Epilogue
Five Years Later
Hunter
The house hums with the sound of laughter and constant conversation, the kind of madness that only comes when the entire family gets together. Plates clink, chairs scrape, and the smell of roasted chicken, mac and cheese, and freshly baked rolls fills the air. It’s pure chaos, but it’s our chaos. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Alice stands in the kitchen, her sundress hugging her curves and showing off her growing belly. She’s radiant, moving around the room like a goddess, despite Splat trying his best to get her attention by biting her feet.
“Splat, you menace,” she says, nudging him with her toe. “You’ve been fed. Twice.”
The cat meows indignantly, not at all deterred.
“You know,” Knox says from the other side of the counter, “I think he’s just waiting for the mac and cheese. I know I am.”
“More like he’s waiting for Alice to give in and drop something,” Wilder says, swiping a roll off the counter as he walks by.
“Wilder!” Alice exclaims, catching him in the act.
“What?” He grins at her like a mischievous kid caught sneaking candy. “I’m saving a roll from Splat. See? I’m helpful.”
“Helpful?” Miles snorts, stepping into the kitchen to grab the platter of chicken. “That’s a stretch. Let’s not forget who dropped the last plate of deviled eggs at Christmas.”
“That was one time,” Wilder protests, but his grin doesn’t fade. “And I saved most of them!”
“Off the floor,” Harper chimes in as she comes in behind Miles, grabbing a bowl of salad and moving it to the dining table. “I’m still not sure why we let you near the food.”
“I’m offended,” Wilder says, clutching his chest in mock outrage. “As the oldest, I’m a crucial part of this family operation.”
“You cause most of the messes in this family,” Clara says, breezing by with a tray of glasses.
Knox leans against the counter, watching his wife Scarlett help Clara and Ethan’s little girl color in her new coloring book. “And yet, somehow, people think he’s the most serious-minded of all of us.”
“You guys done?” I ask, stepping in to rescue Alice, who’s trying to keep the chaos from spilling into full-on mayhem. I rest a hand on her back, feeling her lean into me for a brief moment before she goes back to finishing dinner. “Alice has worked hard on this dinner. Maybe we can save the sibling arguments for after dinner?”
“No promises,” Knox says, grabbing a spoonful of mac and cheese from the table before Scarlett can stop him.
Scarlett shakes her head, muttering, “I’m married to a child.”
Alice laughs, the sound light and happy, and I can’t help but smile. She’s glowing, her cheeks flushed from the warmth of the kitchen and the sheer joy of having everyone here.
Dinner is served and the table is a sea of plates and hands passing dishes. Wilder and Ethan compete over who can tell the best dad jokes. The kids are at a smaller table, giggling and making faces at each other, and my parents sit with them, soaking it all in with quiet smiles. Which, if you know my mom, is a miracle.
As I watch Alice laugh at something Scarlett says, her hand resting on her belly, I lean close to her and whisper in her ear, “You look so sexy tonight.”
Her cheeks turn pink and she gives me a playful nudge.
“Hunter,” she whispers, glancing around to make sure no one overheard.
“What?” I say, grinning. “It’s the truth. I can’t wait for everyone to leave so I can have you all to myself.”
She bites her lip, trying to hide her smile. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m in love,” I say simply, squeezing her knee under the table.
When dinner winds down, the kids start to get sleepy and the adults slowly gather their things. Hugs are exchanged and promises to get together again soon are made. Wilder sneaks one more roll into his pocket, earning a stern look from Ivy.
Once the door closes behind the last guest, the house is quiet again. Alice leans against the doorframe, looking tired but happy. Splat hops on the arm of the couch looking relieved that everyone is gone.
I cross the room, wrap my arms around Alice, and pull her close. “This,” I say, kissing her temple, “This is everything I ever wanted.”
She looks up at me, her eyes soft. “Me too,” she whispers.
I rest my hand on her belly, feeling the faint flutter of movement beneath my palm. “And it’s only going to get better,” I promise.
She smiles, leaning into me, and it’s just us —the life we’ve built, the family we’ve created, and the future we’ll soon welcome.