Epilogue
”Yo, dude! What”s up?” I exclaim as I initiate a video chat with my brothers, Cole and Bennett. The screen comes to life, revealing their faces. ”Man, it”s been too long since we”ve caught up like this.”
”Hey, Wes!” Cole grins, his eyes lighting up at the sight of me. Bennett nods in agreement, a smile spreading across his face.
”Seriously, bro, it”s awesome to see you guys,” I continue, my words tumbling out rapidly. ”I”ve got some news to share, but first, how”re things going with you?”
As we chat, I bring up Holidates – the dating app that our mom is an investor of and is responsible for re-introducing me to Presley and also Cole and his fiancée Amber. Despite our unconventional start, things have been amazing. ”Dude, you would not believe how great things have been going with Presley. I never thought I”d find someone like her on Holidates, but man, it totally worked out.”
Cole chimes in, nodding. ”Same here, Weston. Ya’ll know that’s how I met Amber also, and it”s been incredible. I honestly couldn”t be happier.”
My gaze shifts to Bennett, who seems a bit more hesitant than the rest of us. His brow furrows as he listens, and I can tell he”s feeling lonely. My heart aches for my little brother, knowing all too well the weight of that particular emotion.
”Come on, Bennett,” I urge him, trying to inject some enthusiasm into my voice. ”You should give Holidates another try. I mean, look at how well it worked out for both of us.”
”Yeah,” Cole agrees, his eyes full of sincerity. ”You never know what could happen. It might be just what you need to find that special someone.”
I can see Bennett”s reluctance, but I hope our words will convince him to take a chance on love. After all, life is too short not to experience the warmth of another person”s touch or the thrill of new connections. And with a little luck, maybe Holidates will help my brother find that missing piece.
Bennett sighs, running a hand through his hair. ”I don”t think so, guys,” he says, shaking his head. ”I”ve tried Holidates before, and it just didn”t work out for me. Plus, I really want to focus on my pro hockey career, you know?”
”Come on, Bennett,” I tease, with a playful grin. ”You”re not going to let a few disappointments keep you from potentially finding something awesome, are you? Besides, who says you can”t have both? A killer hockey career and an amazing partner?”
Cole chuckles and joins in the teasing. ”Yeah! Look at Weston and me. We”re living proof that you can have it all!”
Bennett rolls his eyes but cracks a small smile. ”You guys just got lucky. I”m not looking for love, okay? I just need to keep my head in the game.”
”Alright, alright,” I concede, lifting my hands in surrender. ”We won”t push you, bro. But just remember, sometimes love finds you when you least expect it.”
”Exactly,” Cole adds, giving Bennett a supportive pat on the back through the screen.
We share a moment of understanding, and I hope that despite his reservations, Bennett might eventually find someone who fills his world with love and laughter. For now, though, he seems content to focus on his livelihood and hockey, and I can”t fault him for that.
Just then, our attention is drawn to little Sawyer, who”s been playing nearby with his toys. I watch as he hesitates before letting go of Presley”s hand and taking his first wobbly steps towards me. My heart swells with pride and a surge of protectiveness as I hold out my arms, ready to catch him if he falls.
”Guys, look!” I exclaim, pointing the camera in Sawyer”s direction. ”Sawyer”s taking his first steps!”
Cole and Bennett lean closer to the screen, their eyes wide. As they witness this, their faces break into wide grins.
”Go, Sawyer! You got this, little man!” Cole cheers, clapping his hands.
”Wow, that”s amazing!” Bennett adds, his earlier reluctance momentarily forgotten as he’s excited for Sawyer.
Presley watches on with a proud smile, her strong arms at the ready in case Sawyer needs her support. ”You”re doing great, Sawyer! Keep going!”
I can feel my chest tighten with emotion as I watch our son take those first tentative steps. This milestone is something we”ll cherish, and it”s made even more special by sharing it with my brothers.
Sawyer squeals, his chubby legs wobbling as he takes another step toward me. I laugh, and my eyes well up with tears of joy. Presley”s voice is filled with encouragement as she cheers him on.
”Keep it up, buddy! You”re doing an amazing job!” she shouts, her assertive voice gentle and loving.
Sawyer, fueled by the support of his family, continues his brave attempts at walking. However, his excitement gets the best of him, causing him to lose his balance and topple over onto the soft carpet.
”Whoa there, little guy!” I chuckle, scooping him up into my arms as everyone bursts into laughter.
”He”ll be running around before we know it,” Presley says, grinning from ear to ear.
”Good thing you’re a pro athlete, bro,” Cole playfully adds. ”You”ll need those skills to keep up with him.”
”Hey, Sawyer,” Bennett pipes up, his face taking up most of the screen as he leans in closer. ”Just remember, if you fall, just get back up and try again, alright?”
”Thanks, Uncle Bennett,” I say on Sawyer”s behalf, giving him a nod and a smile.
”Alright, we should let you guys go,” Cole says, still grinning. ”But make sure you send us some more photos and videos, okay? We don”t want to miss anything.”
”Definitely,” I agree, glancing at Presley, who nods in agreement. ”We”ll keep you guys in the loop.”
As we end the video chat, I feel grateful for our family.
”Pres, we should capture this moment,” I suggest, nodding toward the phone. ”Maybe take a photo or video of us all now.”
”Great idea!” she agrees, her brown eyes sparkling.
We gather around on the floor, our arms wrapped around one another, smiling wide for the camera as we preserve this precious memory of Sawyer”s first steps. I’m incredibly fortunate to have these two in my life.
”Alright, buddy,” I encourage Sawyer. ”Let”s try this walking thing again, huh?”
”Sure thing, Dad,” Presley chimes in, mimicking a baby voice as she gives Sawyer an affectionate squeeze.
”Okay, here we go.” I gently help Sawyer to his feet, supporting him as he stands wobbly on his little legs. Presley hovers nearby, ready to catch him if needed.
”Come on, Sawyer,” Presley encourages, her strong and assertive voice softening just for our little one. ”You can do it.”
”Look at you go, man!” I exclaim as Sawyer takes a few more shaky steps with me holding his tiny hands.
”Yay, Sawyer!” Presley cheers, clapping her hands. ”You”re doing awesome!”
”Awesome” has never been more appropriate. As Sawyer continues practicing his newfound skill, I think about how far we”ve come as a family. From a surprise baby after a one-night stand to this beautiful, loving bond we”ve forged, it”s been an incredible adventure.
”Pres,” I say, looking into her eyes as we watch Sawyer teeter between us. ”I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for everything. For you, for Sawyer, and for the life we’re building.”
”Weston,” she replies, her own eyes shining with emotion. ”I feel the same way. We”ve come a long way, haven”t we?”
”Definitely,” I agree, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. ”And I can”t wait to see where we go from here.”
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