Epilogue
NASH
There’s music coming from the living room when I walk in. I’m dusty, dirty, and ready to hang out with my wife.
I ended up outside of cell service for a few hours today, and I’ve been in a panic to hurry home.
Kicking off my boots, I hurry down the hall to the living room.
Magnolia is sitting on the edge of the couch, a backpack sitting on her knees.
“Hey, sweetie. I’m so sorry I was late. I had to lead Sally back to the truck because she threw a shoe.”
Magnolia has a glassy-eyed look as she stares at me. “I don’t mean to rush you, or anything. If you need to go out and bring another hundred cattle in…why don’t you do that?”
I grimace as I hear the bite in her voice.
“I’m so sorry. What can I do to make it up to you?”
She rests her elbows on the backpack and narrows her eyes at me. “I want donuts. The ones with the cream filling and chocolate frosting on top.”
“Alright, it’ll take me a while. I’ll check and see if it’s still open. It’s already two o’clock.”
“I already called, and they’re open until four,” Magnolia replies.
“Perfect. I’ll wash up and go pick up your donuts for you.” I walk over to her and press a kiss on her forehead, careful not to touch her with my dirty hands.
“Actually, I’ll be coming with you. I want a strawberry lemonade from Sonic, too.”
“Sonic is all the way in Bend…”
“Yes, but I need to go to Bend this afternoon anyway.” She frowns as she looks down at her clenched hands.
“Oh, really? I didn’t know you had an appointment today. I’m sorry, I would have let Max handle the cattle this morning.”
“I didn’t have an appointment,” she says calmly. “We’re going to have a baby.”
My brain freezes. There’s static electricity where I used to be able to form complete thoughts. “Have a baby?” I croak.
It’s not due for another week. The doctor told us that first babies are almost always late.
“Are you sure?” It’s the worst question I could ask, I’m positive.
Magnolia doesn’t answer. Her eyes are closed.
I lean forward, lift the backpack off her lap, gently grasp her hands, and rub gentle circles with my thumbs. Her stomach is rock hard under her T-shirt. She blows out a long breath and opens her eyes.
“My water broke an hour ago. This baby is coming whether we’re ready or not,” she says with a smile.
“Charlie’s bringing the truck around. She got back to the ranch thirty minutes ago and has been panicking ever since I told her.
She said you could meet up with us at the hospital, but I didn’t want to go without you. ”
It’s all I can do to keep from jumping up and down. “I’m so sorry, Magnolia. I’m here now. Let’s go!”
I sling the backpack over my shoulder and scoop up my wife.
“Nash, this time you really are going to throw out your back,” she protests as he head for the door.
“Never. I’m so sorry, honey.” I kiss her brow and she loops her arms around my neck.
“It’s okay. I knew you’d be back. That’s why I told the baby it had to wait.”
I nearly drop her out of sheer excitement. We decided to be surprised on gender, so we don’t know if it’s a boy or girl yet. I can’t believe Magnolia’s being so calm about this whole thing.
“You’re not going to forget my donuts, right?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Actually, I had already forgotten.
Four hours later, with a donut stop and Sonic drive-thru, I find out it’s possible to fall madly in love with somebody else at first sight.
Laurel Elaine Whitlock is the most precious thing I’ve ever held in my arms. Magnolia scoots over in the hospital bed and makes room for me to sit down next to her.
“I can’t believe you grew this baby,” I whisper as we stare at our perfect daughter.
Magnolia reaches over to slip a finger into Laurel’s grasp. “She’s so perfect. I never knew.”
I look at Magnolia then and watch as she stares down at our daughter, happy tears rolling down her face. “You’re perfect,” I tell her. “Look how incredible you are.”
“Is it crazy that it hurts my chest with how much I love her already?” Magnolia asks as she lifts her eyes to mine.
“Not at all. I feel the same way—about both of you.” I lean down and kiss her forehead. “I love you so much, Magnolia. I can’t believe we’re starting a family together.”
“What if I can’t stop crying? I’m so happy I can’t make it stop.” She sobs as she smiles at me.
I gently lay Laurel in Magnolia’s arms and reach an arm around her, pulling her to lean against my chest. That way, I can hold both my girls at the same time.
Pressing a kiss against Magnolia’s head, I watch in awe as Laurel opens her eyes and looks around. I know the doctor told us their eyes aren’t actually focusing on things yet, but she seems so alert and bright-eyed.
Magnolia was right. It’s a love so strong it physically hurts. I know I would do anything to protect this baby.
“I love you,” I whisper to Magnolia again.
