Epilogue
Jude and I spend the week together.
He’s there when Marsha calls to say I got the job. We celebrate by making dinner in Jude’s gorgeous kitchen, where he bakes me a heavenly pavlova with heavy cream.
Next, Jude and I host a celebration dinner at my place with Nellie, Mr. Bruce, and Jinxy. There, I announce that I’m ready to be a cat mom, specifically to one of the hairless breeds, a venture that Jude wholeheartedly supports.
Mr. Bruce jumps to his feet. “Jinxy’s a stud,” he announces.
Nellie scrunches her face. “What the Sam Hill does that mean?”
“It’s like a sperm donor in the animal kingdom,” Mr. Bruce explains. “It makes us some extra cash on the side, and Jinxy gets to have a little company.”
I gasp. “You mean there are little Jinxys out there?”
“Indeed.” He goes on to explain that the mama gave birth to kittens thirteen weeks ago, and he gets the pick of the litter or the price equivalent. It’s all sounding too good to be true. Especially considering that, according to the local animal shelters and pet stores, there’s been a rash of hairless cat inquiries since the live show.
“Are you taking the money or picking a cat?” I ask.
“I’ll take the pick of the litter if you want to give him a good home,” Mr. Bruce offers, and I’m so happy, I hug him.
On Christmas Eve, Jude and I go see the kittens with Mr. Bruce and Jinxy.
They’re so tiny and adorable I squeal at the sight of them.
“Well,” Jude says, “which one is it going to be?”
My gaze lands on the one that looks most like Jinxy. I point to her. “That one.”
“Got a name in mind?” Mr. Bruce asks.
“JJ,” I say, “for Jinxy Junior.”
Jude puts his arm around me. “I like it.”
I’m glad because if all goes well, Jude and I will make for the altar one day, and JJ will be Jude’s baby, too.
The tiny thing licks my thumb, and Jinxy moves in to lick her head. I gush and sigh because the sight is so sweet I can barely take it.
“Jinxy’s going to love having a little friend,” Mr. Bruce says through tears.
“JJ will love it too.” We hug Mr. Bruce and Jinxy goodbye, and Jude helps me into the car with our new, precious bundle.
I stare at her in awe, smiling because she doesn’t look real. Gratitude flows through me; while Jude is the best gift I’ll get all year, Jinxy Junior is a close second.
“We need to get in touch with Bruce’s mum,” Jude says as we ease back onto the street.
I glance over. “What for?”
“You don’t know?”
I shake my head.
“We need to reach out because our baby needs booties.”
I laugh. I never saw myself as the type to put clothes on an animal, but Jude has a point. “Maybe we’ll get her a sweater, too,” I say, cooing at the cat while I speak.
“Now you’re talking.” Jude places his free hand on mine. “To start, I’m thinking something green.”
The End