Epilogue
Who knew that a toddler’s birthday party would create such widespread detritus?
As they did their usual divide-and-conquer routine, and Caleb put their three-year-old daughter to bed, Serena tackled the mess downstairs, clearing the rooms, tidying the new stack of toys, stacking the dishwasher and wiping down the counters.
By the time she heard her husband descending the stairs, their living space was gleaming again.
‘Did Frankie go down okay?’
He smiled indulgently, sliding his arms around her from behind. ‘She was fast asleep in my arms before her head went anywhere near her pillow. She was worn-out.’
‘She did have a big day.’
‘I cannot believe how much she relished being the centre of attention at her party. I know she always loves being the centre of attention,’ he added quickly, ‘but she revelled in it even more than usual today.’
Serena smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. ‘When we decided to name her after my mum, I hoped she would have a little of her spirit, but we definitely got more than we bargained for. I wouldn’t change her though, not a single thing.’ Even if she was exhausting!
‘Me neither,’ he agreed, pressing a warm kiss to her cheek.
‘She’s perfect, just like her very beautiful, very sexy mother.
’ Serena spun in his arms, feeling his arousal, and without delay heat swept through her body, delighted by the thought of surrendering to him.
‘Please tell me everyone has left,’ he breathed, seizing her mouth for a burning kiss.
‘Mm-hmm. Kit is staying at his friends down the road. Your father and Ellie have gone back to the hotel, and Evie is dropping Alexis off at Marcia’s.’
Marcia had been invited to the party, but preexisting plans meant she hadn’t been able to attend.
She had sent a gift though, a gesture that Serena appreciated.
The years hadn’t brought them any closer—too much had passed between them for there to be closeness—but they had learned to respect one another and had built a civil relationship for the sake of Kit and Alexis. It was peaceful, which was enough.
‘Excellent. I think we should make the most of this rare moment of peace and quiet—no toddler running around, no teenagers wandering in and out—and start practicing to make another perfect human all over again.’
Serena arched her eyebrows, smiling. ‘That’s really what you want? Another baby?’
‘Yes.’ He nodded, barely able to hide his eagerness.
He’d been talking about extending their family for a while.
He loved being a father to Frankie and a surrogate father-cum-big brother to Kit and Alexis.
And Serena loved watching him do it. He was so sure and steady, never holding back in his affection or guidance.
Watching him, it was hard to believe he’d ever been worried about being a good father.
Becoming a dad had also helped his relationship with his own father.
It was in the high emotion surrounding Frankie’s birth that Caleb had finally found the courage to broach the matter of his childhood with his father.
As Caleb suspected, his father had no recollection of blaming him and had been horrified to hear about his actions.
His apology had been swift and sincere, and his explanation of his heartache had been met with understanding from Caleb.
His father had spent every day since working hard to heal the rift between them and to be the best father and grandfather possible, and it hadn’t taken long for them to overcome all the guilt and pain they both carried from that long-ago time in their lives.
‘I’m glad you feel that way because I found out today that I’m six weeks pregnant.’
She watched his reaction; his eyes widening with disbelief and then glowing with delight ‘You are?’ Emotion shimmered in his gaze as he looked quickly down at her stomach. ‘Wait. Six weeks?’
Serena had to laugh. ‘I know. It’s crazy.
’ Six weeks ago, they had been on the way back from their biannual trip to Australia and had stopped in Singapore for a few days.
‘There’s just something about you, me and Singapore that seems to be a very potent combination.
’ She laughed, smoothing her hand over his short hair.
‘I love you so much, Serena,’ he said earnestly, claiming her lips for one of the deep kisses she loved, because it seemed to say he couldn’t get enough of her. ‘And I love our family so much.’
She knew he did. There was never any doubt about that in her mind, not with all the ways he’d changed his life to make them his priority, but it was always so much fun when he demonstrated it too.
‘Show me how much,’ she breathed, leaning in to him to curl her arms around his neck and touch her lips to his, and it wasn’t a request she had to make twice.