Epilogue #2
Des struts a few steps back and spikes the football. He proceeds to do the most ridiculous dance I’ve ever seen from him. Something between a moonwalk and the funky chicken. “Stepdad Des for the win!”
“I wanna play!” Lulu wails.
“Lulu’s on my team!” Des cheers. He squats down so she can give him a double low-five. “Alright!”
“You’re going down!” Lulu taunts her siblings.
I could watch this scene all day, all year, until the end of time. In that moment, I feel this overwhelming gratitude that this gets to be my life. Married life has been magical. I get to kiss Des every day and share a bed with him.
Des jogs up and scoops me up in a kiss, all sweaty and warm and smelling just like home.
“Negative,” he says between our lips. “All tests negative. I’m curmudgeon free.”
I pull him into a life-affirming hug. I look at this man, study his beautiful features. Those thick eyebrows and full lips and eyes as transfixing as the ocean.
“I love you so much,” I say.
“I love you more.” Des grabs the football and spins it in his hands. “For dinner tonight, how would you feel about going out for ice cream?”
Dean and Lulu scream for pure joy.
“Daddy Des, you are acing this stepdad thing.” Davy bumps fists with him. We’re still working on the right name to call Des. Daddy Des started as a joke, but I think it’s sticking around.
Des gives me an impish shrug. He’s already said it aloud, and ice cream for dinner is one thing you can’t take back. I respond with an approving nod.
“Can we play more football first?” Lulu asks.
“Of course! I need my quarterback.” Des tosses her the ball and has her toss it back.
The two uneven teams get into starting positions. Des squats down, football between his legs. He pauses.
“Wait. Dad, you want in on this?” he asks.
“Dad is coming on our team,” Lena says.
“I’d love to.” I jog to my team and give them high-fives, then get into position. Des and I make moony eyes right before he hikes the ball to Lulu.
Lulu misses the catch, but we wait for her to pick up the ball. Hugging it to her chest, the football nearly as wide as she is, she scurries down the yard. Lena and Davy pretend to block her, but don’t put up a resistance when she darts around them. Dean jumps in front and swipes at the ball.
“Over here!” Des calls to his teammate.
He moves behind back and takes the ball in a surprisingly agile play. Oh, he’s really going for it. He’s running to the end zone designated by our old sprinklers. I catch up to him, and we tumble to the grass, followed shortly by our kids. It’s one big pile.
I’m laughing so hard, I can barely catch my breath.
Lulu jumps onto my chest. “Daddy, we’re having ice cream tonight! My wish came true!”
“Mine, too.”
Des extends a hand and helps me up. I lean against him, tip my head against his shoulder, and watch our kids set up the next play.
I can’t wait to grow old with this man. I can’t wait to attend high school graduations and hockey games and college graduations and weddings and recitals and school plays with this man.
I can’t wait to go wrinkly and gray with this man.
I can’t wait to argue about turning down the thermostat with this man.
I can’t wait to experience the highs and lows and mundane middle of life with this man.
The best is yet to come.
Thank you for reading!