Epilogue
TWO YEARS AND SOME CHANGE…
S ailor
Tiny safari animals filled our backyard. Stuffed giraffes peeking from behind trees, lions lounging near the buffet table, and a parade of elephants leading toward where the birthday cake would be. If anyone had told me two years ago that I'd be hosting a safari-themed first birthday party for my son, I would have laughed in their face. Like seriously fucking laughed.
Here I was, watching River move unsteadily across the grass in his tiny khaki outfit, complete with a miniature explorer hat that kept falling over his eyes.
"Need a hand with that?" My father appeared at my side and nodded toward the stack of gifts I was arranging on the table.
"I've got it but you can pass me that tape."
He handed me the scotch tape and his eyes followed River as he dropped into the grass, giving up on the struggle to fumble through it, and crawled to his cousin. TJ and Indi's son Emerson was equally unsteady on his feet but determined to keep up with Skylynn who, at six, was taking on her role as oldest cousin very seriously. Oddly enough the Addison family had two new additions back to back. Indi and I delivered a month apart.
"She's showing them her bug collection." My father grinned, watching as Skylynn carefully opened a small container for the boys.
"Lord help us all if there's an escape. Rival just finished installing screens on all the windows. I don't think he could handle another critter invasion."
My father chuckled and I glanced at him, noticing how happy and relaxed he seemed. Retirement had softened him, or maybe it was the full-time role of grandfather, but either way he was lighter.
"You're doing good with him. With all of this actually."
I glanced up, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone.
"River's easy to love.”
"I wasn't just talking about River."
My father's gaze swept across the yard, taking in Skylar leaning down to talk to their son Camden while Gray manned the grill. TJ and Indi were setting up the drink station and Rival's mother was chatting animatedly with my mother as they arranged tiny safari themed plates on kiddie tables.
"I was talking about this—family, balance, life. You managed it all with a grace your mother and I never mastered."
“Mom did just fine,” I noted and he nodded.
“Okay, then better than I managed.”
“You weren’t that bad.”
He arched his brow and I grinned.
"I did my best but I pushed too hard and expected too much. I see how you, Skylar, and TJ are with your children. You’re present in a way I rarely was. You've all become better parents than I ever managed to be."
"Daddy—" I started, but he shook his head.
"It's not self-pity, Sailor. It's pride. I'm proud of all of you. The families you've built and the balance you've found. Especially you. I never thought you would find this kind of contentment."
"That makes two of us," I admitted.
"Rival is a good man. I was wrong about him and I’m damn sure glad you didn’t listen to me."
"Did you just admit to being wrong? Should I call for medical assistance?" I teased.
He grunted but smiled. "Don't push your luck, counselor."
A squeal of delight pulled our attention back to the children. Rival had appeared with one of many surprises he had for the kids today, a wooden safari Jeep just big enough for the three youngest kids to sit in.
"He's been working on that for weeks. Disappeared into his shop after River went to bed every night to make sure he got it done in time. I’m pretty sure he slept out there a few nights."
"He’s dedicated to both of you.”
I nodded and smiled. watching my fine ass husband lift the boys one by one to sit them in the Jeep. God, I love this man.
"I would complain about you two doing too much but that’s my grand baby.” His mother walked up beside me and playfully rolled her eyes. “This party is perfect, sweetheart!"
“Thank you. I guess I’m not too bad at this parent thing.”
My father chuckled and kissed my cheek while I watched Rival help River into the driver's seat. Camden and Emerson were beside him.
"I'm going to get some pictures of them," Diana announced, moving toward them with her phone in hand.
My father squeezed my shoulder. "I'll help your mother with that cake so she doesn’t drop it."
“She better not. I would hate to have to disown her.”
“Lord forbid,” he teased and hurried toward my mother, who was struggling with River's enormous, elephant-shaped cake. I had no clue why she’d even attempted to lift it on her own.
A familiar arm slipped around my waist and I leaned back into my husband.
"You good?" he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.
"Watching you show off for the kids? Always. The Jeep is amazing, by the way. You've officially set the bar impossibly high for all future birthdays."
He chuckled. "Wait until you see what I have planned for his fifth birthday. Treehouse with a working elevator. I have the plans sketched but it’s going to take me a while to get that done. It has to be perfect.”
"Can we please get through this one first?" I suggested and turned in his arms to face him. "Have I told you today that I love you?"
"Mmm, not since this morning. But I don't mind hearing it again."
My body blazed with the memory of this morning.
"I love you.”
“Love that you wanted my dick so badly that you tricked me into marrying you. Had you not been so determined to get me into your bed that night none of this would exist."
"Are you complaining about my methods?" I raised an eyebrow, challenging.
"Not at all," he laughed. "Your persuasive techniques got us exactly where we needed to be."
"Even if they were slightly unorthodox?"
"Sailor," he said, pulling me closer. "Nothing about us has ever been orthodox. More like your thirsty ass wanted my dick and got it by any means necessary. That's what makes it perfect."
I narrowed my eyes and he grinned and kissed me before I could deliver a comeback.
"Bruh, some of us would like to see the birthday boy blow out his candle this century!" Jairo yelled from across the yard, interrupting our moment.
"Chill, we’re coming!" Rival called back, then lowered his voice. "Remind me again why we made him godfather?"
"Because he's family and you’re a good friend.”
Rival grabbed my hand and we crossed the yard to where everyone had gathered around the picnic table. River sat in his high chair with his sweet little face more excited about the candle on top of his cake than the actual cake, surrounded by all the people who loved him.
While we sang "Happy Birthday" to our son, his little face mirrored what I felt. This was perfect. I caught Rival's gaze across the table and knew he felt the same. I couldn’t have made this up if I wanted. I was a wife and mother and loving every second of it.