing lately, and when she was, she mostly kept to herself.
“Really great. I'm getting more interest in my cooking classes and gaining followers on YouTube for the videos I'm posting online.”
“That's good. And things with Clay are going well?”
She smiles, and for a brief moment, I notice something darker lingering in Savannah's polished demeanor. Though I pride myself on being adept at reading people, Savannah seems equally skilled at keeping her true feelings hidden. I wondered if there was something going on in their relationship.
“Things are good. We’re really happy.”
I nod and decide to cut this conversation short. It’s none of my business and I really didn’t know Clay all that well. "Good to hear."
She quickly changes the subject, pointing at her finished masterpiece. "It's all set."
I head into the dining room where most of the chaos caused by the twins is now contained and set the large cake on the table. The kids cheer as pieces are passed around and easy banter flows between the families that have gathered.
A few minutes later, I’m on the floor, wrestling with the sugar-fueled twins, teaching them some simple sparring moves.
The almost two-year-olds are in the midst of launching a full out assault on me when I catch Paloma’s eye from the corner.
With effortless ease, I disentangle their sticky little hands from my body and expertly put them into a playful hold that has them squealing with delight and rendering them immobile.
“Alright, alright, give Uncle Dallas a break, please," Jovie says smiling as she separates the two twins again and instructs them to go play outside.
They dart toward the porch and down into the yard, where despite Georgia’s recent birthday, Wylie has already set up a playset complete with a slide and monkey bars. Their tiny arms pump energetically as they climb and swing through the space like little warriors.
“They are ridiculously strong for one-year olds,” I laugh, dropping onto the couch next to Paloma and effortlessly pulling her onto my lap.
“I've already started training them to help out around Ashwood. Gotta get that energy out somehow,” Nash says chuckling as he heads out to the backyard to keep an eye on his kids.
I brush my nose against Paloma's neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent.
“Do you want a family someday?” I ask.
It’s a question that I'd only started considering since I met Paloma and an answer that I knew wasn't necessary for me to be happy. I wondered if it was selfish that I didn't want to share her with children, but for me, what we had was always enough.
“Honestly, no. I've never been thrilled about the whole baby thing. I simply don’t have the desire to have children. You are my family, and you are enough. I want to savor the time we have together and don’t feel that having a child is necessary.
Families come in many forms, and my parents are a perfect example of that.
With our chosen family in Lonestar Junction, Los Angeles, and you, I feel content and fulfilled without needing to add anything more. ”
“I couldn’t put that more beautifully. I’m going to enjoy spending the rest of our years together, tinkering on Golden farm in the solitude of the Texan sun and watching you chase your dreams wherever they take you.”
She sighs and relaxes into my arms, closing her eyes contentedly. We sit in the stillness, enjoying the laughter of the children nearby and our friends' voices that filter in through the kitchen on this peaceful day together.
Yes, there is nothing more I could possibly need than what’s currently wrapped in my arms.