Epilogue One
Valentine’s Day – 1 Year Later
Spike
Valentine’s Day feels different this year. The house is filled with a quiet hum of anticipation, not just from the boys but from me, too. I glance at the clock—still, plenty of time to get everything ready. Sam and Charlie are in the living room, giggling as they work on their handmade Valentine cards for Emma. It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year since she first came into our lives. So much has changed and for the better.
“Dad!” Sam calls, waving a crayon-streaked card in the air. “Does this look okay?”
I step over, kneeling beside him to examine the card. It’s a little lopsided, the hearts drawn with the unsteady hand of a six-year-old, but it’s perfect.
“It’s awesome, buddy,” I tell him, ruffling his hair. “Emma’s going to love it.”
Charlie walks over, his chubby fingers clutching his own card. He’s four now, but sometimes he still clings to me like he did when he was smaller. “Mine, too?”
“Let me see.” I take the card and smile at the rows of stick figures he’s drawn. Four of them. All holding hands.
“That’s our family,” he explains proudly.
My chest tightens, and I pull him in for a hug. “It’s perfect, Charlie. Just perfect.”
When Emma came into our lives, I was a mess. We all were. I’d lost my best friend, and the boys had lost their parents. Emma didn’t just bring order to our chaos; she brought love, patience, and a sense of belonging we didn’t know we needed. Now, we’re a family. And tonight, I’m going to make it official.
Emma comes downstairs just as the boys finish tidying up their crayons. She’s wearing a soft pink dress that flows around her knees, her hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. She’s beautiful, but it’s the way her eyes light up when she sees the boys that gets to me every time.
“What’s all this?” she asks, eyeing the cards on the table.
Sam grins. “Surprise, Emma! Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Charlie runs over, holding up his card. “Look!”
Emma crouches down, taking the card with a soft gasp. “Oh, Charlie, this is wonderful. Is that us?”
He nods vigorously. “Uh-huh. That’s me and Sam and Daddy and you!”
Her eyes dart to mine, and there’s a sheen of tears there. I can’t help but smile, my chest swelling with pride and love for all three of them.
Dinner is simple but perfect. Heart-shaped pizzas, the boys’ idea, and a chocolate cake Emma baked earlier in the day. We laugh and talk, the kind of easy conversation that comes from knowing each other inside and out. When the boys finish their cake, I clear my throat.
“Hey, Sam, Charlie,” I say, standing and motioning them over. “Remember what we talked about?”
Sam nods, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Is it time?”
“It’s time,” I confirm, reaching for the small box in my pocket.
Emma watches us with a curious smile, her fork pausing mid-air. “What are you two up to?”
Charlie tugs on her sleeve, his voice a loud whisper. “Daddy has a question!”
I kneel beside her, my heart pounding as I open the box to reveal the ring. It’s simple, elegant, and exactly her style.
“Emma,” I begin, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. “You came into our lives when we needed you most, and you’ve been everything I could’ve hoped for and more. You’re not just part of this family—you’re the heart of it. Will you marry me?”
Her hands fly to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock and joy. “Oh, Spike…”
“Say yes!” Sam chimes in, bouncing on his toes.
Charlie grabs her hand, nodding earnestly. “Please, Emma?”
Tears spill down her cheeks as she nods. “Yes. Yes, of course!”
The boys cheer, throwing their arms around her as I slip the ring onto her finger. My own throat tightens as I watch her hug them, her love for them shining brighter than ever. When she turns to me, I pull her close, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss that seals the promise we’ve just made.
Later, as we’re all cuddled on the couch, Sam looks up at Emma, his expression serious.
“Can Charlie and me call you Mom now?” he asks quietly.
Emma’s breath catches, and she looks at me, her eyes filled with emotion. I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
“Of course you can,” she whispers, pulling him and Charlie close. “I’d be honored.”
And in that moment, as I hold my family in my arms, I know we’ve finally found our forever.