Epilogue
Beau
Five years later
T iny feet patter on wood floors as I tug on a hoodie and lock up the music room and our bedroom. I leave Lilah’s pink bedroom—what used to be the spare bedroom—open in case she changes her mind about letting Felicity play with her toys.
It’s not that our daughter doesn’t like to share. It’s that she’s particularly concerned about the cleanliness of her space after the last time Felicity came to play.
I pause at the bottom of the townhouse stairs, waiting for the culprits of all the ruckus to appear on what has got to be their hundredth lap around the house.
A miniature Liam comes skidding around the corner into the hallway, her thick curtain of black hair swishing around her round face. Cosmo skitters after her and thuds into the wall, causing me to chuckle.
Warm brown flick to me. Immediately, they burn down to my soul, ravenous for secrets.
I would say it’s normal for all children to stare like that, but Lilah’s on another level. She’s the offspring of the metal god Liam Beckner, and I swear she was born with the idea that she was meant to protect me, too.
Daddy, you need to nap.
Daddy, you need to call your doctor.
Daddy, you need to drink more water.
I let her baby me, knowing if I refuse, it will upset her. She’s the perfect mix of my two favorite people loving each other, and that’s something special.
She’s special.
She may not have my genes, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now we don’t have to be concerned about her inheriting my predisposition to develop brain tumors.
Honestly, there was no hope of her growing up normally. Not with three parents—two of which are well-known musicians. And not with me having to undergo surgery before her second birthday when my doc found another mass during a routine MRI.
My health has unfortunately had an impact on us all, but anytime I get in my feels about it, Lilah takes my face in her little hands and glares at me until I break into soft laughter because seeing that kind of fierce expression on a three-year-old is wild.
I can’t say it’s been all negative. Lilah is the most cautiously gentle and observant child I’ve ever come into contact with.
Chuckling, I watch her zip on by for another lap around the house.
Max’s daughter skids into view seconds later, slamming into the hallway and rattling the collage of pictures we’ve hung over the years of our vacations. She’s wearing a Halloween cheetah costume Max says she refuses to take off, even though it’s several sizes too small.
“Super cat speed!” she yells, following this up with her best impression of a menacing growl.
We’re not sure where her personality came from—I’ve never met her mom—but I have to put some weight on Max’s inability to tell the girl no.
At six years old, she’s running the show .
From somewhere in the house, Lilah squeals in terror. By the time I rush into the kitchen to save her, Liam has already scooped her up onto his broad shoulder.
When Lilah grabs onto his bun in what has to be a death grip, Liam just hums with laughter and secures a big, inked hand over her tiny leg.
My heart kicks my ribs hard. I don’t think I would have fought so hard for each day if not for them in my life.
“The tiger got to you, huh?” I smirk at Liam’s rainbow-painted nails. More polish covers his skin than anything else.
“Hey. It’s an upgrade to go with his pretty hair.” Felicity pouts for all of three seconds before launching herself at Liam’s leg like a beast trying to scale a tree.
Max rubs at his brows. “I’m raising a feral animal.”
I pat a hand on his back. On top of being a single parent, his workload as the CFO at a new company has him wound more tightly than normal. We’ve done what we can to help support him by babysitting Felicity when issues pop up with daycare or illness.
Liam chuckles as he peers at Felicity. “Down, kitty. You can’t have this one.”
Felicity roars again, drawing an airy laugh from Stasi as she sweeps in through the back patio door.
The friend group we’ve solidified over the years—our yoga brunch crew, Ascension Record’s staff, and whatever members of Atonement are in town at the time—are gathered in the backyard for a cookout.
Stasi’s instantly drawn to Lilah, arms reaching up to snatch her from Liam’s shoulder. At first, he turns his body away, not willing to part with her. Then Stasi levels him with a fiery look that has my cock taking notice.
I’m almost tempted to join the gym to watch their power dynamic unfold there, too. But also, ew to working out .
Stasi dips Lilah in her arms and peppers her cheeks with kisses, earning some of the most heavenly giggles. Liam flips Felicity upside down and carries her outside, shutting the door on her growls.
Lilah reaches for me. “Want daddy!”
Syrupy warmth spreads through me. I’m not sure anything else could ever compare to being loved unconditionally by a child. It’s an experience I’ll cherish no matter the challenges that may come with my health in the future.
“Don’t you want mommy, Lilah?” Stasi asks, rocking our sweet baby in her arms.
Lilah squirms harder. “Want daddy!”
Stasi pouts as she walks her over to me. “This isn’t fair.”
My grin spreads wider. “Maybe we should have another one.”
She contemplates it for a moment, teeth sinking into her bottom lip.
“I’ll watch.” I waggle my brows.
She rolls her eyes. “Maybe if one of you carries it this time.”
I chuckle, but it’s cut off as Lilah tightens her arms around me in a chokehold. Loosening her hold, I sway her around the house, pausing in the hallway to let her look over the pictures.
She likes seeing us together hiking, kayaking, and dirt biking. She likes the pretty orange and pink sunsets we’ve captured and the flowering cacti from the garden at our house in Arizona, our holiday getaway home whenever Liam and Stasi take time off from being workaholics.
Lilah’s little fingers creep up into my hair, seeking the raised lines along the left side of my scalp. It’s become a habit for her to trace them. Almost like she needs to feel them healed.
“Are you gonna get another boo-boo?” she asks.
My chest tightens, but I keep my smile in place. “I’m not sure, baby. ”
I’ve been tumor-free for several scans now, but that doesn’t mean I’m in the clear.
Lilah rests her palm over my scars. “I can heal you with magic if it happens again. Okay, daddy?”
If only that’s how it worked, sweet girl. If only.
Gently taking her hand in mine, I kiss the tips of her tiny fingers. I’m not sure why they’re always sticky. I do my best not to think about it.
The doorbell rings, and I wander over to it with Lilah as my passenger. She’s constantly in one of our arms, so much so that she was late to crawl and walk.
When I open the door, Hail and Z greet us with hands full of chips and pop.
“Dude. Congrats,” Hail says. “Your song is still number five on the rock charts.”
“Is it? I hadn’t checked…”
The little boy hiding behind them peeks his head around—their newly adopted son, Zack. He’s eight years old, timid, untrusting, and yet his blue eyes light up with admiration any time he looks at one of his two dads.
Maybe we should adopt, too. We could fill this house with kids. We have more than enough love to give.
“Come on in,” I say, stepping to the side.
Just as I’m about to close the door behind them, someone shouts my name from across the street.
Peeking out, I catch Noah jogging up the driveway, a big smile spreading on his face.
I wasn’t sure he would make it with his busy schedule, but he’s been putting in the work to mend our friendship after a heart-to-heart a few years back.
Turns out we were sucky bandmates, but we’re pretty good at being friends.
Noah keeps asking me to join Lithos as a special guest at a show, or even on tour, but I can’t fathom ever leaving home again. I’m satisfied to create music under Liam’s supervision in the comfort of the studio where my daughter can watch from his lap.
“Everyone’s here,” I call out behind me.
This is received with a “let’s fucking eat!” from none other than Max’s daughter.
“She’s a troublemaker,” Lilah says, struggling with the pronunciation of such a big word.
I break out into a wider smile. “Nothing wrong with that, baby.”
A little bit of troublemaking is what got me here, surrounded by friends and family who love me.