Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
T he new condo, with its sparkling view of the Potomac River, had taken much longer to be completed than Addison or Tim expected. Both were relieved to finally move in and leave Tim’s cramped condo behind. It had been fine for one person, but fitting in both of their lives—and all their favorite things—had made it feel much smaller.
Addison gave Prickles a snack, letting him roam around his designated sunroom. It wasn’t quite the private bedroom she had jokingly demanded, but it was a reasonable compromise. Tim had somehow managed to deliver on almost all of her outrageous requests for their home, even if some had started out as jokes.
In the spacious, modern kitchen, Tim was preparing drinks and snacks for their housewarming party, which was long overdue. Addison was looking forward to hosting Amy, Drew, and the rest of their friends to show off the place.
Amy and her new husband, Drew, were the first to arrive, bringing a large basket of high-end cleaning supplies.
“Wow, thanks,” Addison said, shifting the basket to her other arm to give Amy a hug.
“There’s also a coupon for two free cleanings from Sparkle and Shine,” Amy added with a grin.
“Laura won’t be doing the cleaning, will she?” Addison joked.
“Only if you want your personal belongings sorted and judged,” Amy said wryly.
Tim greeted them with hugs and handshakes. “Thanks! We’re going to need this after the party,” he said, looking at the cleaning supplies.
Jake and Laura arrived shortly after. Laura waddled in with her giant, pregnant belly, groaning. “I feel like a manatee.”
Everyone rushed to assure her she looked beautiful.
“You’re all liars,” Laura said, settling into the nearest armchair.
Jake handed Addison a large monstera plant. “Here, have a plant. Got any food?”
Addison pointed toward the kitchen. “Tim’s on it.”
She pushed over an ottoman for Laura.
“Ahh, thank you,” Laura sighed, putting her feet up.
“How are baby preparations going?” Addison asked.
“Slowly. The only good thing about moving to the suburbs is the space. We’ve got room for all the baby stuff we haven’t put together yet,” Laura said.
“We?” Jake interjected. “I’m pretty sure she means me.”
“Well, I’m busy being a human crockpot,” Laura shot back.
“I’ll say this—Jada’s already supplied the baby with an entire wardrobe of designer clothes. I’ve got accessories, too. This little girl will be the best-dressed baby in D.C.,” Laura bragged.
“Someday, we’ll pass everything on to Amy and Drew,” Jake said.
“Something to share with us, Mr. and Mrs. Porter?” Addison asked.
Amy looked horrified. “Do I look pregnant?” She smoothed her shirt. “I told you this made me look fat,” she whispered loudly to Drew.
He rolled his eyes. “No one looks fat.” Laura gave him a look. “Um, I’m in over my head.” He left to help Tim in the kitchen.
“I’m outta here, too,” Jake said, following Drew.
“Ames, tell Addison about your business plans,” Laura said, shifting to get comfortable.
“Business plans? I’m already excited for you. What’s up?” Addison asked.
Amy grinned. “We’re going to franchise Sparkle and Shine. I don’t know if you remember, but last year, Bettina and I realized we could only clean so many homes, and our client list was out of control. I asked her to be a co-owner with me, and we hired more staff. It was going well, but we’re growing so quickly that we’re still tired and overworked. Plus, neither of us is used to being a manager, and it’s taken away from our time cleaning. So, Bettina had the awesome idea to franchise.”
“That’s brilliant! You can keep the business without the extra management stress.”
“Tell her the big news,” Laura encouraged Amy.
“There’s bigger news than that?” Addison asked.
“We already have our first franchise opening in Fairfax County next month. Technically, we’re now officially a multi-state businessAmy said laughing.
“Consider this party to be in honor of you, too. We need to celebrate our business maven,” Addison said, clapping her hands in excitement.
Everyone laughed when Jake quipped, “This is just for Laura.”
“I can’t wait to get this baby out of me and put an end to pregnancy jokes. But he’s not wrong about my appetite. If I didn’t know better, I’d say I’m eating for at least eight,” Laura said.
