Epilogue
PENNY
Years Later
Fiona sets up the last of the centerpieces on the table, then wishes me luck before heading back to her shop.
“Are you ready?” Greyson asks.
“I’m ready!” Charlotte enthuses as she rushes over to the table and sets a stray flower at a place setting.
Greyson places a hand on the small of my back. “And you?”
“I’m a little scared, but I think I’ll be fine.”
After the birth of Charlotte, I reached out to my kin to see how they were doing. My grandma had taken a fall and was in the hospital, leaving them struggling.
Without a second thought, Greyson took care of the expenses, ensuring they wouldn’t suffer. After that, we started corresponding more regularly, and now, years later, we’ve decided to have a family reunion at the ranch.
My four siblings, Jeb, Rach, Jess, and Sydney, are bringing their eleven children and spouses to stay for the day, along with my grandma, who is now confined to a wheelchair.
“Momma, Momma! Cars!” Charlotte yells, her tiny face smooshed against the window.
I go outside to find six cars parked outside. My nieces and nephews burst from the vehicles first, rushing over to say hello.
I’ve only ever met them through video chat, but I know each of their names and their hobbies, and was able to buy them each presents they would like.
We exchange hugs and Greyson leads them inside with Charlotte as I wait for my siblings.
They approach sheepishly, pushing Grandma in her chair. I can tell by their expressions that they’re a little embarrassed. Not just by my wealth, but because they’d essentially abandoned me when I needed them the most.
But that’s okay because everything worked out.
We exchange hugs, and I bring them inside.
“Your place is huge!” my niece Francesca says.
“It belongs to Papa Prosper, Greyson’s father. He was nice enough to let us use it for the gathering.”
We talk until food is served, then dine on endless courses, each of them top quality. Afterward, we retire to the lounge and reminisce about our childhood.
“I’m sorry for not taking you in all those years back,” Gran says. “Rach and Jess were already living with me,” she nods to my two sisters, “and I figured that since you were over eighteen, you could make it on your own.”
“I guess it was hard for everyone, but luckily, it all worked out in the end.” It’s true, but it still stings a little.
“I’ll say,” my brother Jeb scoffs. He’s been the most sullen of them, looking bitterly around the lavish home that belongs to my father-in-law. More than once, he’s made ‘must be nice’ comments regarding the food and the staff, which I’ve ignored.
Sydney rolls her eyes at Jeb’s comment and whispers, “Ignore him.”
I force a smile because I don’t want to make the situation awkward, but the way Greyson is looking at my brother has me worried.
“Can I see the horsies, Uncle Greyson?” my niece Claire says.
“Of course!” He leads everyone out to the fields, and the kids get to pet the horses and even ride Grumpy, a pony Greyson said was named after me.
“It must be cool to be married to a real cowboy!” another niece named Carla says.
“Especially one who has millions,” Jeb sneers.
“Excuse me?” Greyson practically growls.
“It’s just that it must be nice not to have to worry about money like us normal folk.”
“Well, I’ve put in 60-hour workdays since I turned fourteen, so if you think my life is easy, you’re wrong.
And if you were referring to your sister, before Charlotte was born, she was doing the same.
So you can be mad all you want, but don’t think for a second that I’m not pouring buckets of sweat into this ranch to keep food banks stocked, community gardens growing, and dozens of people employed. ”
Jeb’s throat jumps, and he takes a step back.
“Now, do you have anything else you’d like to say?”
Jeb shakes his head like a scolded child.
“Good.”
As evening draws close, my family hugs me goodbye. Most of them live within an hour of me, but I don’t think I’ll see them much, and I’m fine with that. I’m pretty sure they are too.
“Sorry about what I said to your brother,” Greyson says after they’ve left.
“You know what? He earned it.”
“I suppose he did, but I can see where he’s coming from. It must be hard to see people doing so well.”
“I don’t even think he’s mad that you’re rich. I think he’s upset because I married you and he thinks I have it easy.”
“Little does he know how hard I am to put up with.”
“Hey, I’m the grumpy one,” I tell him, poking him in the ribs.
Instead of having one of the many workers come to clean the banquet area, Greyson and I work together, having Charlotte help with smaller tasks.
She’s well-behaved for being only four, because while the Prosper family is loving, they’re strict with their chores.
Everyone does their job, or it all falls apart.
When we’re done, Greyson grabs two glasses of wine and joins me by the fire. He hands me a glass.
“No, thank you,” I say with a soft smile.
He tilts his head suspiciously. “It’s your favorite blend.”
I cup my belly. “I’m afraid I’ll have to wait.”
“No!”
I nod enthusiastically. “Yes!”
He’s on me in a flash, wrapping me in a big bear hug that’s so tight I can hardly breathe.
“Daddy!” Charlotte whines. “Stop acting like a monster!”
“Can I tell her?” he rushes out.
“Go ahead.”
“Guess what, sweetie?”
“What?”
“You’re going to be a big sister!”
Charlotte’s jaw drops. “Really?”
“Yep!”
“Yayyyy!” she squeals, jumping up and down and clapping her hands.
We ride the high of baby love for a good hour before we finally crash. Charlotte is brought to her bed by Papa Prosper, exhausted from the excitement of meeting new cousins.
I curl into Greyson’s arms, listening to the beating of his heart.
“I hope you know how much I love you, Penny.”
“I’ve had a hunch.”
Warm and cozy, we fall asleep knowing that from now until forever; we have each other.
The End