Epilogue Lottie
FOUR MONTHS LATER
“Ok, so I got you chocolates, obviously. But I also thought we’d go for a little more variety this time,” Knox says, his brows furrowed in concentration, so serious.
“Salt & vinegar chips, some cookies, soup—because even though you’re not super feeling it, you do need to eat something that isn’t processed or full of chemicals. I also—”
I put my fingers to his lips, stopping him. “You are adorable. Thank you for getting me all this stuff. For taking care of me.” I move my hand to cup his face. Knox gives me his trademark lopsided smile, eyes blue and bright as ever. His hand covers mine, holding it to his cheek.
Though my pain had gotten substantially better over the past year, I still decided to go through with the hysterectomy.
There’s always a chance that it might come back, but it’s low.
I’m one day post-op and optimistic that this is going to be the first day of the rest of my life.
Pain free, with the love of my life by my side.
“I just want to take care of you.” His voice is soft, his eyes pleading.
“You are, and you do it so well.” My heart is full and I feel lighter than I have in years—and it isn’t because of the painkillers they’ve got me on. It’s this knowledge that I’m exactly where I want to be with who I want to be. The knowledge that I am exactly the person I want to be.
I’m not saying that my life is perfect by any means. Knox and I still have arguments, the bookstore is a ton of work, and I still sometimes battle this nagging feeling that I’m not enough.
No, life definitely isn’t perfect. But man, is it good.
“Plus, this whole thing is kind of bittersweet. It’s the last time we’ll be doing this.”
I laugh and shake my head before giving him a peck on the lips. I wince a bit, the movement uncomfortable despite the pain killers. “It’s bittersweet that I just had a hysterectomy to never have debilitating abdominal pain because it means you’ll never get to take care of me like that again?”
“Uh… Yes?” He seems unsure. “I mean, I’m obviously glad you got the surgery. But I secretly enjoyed getting to hold you and bring you whatever you needed while you weren’t well. It was our thing.”
I roll my eyes at him, attacking a chocolate truffle. “If you want to watch Twilight so bad, just watch it.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
I giggle and tug on his hand, pulling him in bed next to me. “You can still take care of me in my old age. Or when I have a cold. And I can take care of you.”
He smiles softly and presses his lips to mine. “Okay. We’ll take care of each other.”
THE END