Epilogue Two
Six Years Later.
“Come on, baby. You still have two more at home and one on the way; you can’t keep killing me like this.” I glare at my husband as he says this and eagerly waves goodbye to our second son on his first day of kindergarten.
“If you don’t shut up right now, I don’t know that you’ll get the opportunity to make another one,” I snap at him, and he fights to hide his amusement.
I’m six months along with what should be our last child, but sending my boys to school is hard. Especially their first days of school.
Wrapping an arm across my shoulders, Lars kisses the top of my head. “I know, sweetheart. Look at it this way: you’re such a good mama that neither of them had to be pulled from your arms like so many others.”
He’s right. I’ve prepared them for this. The twins, however, I might not have such an easy time with. Those two are clingy as heck.
“I’m just going to miss them.” With one starting second grade now and the other in kindergarten, my house will be too quiet.
“How about a triple chocolate milkshake?” my husband offers, knowing just how to cheer me up.
“Alright, but then we’re picking up Lulee. She’s lonely with Dade gone for a couple of days.”
Lars growls, hating to have our time interrupted, but Lulee and I have become such great friends. And now that the truth about her husband has come out, Lars isn’t so gruff around the other man. Although it was revealed about three years ago, Lars is just coming around to accepting it now.
“Fine. When’s he back?” I smack his chest.
“Don’t act like you don’t know every detail of the man’s life.” I roll my eyes when he tenses, obviously forgetting I can read him like a book.
“I forget how well you know me some days.” He kisses me on the lips as we start walking again. “I forget how much I like it, too.” He gives a teasing wink.
“I love you.” Emotions smack me in the heart as he buckles me into our new SUV. “I just wanted you to know how much your love and support has meant to me from the day we met, and I’m so happy you decided to act on us because I don’t think I ever would have. Not back then.”
“Awe, sweetheart, don’t cry. You’d be my choice in every lifetime.”
As our lips gently touch, I realize how fortunate I truly am. This man is larger than life, always has been, and I was a shy girl, lost in a world of death and abuse. I was na?ve to what was happening around me until Lars knocked on my door that day.
“I’d choose you too,” I say and melt a little at how he smiles at me.
I know with Lars, I’ll always be loved. The only thing I ever wanted in this life.
The End!