Epilogue - Anton
Three years later…
I carry my wife over the threshold of our home.
I do this on every anniversary. It’s become a tradition of sorts. Today is extra special. Not only because Scarlett graduated with flying colors but also because we found out she’s six weeks pregnant with our first child.
It took us a long time. But we never wavered from trying. Never cried when she got her period. We kept on with our lives, loving each other as though it would never happen.
We made a plan to start IVF once she reached twenty-five years old, and also when we were going to put in a request for adoption.
And then it happened without warning.
We’ve already prepared the baby’s room. Opting for a neutral gray color on the walls, and we’ve commissioned an artist to paint a mural on one wall. All colors, because we don’t want to find out the sex of the baby before he or she is born.
Her father is desperate for a boy in the family.
It took him some time to get used to us being together. He was angry at first, but not because his daughter was with his friend, but that we married in Vegas.
He still hates that he didn't get to walk her down the aisle as he had with her sister. Now, I even thought that was strange considering how he treated her.
Scarlett has no regrets.
“I’m going to take time off with you once the baby arrives,” I say, emptying the many bags of baby clothes we bought today.
Scarlett smiles. “Really? You’ll do that?”
“Yes, and if you want to go back to work after your maternity leave. I’ll cut my days down.”
“My brilliant lawyer husband is going to look after a baby?” she says.
“I want to be there for him or her. My father never was. He was always too busy. He always had a business meeting, or a flight to catch...”
My father left my brother and me a massive inheritance when he died. But I don’t want to be that person dying young because his life is hectic and stressful. That person who hardly knew his children.
“And my future brilliant lawyer wife can do the same.”
I know she wants to work. Scarlett loves being married to me, but strives for her independence and I will always give her that, regardless of how much I want to be with her.
She takes hold of my hand and smiles at me. Her face and eyes light up and the look goes straight to my heart. I pull her into my arms and she melts into me. How I got so lucky to have found this sweetness, I’ll never know.
Her father taking me under his wing when I started as a fresh graduate at the hockey team helped. For someone who had a hard heart when it came to his daughter, he was always good to me.
Taking me to his home for dinner when my father died and my mother moved permanently to The Algarve in Portugal.
Sometimes I thank my lucky stars. Scarlett was fated to me by the gods—that I know. Knowing everything happens for a reason.
Everything has a purpose.
She is my purpose.
She wraps her arms around me like she always does. She gives herself to me easily. I’m so happy my children are going to have the most perfect mother. I hope I can be the best father.
I give her a quick kiss before I rub my hands up and down her arms.
A knock at the door interrupts our moment. I pull away from Scarlett, but she grabs my hand before I can walk away.
“Let me,” I say, squeezing her fingers.
Her parents stand at our doorstep, arms full of bags and boxes. Her mother cradles something wrapped in tissue paper against her chest.
“Come in.” I step aside, watching them shuffle into our home.
“We brought gifts for the baby.” Her father dumps the bags on our couch. “And something special for you, Scarlett.”
Her mother unwraps the tissue paper, revealing a weathered teddy bear with a blue ribbon around its neck. “This was yours when you were born. I kept it all these years.”
Scarlett’s breath catches. “But I thought...I always assumed everything from my baby days went to the twins.”
“No, sweetheart.” Her mother holds out the bear. “This was always yours. I packed it away special, waiting for the right moment. Waiting to give it back.”
Scarlett takes the bear with trembling hands. Her fingers trace over a small tag with her name embroidered in faded pink thread. Tears spill down her cheeks.
Her mother wipes tears from her own eyes. “We saved everything. Your first shoes, your baptism gown, your baby book. They’re all in these boxes.”
“I know you don’t believe us, but we loved you just as much, princess.” Her father’s voice cracks. “Maybe we didn’t show it enough, but you were never less important than your siblings.”
I watch my wife clutch the bear to her chest, her shoulders shaking. Her mother wraps her in a tight embrace while her father rubs circles on her back.
“Thank you,” Scarlett whispers. “I never knew...”
“And that was our fault,” her father says, his voice thick with emotion. “We got so caught up in Jade’s life, fretting over everything because she was premature at birth. You were easy when you came along, and then when the twins...” He sighs. “We forgot our gentle and shy girl needed us, too.”
I watch as Scarlett wipes tears from her cheeks, still holding the bear close.
“We’re trying to make it right,” her father continues. He turns to me, reaching into his jacket pocket. “Anton, son...I have something for you, too.”
He pulls out an old pocket watch, gold and worn smooth from years of handling. My breath catches. I recognize it immediately. It’s the watch his father gave him when he became a partner at the firm.
“This was meant for my firstborn son.” He places it in my palm. The metal is warm from being close to his heart. “I know we had our differences when you and Scarlett first got together. But you’ve proven yourself a better man than I ever was. You love her the way she deserves.”
“Sir, I—” The words stick in my throat.
“Call me Dad.” He clasps my shoulder. “You’re giving me a grandchild. You’ve made my daughter happier than I’ve ever seen her. This belongs to you now.”
Scarlett breaks away from her mother to peer at the watch in my hand. “Daddy, isn’t that Grandpa’s?”
“It is.” He smiles at us both. “And someday, when your child is old enough, it’ll be theirs.”“You never gave it to Max…” Scarlett says, surprise coating her words.Her father shakes his head.
I try to speak but can’t find the words. This watch represents more than just an heirloom—it’s acceptance. Forgiveness. Family.
“Thank you,” I finally manage. “This means everything.”
“Just promise me one thing,” he says, looking between us. “Love that baby fiercely. Don’t make the mistakes I did.”