She tips her head back and smiles at me. “I love you, Nash. I’m so happy to be having a family with you.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than at your side,” I assure her.
She presses a kiss to my lips, and I kiss her back gently.
The sound of the room door opening has both of us pulling back. Expecting it to be the nurse, we’re surprised to see Charlie, Piper, and Bliss hurrying in.
“Oh gross, get a room,” Piper mutters.
“Why are you the naked one?” Bliss asks.
I glance down at my shirtless self. “I didn’t have time to change out of my work gear. I wasn’t going to hold the baby against cow manure,” I reply dryly. “And we’re in a room.”
Charlie is leaning over both of us, though she’s part of the immediate family unit. I guess she is in a way. “You did such a good job!” She tells Magnolia as she awkwardly hugs both of us—and the baby. “Look how gorgeous she is!”
She slaps my shoulder. “It’s a good thing you finally made it home. I thought I was going to have to be the father in the delivery room.” Piper and Bliss crowd in, smiling down at Laurel.
“Is it safe to come in?” A deep voice calls from the doorway.
Max stands there grinning at me. I nod and smile back.
“Oh wow, you brought the whole gang…” Magnolia says with a laugh.
“Well, when your wife tells you to be somewhere, then you listen to her.”
Max walks into the room, followed by Zane, and Piper’s husband, Grey.
Charlie rolls her eyes. “When have you ever listened to me?”
Max presses a kiss against Charlie’s cheek. “I did today, didn’t I?”
“Well, it’s a first.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t get used to it if I were you.”
Charlie pokes him in the ribs, and he moves away from her. “Oh my word, that baby is tiny.”
That earns another poke from Charlie. “The baby is perfectly healthy.”
Understanding flashes across Max’s face, and he nods rapidly. “Of course it is. Look at her. Perfectly healthy.”
Magnolia just laughs. “It’s all right. She was nine pounds. She’s got a good, healthy start.”
“Perfect. When are you letting her come to work with her Uncle Max?” Max asks as he leans over to smile at Laurel.
“Never,” Magnolia and I respond simultaneously.
“What? How rude. We would have so much fun.”
“We’ll revisit this when she’s older,” Magnolia promises to appease him.
Zane leans forward, a giant strawberry lemonade in his hand. “I thought you might be thirsty.”
I could just roll my eyes. He’s always so thoughtful, and sometimes it irks me.
Magnolia, of course, gushes over his sweetness. Zane sets the drink on the side table, then goes to stand next to Bliss.
Grey sets a bag on the table as well. “Just a little something for her.”
“I don’t even know what it is,” Piper admits. “He’s been working on it in secret.”
Grey actually blushes, which I didn’t know was possible.
I reach for the bag and pull out the tissue. Inside is a small pair of custom-made cowboy boots. I pull them out and even I ooh-and-ahh over them.
“You made these?” I ask.
Grey shrugs and stares at the floor. “I thought the baby would need something when they start walking.”
The leatherwork is beautiful and so incredibly intricate on such a small pair of boots. It’s obvious that making something like this would take a lot of time.
“Well, now I’m going to cry again,” Magnolia exclaims.
I pull her into a hug as her happy tears cascade down her cheeks. This time, Laurel chimes in, too.
“Look, she’s a sympathetic crier,” Charlie says.
Everyone laughs, including Magnolia. But it’s Max who has enough insight to usher everyone out of the room so Magnolia can have some privacy to feed the baby.
Once it’s all quiet in the room again, and Magnolia is rewrapping Laurel in a soft swaddling blanket, she looks up at me and grins. “You know, your mom was worried about me feeling lonely living in Pine Ridge. I don’t think we have that problem.”
“That’s because all your friends followed you out here,” I say with a laugh. “By the way, if you’re up for another round of visitors in a couple of hours, I know your family, my mom, and Alexander are on their way too.”
“That sounds great. We might not be able to get my mom to ever leave, though. It’s her first grandbaby. And she’s going to be so thrilled we’re carrying on her tree-themed names.”
“She’s welcome to stay as long as she wants.” I shrug. “The more the merrier. The house is big enough.”
Magnolia laughs. “You know what? That’s something I love about you.”
“What?”
“You say things like that, and you actually mean it.” She presses a kiss against my cheek. “Thanks for being you.”
“Thanks for making me fall in love with you at first sight.”
She smiles brightly at me and adjusts her hold on our baby, and I realize I’m the luckiest man alive.
Thank you for reading Nash and Magnolia’s story! I hope you loved every minute and are craving some buttery cinnamon rolls…
I would love it if you could leave a review here!
~Lots of love and awkward hugs,
Carina Taylor