Epilogue - Riley
I was applying my mascara when I could hear a knock at the door. I paused, glancing down at my phone and checking the time, seeing it was ten. It was likely April.
"It's open," I yell, continuing to finish my makeup. I grab my lipstick and apply a thinner layer before I toss it back into my bag. I stared at myself for a moment and couldn’t help but smile. Not too long ago, I would have cringed, unable to stare at myself, but I was a different person than I was before.
I could hear the door open and shut and footsteps coming down the hallway towards me. "You better be dressed, or so help me, Riley."
"I'm dressed," I said, putting my makeup down and stepping out of the bathroom. April stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. She wore a long winter jacket, but I saw a light blue dress at the bottom.
"It's lovely to see you too, April," I said, smiling at her.
After living there for a month, April ended up moving out of the apartment. There was an apartment a floor down that opened up, and it was perfect for her. It was a one-bedroom, one-bathroom in her price range, and she snagged it.
I was sad to see April go, but I knew it was for the better. April had a lot to figure out, and there were days when she just wanted space to figure her life out.
"You seem a little moody. Did something happen that I don’t know about?"
She snorted, "I’m not moody. I was just making sure you weren't still lying in bed getting your brains fucked out by my brother."
I rolled my eyes at her as I walked down the hallway to the kitchen. "You are a ray of sunshine today. And you only ever heard us one time."
April smirked. "And that was all I needed to know. I may be happy for you guys, but I don't need to know what is going on in your relationship. I will never get the sound of you moaning my brother's name out of my head."
I smirked because I felt a little bad, but deep down, I couldn't help but laugh. Cayden told me later that he'd made sure April could hear us because she ate the last of his favorite cereal and refused to go out and buy more. So, he said he made sure she heard us. To no surprise, she went out and bought him his cereal.
"Where is my brother anyway? Please tell me he's dressed."
Before I could answer, Cayden came down the hallway in his boxers. My mouth watered at the sight of him, seeing his perfectly chiseled abs and thighs, which I wanted to bite into. April had a different expression than I held.
"Jesus Christ," April yelled, looking disgusted. "Are you serious right now?"
Cayden looked at his sister and sighed. "Hey, sis. I didn't realize you were here already."
I couldn't help but think about twenty minutes ago when he had me bent over the bed. It was the third time just this morning that we fucked. Ever since April moved out, we had become horny teenagers needing to have each other every time we could. I think it was just us making up for all the lost time.
But it could also maybe be part of the pregnancy.
"Go get dressed!" April yelled, waving her hands. "You're going to be the reason that we're late. I'm still new to the group, and it won't look good for me."
Cayden turned, heading back down the hallway, and I couldn't help but laugh as I turned, pouring myself a glass of water. I grabbed my vitamins and started to take them. April started to tap her foot, shaking her head.
"April, we're not going to be late. The party doesn't start for another forty minutes."
April sighed. "I know. I'm just nervous."
I raised an eyebrow at her. "Why? You've hung out with the group before."
She straightened herself. "Yes, as Cayden's sister who was just divorced. I would like to be looked at like a person rather than a divorce."
I understood that since moving out, she's been making a life for herself and doing a good job at it.
"Well, I don't see you like that."
April smiled and walked over, leaning onto the island. "Thank you." She sighed, "So, how are you feeling today? Have you been able to hold everything down?" April's eyes went to my stomach. I was four months along now. Everyone kept telling me this was when it got good, but I wasn't so sure that was true. I'd been having morning sickness still, and I was over it. I wanted to get the glowing part everyone kept talking about.
"I've been able to keep things down today. I'm really looking forward to some good food and time with everyone." I pushed off the counter and walked towards the living room where the gift for Zayden sat.
"What did you get Zayden?" I asked, grabbing the bag and pulling it up.
"I got him a bubble-blowing machine. What did guys get him?"
"We got him some new clothes. Wendy said he's growing out of everything so quickly."
