Epilogue 1
EPILOGUE 1
Harrison
Poppy Eloise Decker
I’m smitten.
One week early, our baby came roaring into this world, demanding all the attention. I’ll give it. I’ll give her whatever she wants.
Nothing went to plan.
Everything happened exactly how it was supposed to, though, and I’m good with that. How can I complain when I’m holding my daughter in my arms? My baby girl is going to be so loved that she’ll expect nothing less.
Tatum chose the first name, giving me a little shout-out. She told me we’ll always have a little California in New York State since she stole me from the West Coast. I came willingly, but we vacation out there a couple of times a year. I kept the house and added her name on it. Life is good as long as we’re together.
But seeing Tatum truly content within her life makes my life even better.
We live next door to our best friends. We’re godparents to their little guy, James Nicholas, Poppy’s best friend. And one house down from them is Andrew and Juni. Reed is the oldest of the baby crew and already showing great leadership qualities like his dad, making Andrew very proud.
The only ones missing in this little girl’s life are her maternal grandparents. They’ll eventually be back in the city, but I can’t say they’re missed. As for the blank check . . . it cleared for the full eighteen million. Not one word was ever said.
Tatum yawns, opening her eyes. “I thought you put Poppy in her crib?”
“I wanted to hold her a little longer.”
Maintaining our hushed tones, she adds, “You’re spoiling her.”
“There are worse things I could spoil her with than daddy hugs.”
She reaches over with a smile on her face and rubs the top of Poppy’s bald-ish head. “I remember the first time you called me baby. I thought that was the best thing ever. But seeing you hold your actual baby, that wins hands down.”
“One day, she’s not going to fit in my arms, and that will break my heart.”
“Wait until she starts dating.” Not funny.
“Slow your roll, little mama. It’s too soon to talk about that.”
Tatum sits up and rests against my arm, her head on my shoulder so we can both stare at this little wonderment. “I always thought it was pride, or you forgot about me, that kept you from texting. It was hurt feelings on my part for the longest time. Now I realize it was timing. We weren’t supposed to be together yet. Look what patience brought us.”
I kiss the top of her head, and then say, “Happiness.”