17. Epilogue - Easton
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since I convinced my wife to go on a date with me.
So much has happened since then.
Cade is one this week, Vivi is two months pregnant with our second child, and Lisa has finally reached out to us.
She’s doing well, in the middle of organizing going back to school, and is ready to see Cade.
“When is she getting here?” Vivi asks from the couch. “I didn’t think it was for a few hours yet.”
“It’s not. I’m waiting for a delivery.”
“What have you ordered now?”
The exasperation in my wife’s voice is warranted. I’m always ordering something. Strange how I never would have thought myself a shopper but I have to say, when we spend time in any large city, it’s me heading to the mall, not Vivi.
“Easton?”
“Just a few more things for Cade’s birthday.”
“You promised you were done!”
I hear her stand and head my way but I don’t turn around. “It’s not toys.” Even I can admit I’ve gone overboard there.
“Then what is it?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” I say as I watch the delivery truck come up the drive. “Give me a minute.”
I don’t wait for her to agree, I’m heading for the door to intercept the driver before he rings the bell and wakes?—
Cade’s cry echoes through the room.
Too late. Little man is up from his afternoon nap. I swear, they’re getting shorter and shorter. In no time at all he’ll be refusing to have them.
While Vivi goes and gets our son, I grab the package from the driver and take it to the kitchen. When the two most important people in my world find me, I’ve got twenty different colored toddler shirts spread out on the counter.
“What the hell, Easton?”
“I bought Cade a new shirt to wear at his birthday party.”
“That’s more than one shirt.”
“I couldn’t decide what color I liked best.” I smile at my frowning wife. “And this way he can wear one every day until he grows out of them.”
Shaking her head, she turns one around so she can read the front of it. “I’m the best big brother.” Her gaze meets mine. “I didn’t think we were telling anyone yet.”
I shrug. “I forgot about that.”
Vivi laughs as she comes around the island to hand me Cade. “Here. You can get his afternoon snack ready. I’m going to do the washing.”
I grin. She might not have been in on the decision to announce our impending addition but one thing I’ve learned in the year I’ve been married to Vivi is she accepts my quirks the same way I accept hers.
Don’t get me wrong, we have our heated discussion when I overstep. And let me say, makeup sex with Vivi is a highlight of married life.
Then again, any sex with Vivi is a highlight of married life. I grin. Highlights are a daily thing in the Ralston house.
“Da da.”
Looking down, I smile at the other highlight of married life. I never thought I’d be one of those gushing fathers, but Cade has proven me wrong.
I can’t wait to share all his milestones with anyone who’ll listen. Even those that don’t. I am a proud daddy and I won’t apologize for it.
Speaking of being a daddy. I pull out the other t-shirt I bought. This one is for me. And if I know my wife as well as I think I do, she’ll be laughing her ass off when I put it on for Cade’s birthday party.
It’s in my favorite shade of blue, the one that matches Vivi’s eyes, and across the front in white block letters it reads –