Amy waved a plate in front of her. “Hungry, Octomom?”
“I hate you all,” Laura muttered. “But yeah.”
“Is Lexi coming?” Tim asked Addison.
“She said she’d be a little late,” Addison replied, “waiting for our housewarming gift to be ready,” Addison responded.
Moments later, the door swung open to reveal Lexi, sweating and struggling to hold the largest picture frame Addison had ever seen.
“Here’s your present, you ungrateful weirdo,” Lexi grumbled, nearly dropping it.
“Hi. What on earth is that?”
“Your present, you ingrate,” Lexi said, pushing inside. “Phew, this thing is way bigger than I expected. What’s up, weirdos?”
The guests greeted Lexi and looked expectantly at the large frame.
“Well, take a look,” she told Addison.
The photo was a stunning shot of Addison and Tim dancing at Jake and Laura’s wedding, with everyone else in the background blurred out.
“Lexi, this is perfect,” Addison said softly, her throat tight.
“I know, right? I figured you needed a constant reminder of the night that brought you back together. Plus, I nailed the shot,” Lexi said smugly.
Before Addison could respond, the doorbell rang again.
Ryan entered, looking frazzled. “I’m sorry I’m late. I had the perfect parking spot, but some guy cut me off. Long story short, I’m parked like seven blocks away.”
Lexi turned to him with a smirk. “Want me to go key his car?”
“No!” everyone said in unison.
“I was just kidding,” she responded.
“No you weren’t,” Ryan said.
“What’s up, Junior?” Jake said, doing a complicated handshake with his brother.
“Excuse you. It’s Doctor Junior now,” Lexi insisted.
“Yeah, show some respect,” Ryan said with mock pride.
“Doctor,” Drew greeted him with a handshake.
“Doctor,” Ryan replied, pumping his hand.
“Yes, you’re both very smart and educated. Let’s eat,” Jake said.
Tim had ordered catering from a few of his favorite commercial real estate clients, and they had a feast laid out. He was pleased to have been wrong about the longevity of the German restaurant that he and Addison had been to for the opening party. They had a tray of tiny sausages, just like the ones they had enjoyed at the opening. He had also gotten multiple trays of Carolina barbecue and decadent soul food sides from his friend with the food truck. Finally, there was a tray of cookies from the bakery on the ground floor of their building. They were Tim’s most recent client, and he and Addison were keeping them in business all on their own.
“How’s the wedding planning going,” Laura asked, balancing her empty plate on her belly.
Tim groaned. “I’ve learned to stay out of the way.”
Addison smiled. “Our moms have basically taken over. I swear my mom is about to move in with Tim’s family until this wedding is done.”
“Let Granny plan it,” Tim suggested, grinning.
“You’re joking, right? She’d have us barefoot on a mountain, making offerings to local cryptids,” Addison said.
“I said what I said,” Tim shrugged.
“I vote for Granny to be in charge, too,” Lexi added.
“ The Washington Post would cover that wedding for free. You’d be the highlight of the Style section,” Laura said.
“Don’t worry. We’ll have some hillbilly flavor,” Addison said. “Myrtle Beach Dan already has his father-of-the-bride speech locked and loaded.”
“Myrtle Beach Dan?” Drew asked, looking confused.
Tim leaned back. “He’s the best. Imagine if Jimmy Buffett and Hulk Hogan merged into a boat captain. That’s Addie’s dad. And honestly, he’s the real reason I’m marrying her.”
“I’m sold,” Ryan said, grinning.
“Yeah, I’m definitely a yes for this wedding,” Drew said. “Finally, some more southern charm in this group. I’ve been carrying it all on my back.”
As the conversation flowed, Addison felt a deep sense of contentment wash over her. This was her family now—a bigger, better version of the foursome she, Tim, Lexi, and Jake used to be. And soon, she’d marry the love of her life in front of all of them.
No more keeping their love quiet. This time, it would be the loudest declaration yet.
THE END