Epilogue
Ria
“Girls, dinner is ready,” I call from the bottom of the staircase. Faint sounds of music and laughter filter down from their bedrooms. We moved to the lake house three years ago, wanting more space for the girls to run around and knowing it was my dream house, Jack left the ball in my court as to when we made it official and moved. I love the hustle and bustle of New York, but the small-town vibe is where my heart is.
I plate the pasta dish I’ve cooked and glance up at the clock, knowing Jack will be arriving back anytime. He commutes a few days a week to check in at the clubs. The guys opened a third club a couple of years ago and they have ventured across the pond to England.
Once we finish popping out little Lawsons, we plan to spend a summer over there. I started volunteering at a local support group for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. It was incredibly eye opening how many suffer and I’d love to open up my own facility in the future when I have some more free time. I am very lucky that Anne and Steve still help out and Jack”s parents are the most incredible grandparents. Between Anne and Jayne, the girls always have a grandma over helping with baking, diaper changes and giving me ten minutes to put my feet up. We are surrounded by so much love and support it took me a little time to adjust to all the offers of help, but now I couldn”t be without them all.
I rub my heavily pregnant belly, feeling our baby girl kick. I am due in six weeks, and I am not sure how I am going to make it to my due date. I am huge! But hey, a fifth, yes fifth pregnancy will do that to you. A month after our wedding, I found out I was pregnant. We were so excited, and the girls were buzzing to be big sisters. We welcomed baby Aubrey, followed by her sister, Maddison, just eighteen months later. Two under two was not for the faint hearted. I don”t think we slept for nearly three years and just as we came out of that baby and toddler haze and content with our four beautiful girls, when our world was rocked when two lines appeared on a pregnancy test. I was anxious, but Jack was elated. I swear the man has a breeding kink.
It was no surprise our gender reveal party revealed we were having another girl; Jack says he was destined to be surrounded by beautiful women and I think he”s right. Baby girl number five who we are yet to name will be joining us very soon and whilst we keep saying this is our last, I’ve accepted that we are more never say never people. Watch me be the star of a Hulu special, fifteen kids and counting.
The sound of a car comes from our drive and Nugget barks. In his old age, he slowly makes his way to the front door to greet Jack.
“Girls, Daddy’s home,” he calls, stepping into the entryway. Within seconds, four sets of feet come bounding down the stairs, all fighting for his affection.
They all come in together, taking their chosen seats around the large wooden dining table that sits in front of the floor-length windows that overlook the lake. Jack balances Maddison on his hip and comes over to press a kiss to my lips and gives my belly a rub.
“How are my girls” he asks, reaching for a breadstick off the table to hand to Maddison.
“Your daughter has decided my bladder is her own personal trampoline park and your wife has swollen feet after making twenty-nine trips to the bathroom.”
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry this part is rough. Does it help that you look beautiful doing it?” he says with the most charming smile on his face.
“Not really, but I appreciate the support,” I deadpan.
“Eat and I’ll run you a bath and then I”ll clear up and get this sass squad bathed and ready for bed.”
I feel my shoulders relax instantly at the thought of escaping to my favorite part of our home; our bathroom, my sanctuary. I love nothing more than being a mom. It”s all I ever wanted, but by the end of the day I am touched out and exhausted and I’ve learned over the years you can’t pour from an empty cup. When I take care of myself, I can take better care of them. Happy mum means happy kids.
“I knew I married you for a reason,” I say, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
”Must be my good looks and big... charm, right?” he says with a wink.
I laugh, loving that our playful banter has never faltered, no matter how many babies come along or how many sleepless nights we have. We are still us. He’s still as caring and loving as he has been from day one and not once has he broken his promise to never leave. He shows up every day for us and I couldn”t do life without him.
“Okay, girls, eat up,” he says, clipping Maddison into her booster and then walking round the table to help Aubrey with hers. Lexi tells us about her day at school and Elle has come out of her shell the older she”s got and isn”t afraid to speak her mind. I often feel overwhelmed at the thought of raising five girls to become strong independent women who know their worth, but I know with a dad like Jack, we’ll figure it out together.
I eat my pasta, looking round the table at my beautiful girls, stroking a hand over my swollen belly. A pang of emotion hits me out of nowhere and I feel tears prick my eyes. Jack notices and gives me a questioning look. “Hormones,” I mouth, dabbing my eyes with a napkin. Maybe it is my hormones, the lack of sleep, or maybe it’s me having a moment where it hits me just how lucky I am. I wake up every day, grateful for the life I live and the man I have by my side sharing it all with.
When you come from nothing it takes time to believe you are worth something and Jack has made it his mission to make sure not a day goes by where he doesn’t show me I am worth loving, worth saving, worth fighting for, but above all else I am worth staying for, because unlike most people in my life Jack has never made me question his love or his intentions, he”s just simply loved me for me and proved to me that good men do exist, and god did I get the best one. Being Loved by Jack did turn out to be everything I hoped for and so much more.