Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER: LEAH
“ M iles!” Leah hurried after the little boy, who was giggling up a storm as he crawled towards the living room. “You still don’t have your other sock on!”
“It’s all right, honey.” Dan appeared behind Leah and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You know he’d just take it off anyway.”
“I know, I know.” Leah leaned back against him. “I just wanted him to look presentable for his party.”
As they watched, Miles stopped crawling and turned to sit on his hip. With one hand and his bare foot, he began pushing on his sock until it came off his other foot. Then he sent a mischievous smile back at his parents and continued to crawl. Leah and Dan burst into helpless laughter.
“I know he’s not actually plotting against us, but when he does that little smile, it sure seems like it.” Dan kissed Leah’s cheek.
“It does. How are the girls?”
“Kaitlyn is with your mom and Lydia is with my dad. Miles was the only straggler.”
“It sounds like we’re ready to party, then.” Hand in hand, the parents walked down the hall and into the living room. They were living in Dan’s penthouse. Leah had moved in only a week after giving birth, when they’d realized that doing so was the best way to support the babies. Since then, she’d slowly been redecorating the house with pictures of the triplets, souvenirs from family adventures, and colorful curtains until it looked more like a home than a bachelor pad.
The year had brought a lot more changes than just redecorating, though. Dan had delegated many of his work commitments to trusted advisors so that he could spend most of his time at home with Leah and the babies. Together, they’d flourished in parenthood. Sure, there had been a lot of late nights, and some days it had seemed like all the babies were crying at once. But there had also been magical moments: their first kiss after reuniting; the babies’ first babbles of “Mama” and “Dada”; Kaitlyn, always the boundary pusher, standing for the first time at only ten months old. And the nights after the children had gone to sleep, when Leah and Dan would sit on the couch, snuggled together, marveling at the amazing life they’d created for each other and their babies.
Today was another day of celebration — the triplets’ first birthday. The house was packed with both their parents, as well as numerous family members and friends. Everyone had rallied around them to help raise the babies, and Leah and Dan had talked about how this party was a way to not only celebrate the kids, but also to thank their community.
“Mama!” Lydia, the shyest and most cuddly of the kids, held up her arms to Leah as soon as they entered the room. She had been sitting on the floor beside Richard, who was absolutely glowing in the presence of his grandbaby. Leah crossed the room and swept her daughter into her arms.
“Hi, there. Happy birthday.”
“Mama,” Lydia said contentedly, snuggling into her mother’s chest.
“Who’s up for some cake and presents?” Dan asked. There were cheers.
The cake was chocolate, and the presents were a mix of toys and clothes for the babies, and toddler essentials for the parents. Leah and Dan surprised everyone by giving out another round of gifts — chocolates and perfumes and restaurant coupons, tiny tokens of their gratitude towards everyone who had helped them in the past year.
“I actually have one more small present,” Dan said as they wrapped up. Lydia was holding Leah’s leg, Miles was smashing chocolate cake onto his face, and Kaitlyn was standing with one hand on the couch, bouncing on her tiny legs in preparation to, perhaps soon, take her first steps. After making sure all her children were okay, Leah turned her attention to Dan. She wasn’t sure what this last present could be. She hadn’t played any part in picking it out.
“Leah.” Dan crossed to her and took her hands. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. You’re way smarter than me. You’re gorgeous. You’re brave and kind and thoughtful. And you’re the best mother in the world to our babies.”
“Thank you.” Leah’s heart was warm. Dan often told her how much he loved her, but it was extra special that he was doing so today.
“Ever since the day you gave birth to our babies, I’ve known that you’re the woman I want to spend my whole life with. I want to be by your side through every facet of parenthood and life. Leah Adams, would you make me the happiest man in the world? Will you marry me?”
Dan went down on one knee, a beautiful ring held up in one hand. Leah was so struck with joy that she could barely answer. Meanwhile, Lydia, interested in the fact that her father was on the floor, edged over and propped herself against his knee. Dan and Leah locked eyes and chuckled. Then Leah nodded.
“Yes. Of course I’ll marry you!”
Dan swept her into his arms for a short but passionate kiss. Leah was over the moon. Everything she’d ever let herself dream of had come true. All would be well with her big, beautiful family.
The End