Epilogue
Veronica
Five years later….
The sound of giggles and high-pitched squeals fills the backyard, weaving through the trees and tugging a grin across my face.
“LUCAS VARGAS!” I call for my very feral and very stubborn son. One hand cradles my heavily pregnant belly, and the other shades my eyes from the sun. “If you run into that sprinkler with your shoes on, I swear you’re sleeping in those soggy wet socks tonight.”
The threat means nothing. He does it anyway, and I let him because he's five and it’s just water, not the god damn end of the world.
Though I do try to bring order into our very chaotic lives.
Never happens, though. Little limbs fly into the air, his wet curls bouncing with each jump.
His laugh always fills me with a joy that I never knew existed.
Lucas spilled light into my cracked soul, filling it with a love only a mother would know.
Some wounds never heal… they aren’t meant to. Instead, they bloom.
Laughter bubbles from within my chest as I watch him cautiously sneak around his aunties, Lex and Nixie, before soaking Sledge.
“Oh, it’s on, little man. My hands are rated E, for everyone.
” Lucas squeals and takes off running, his uncle taking off behind him with a half-inflated balloon sword in one hand and a water gun in the other. “Get back here, demon spawn.”
“He’s five,” Alexa deadpans from her spot, sipping a sangria as she quickly snaps pictures with her phone. “Demon energy is literally required. You might be too old. Careful, I don't want you breaking a hip before we get married.”
Her words cause me to look down at my hand, warmth spreading through me as I look at the delicate silver band that rests on my finger.
Shortly after we settled into a routine with Lucas, Isaac asked me to be his wife.
It wasn’t over the top or doubly romantic.
It was just us, changing a blowout. Gagging through the smell, I said yes.
We got married in a courthouse surrounded by all those who loved us.
Life has blessed us just as much as it cursed us, but I guess the sun is always somewhere shining even when it rains.
And now we always carry an umbrella just in case the clouds roll back in for more.
We face everything together, happy and in love.
It’s not perfect, but it’s our beautiful chaos.
Waddling towards my best friend, I say, “You'd better get life insurance, with the way that old man over there likes to fuck around.”
Alexa beams as I nudge her with my hip when I pass. My dress clings gently over the swell of my belly. At seven months pregnant, I find it hard to fathom that there’s more time when there’s no space in my body for her to grow in.
“You should be resting,” my mother butts in as she walks over to us with a water bottle in hand.
“Here, make sure you’re drinking enough water in this heat.
” And then turns her attention to where Sledge and Lucas play pirates.
“Oye mijo, here’s water,” she tells my son, walking away from us and heading straight towards them.
I open my water and take one long sip, letting the coolness refresh me.
“You are seriously glowing,” Alexa whispers, rubbing her hand along my stomach.
They keep saying that, and personally, I feel like an overstuffed eclair.
But I must admit, it’s a good kind of full.
The kind that makes you grateful for every little thing, including the bad.
The scent of grilled pinchos wafts from the corner of the yard.
Nelson laughs by the grill, fussing over something being burnt, but it all smells delicious to me.
Nixie walks by with her friends, discussing the latest drama.
Small friends of my son run along my backyard, racing to keep up with the bundle of energy that is Lucas Vargas.
My world. My family.
None of it was planned, but all of it was very earned.
“Having fun?” Isaac's familiar husky voice hums from behind me. I turn slowly, because I like to. Even after all this time, I still feel butterflies when I look at him. Iz stands with a Power Ranger cup in one hand, trying to cover the grease stain on his white tee. His curls are longer now, with a few strands of silver near his temples that catch in the sunlight. My love’s eyes haven’t changed.
Those hazel orbs still melt me like butter in a microwave.
“You have frosting smudged on your ear,” I point out, biting back a laugh.
He grins, shaking his head. “Impossible.”
“Oh, you sure do.” I motion to the blue spot on his temple, his fingers brush against it and he sighs.
“He got me good this time.” Referring to our son. This time the hopeless look on his face causes me to laugh. It’s barky, loud, and obnoxious. “You’re laughing, little traitor. The betrayal.”
“Do spare me the dramatics,” I tease, inching closer and wrapping my arms around my husband's waist. My head falls to his chest. “Happy birthday, babe.”
He snorts at my ridiculous yearly joke. It’s not really his birthday, I just like to tease him. “I’m not the one turning five.”
“You’re a dad. Every year is a survival badge.”
His arms tighten around me, careful not to squeeze me, as his other hand slips low to cradle the side of my belly, which stirs at the contact. Small kicks flutter into his waiting palm. “She’s kicking again.” “She likes your voice.”
Iz leans in, giving me his most seductive purr. “So do you.”
My gaze lifts to his waiting ones, and tears gather in my eyes, but don’t fall.
I had already cried enough this morning when Lucas opened his present and asked if he could call me 'Mommy' now. It’s his birthday, but I received the best gift—no longer his Ronnie, but his Mommy.
“Thank you,” I whisper. Isaac hums. “For?”
I let out a shaky breath. “For making space for me in your life.”
He leans down even more so he can kiss me, reminding me with the press of his lips that there’s no one else here for him. Or for me. As always, it’s like time stops just for us before it continues again. Iz pulls away slightly, whispering against my lips. “You were always meant to be a Vargas.”
My heart swells at his words, just as our son runs towards us, causing Iz to pull away and chase him through the yard with a squirt gun. Lucas’s giggles are music to my ears, and Isaac’s laugh is the melody of my soul.
And all I can think at that moment is.
I was always meant to be a Vargas…