"Well, you'll know the feeling soon enough."
I rested my hand on my stomach, knowing that was true. I would be.
"All right," Cayden said as he came down the hallway with his arms out. I'm dressed. I have pants and a shirt on. Are you happy, April?"
April glared at her brother. "You're going to be the reason that we're late."
"We're not going to be late," I corrected, walking over and sliding my shoes on. "And if you two are done bickering, we can go."
We left and drove across town to the fire station. The station was decorated for Zayden's second birthday, and Wendy and Ayden looked like proud parents.
"Hey, thank you so much for coming," Wendy said, pulling me into a hug. "How are you feeling? You look great."
"I'm doing okay," I said, looking past them towards the inside of the fire station. Banners and balloons were everywhere. The kitchen was covered with food, and another table was set up for the gifts. There were kids all around, including a bunch from the daycare center.
"Looks like you guys had a good turnout," I said, feeling Cayden wrap his arm around my waist.
"We did; everyone came." Wendy's eyes went to April. April, I'm so glad you came to join us."
"Of course. Everything looks lovely." I watched as April's eyes scanned the crowd and landed on Thomas standing with Poppy.
Over the last few weeks, I noticed that she and Thomas had been talking a lot lately. I would need to ask her about it.
"I'm going to go say Happy Birthday to little Zayden." April slipped past us.
"Oh, before I forget. We have a bunch of clothes from when Poppy and Zayden were little that I wanted to give you."
I raised my eyebrows at Wendy. "Are you sure? You guys had some pretty cute outfits for them."
"Oh yeah, we've decided we want to wait before we have any more kids, and I would hate for the clothes just to sit when they could be used."
"Well, if you're sure, I would love them. Thank you." I looked over at the food, feeling my mouth water. "Would it be wrong to grab some food?"
Wendy shook her head with a laugh. "Not at all, dig in."
I thanked Wendy and Cayden and headed for the kitchen, grabbing some roasted potatoes. I softly moaned as I ate them, adding a scoop of cold salad to my plate. I looked over towards the living room, watching the kids running around.
"Okay, how about we all get settled to open gifts?" Ayden said, scooping Zayden up into his arms. "The birthday boy is excited."
Zayden laughed loudly, his eyes looking at the table of gifts.
I continued to eat while Zayden opened the gifts. Clothes and toys were being ripped from bags. Zayden's eyes sparkled with happiness, and I suddenly placed my hand on my stomach, picturing us doing the same thing.
"You okay?" Cayden asked as he looked at me. "You look like you're going to cry."
I wiped my eyes, shaking my head. "No, these are happy tears. I just…I never pictured this would be my life. Being married and pregnant. Having friends that throw parties for their kids. That seemed like the impossible not too long ago."
Cayden wrapped his arm around my waist again and kissed the top of my head. "I'm glad you're happy because that's all I want for you."
I squeezed him back, looking at the rest of everyone. Ashley and Wendy were going through Zayden's new clothes. Ayden and Owen were holding Zayden up, tickling him. Lucas and Miles were looking at the toys that Zayden already opened. Gina and Laura picked up the wrapping and threw it into a bag.
“Thank you,” I whispered to Cayden, leaning against him. “For everything.”
“Look,” Zayden cheered happily as he opened the bubble machine April had gotten him. April blushed as Zayden ran up to her and hugged her.
I sighed. “You think she’s going to be okay?”
Cayden nodded his head, kissing the top of my head. “Yeah, she just needs time.”
I placed my hand on my stomach and took a deep breath in. Cayden wrapped his arms around me, and I felt safe. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Speaking of time, do we want to tell everyone we are having twins? You said you wanted to wait until you were a little further along before announcing.”
I nodded my head. “Yeah, but not right now. Let Zayden have his day.” I felt his hands tighten around me.
I knew this was a blessing and was so grateful for it. I had a life I never thought I would have.
*****
THE END