Epilogue #2
After she got sentenced to life, I was given full custody of TJ, and it had been such a joy raising my son.
As bad as this may sound, I was thankful that his mother was no longer in his life because she was a mental case and not good for his health.
The morning that Monica stabbed Dawn, TJ was in the car waiting for his mother.
He wound up witnessing the entire attack, which was something no child should ever see.
Had he been older, I probably would’ve had to take him to some kind of kiddie counseling.
Thank God he was still a toddler at that time because his mom could’ve fucked up his mental with her actions that day.
I hated how reckless Monica was and would never be able to forgive her for what she did.
Now that she was put away for life, I was thankful that TJ wasn’t going to have to grow up with the influence of her negativity in his life.
It took some time for Dawn to soften up to TJ after losing our daughter, and I totally understood that.
I did my best despite what I was going through mentally to be patient with her.
I was glad I did because it was now paying off.
We were now days away from Dawn being TJ’s adopted mom, and we all couldn’t have been happier.
Our family was growing and getting stronger by the day.
I was most thankful for my cousin Kevin.
I owed it all to him because had it not been for me helping him move Ava a few years back, I would have never met Dawn.
When I almost lost her, I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it.
Once she was released from the hospital and our baby girl was buried, I proposed to her.
Marrying who I believed was my soulmate, I vowed to never let anyone, or anything ever hurt her or our family as long as I had breath in me.
We were going to be okay.
Kevin
The day Dawn got stabbed, it put a lot into perspective for me, and it was a life changer for Ava and I instantly.
I had been a very patient man for quite some time, allowing for her to go through all of the motions that she needed to go through after her divorce and then from Shane dying.
But when we almost lost Dawn, something in me changed forever, and I went from living life day by day to living like every day was my last. I had waited so many years to finally make Ava mine that at first, I was okay with taking things slowly, but not anymore.
Even though things were progressing at a good pace, I sped it up by proposing to her.
Shortly after we got engaged, Troy and Dawn became engaged, and the next thing I knew, we were planning a double wedding and honeymoon together.
The four of us had become closer by the day.
Ava and I supported Dawn and Troy as they grieved the loss of their baby girl.
As a result, we all had become inseparable.
A few months after we got back from our honeymoon, Ava made me the happiest man again when she announced that she was carrying our child.
When I thought about how far we had come together, in addition to all that we had gone through over the years, I wouldn’t change a minute of it for the world.
In the beginning, we were off to a rocky start no doubt.
I thought that Ava’s ex Justin was going to be a constant problem for us, but after I roughed him up, he eventually faded away.
I was very thankful for that. Dawn and Troy weren’t so lucky when it came to Troy’s ex Monica.
I always knew the girl had issues, but none of us were ready when she tried to kill Dawn while she was pregnant.
I remember thinking and praying, asking God to help us all get through the tough times, and he not only showed up for us, but he showed out.
I had sold my house then moved in with Ava, but after the wedding, I surprised her with a new house.
Ava decided to rent her condo out, and I was fine with that.
She wasn’t ready to part with her new place just yet, and I understood where she was coming from.
When I showed her our new home, she was ecstatic.
It was the perfect size to start our family in.
It had four bedrooms and three baths, and the yard was one of its best features.
The backyard was Bully’s favorite part of the house and mine, too.
I couldn’t wait to get my grill and smoker set up so that we could start having barbecues. Then just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, and as soon as we got settled into our new home, Ava surprised me with a positive pregnancy test. Ever since, I’d been living my best life.
Today, we were on the last day of our anniversary vacation that doubled as a baby moon also. Ava and Dawn were laid out in the sun while Troy and I were attempting to learn how to surf in the ocean. Life was great for us all, and I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for us next.
Ava
“I’m starving, so I hope they’re almost finished. I don’t know how much longer I can wait to get something to eat.” I complained as I watched Troy and Kevin fall for the hundredth time off their surfboards.
“I know, I’m starving, too. Maybe we should go ahead and flag them down to see if they’re ready to eat. They’ve been out there for hours,” Dawn suggested.
We both struggled to get out of our chairs, then walked toward the water. When Troy and Kevin noticed us, they ran over to us.
“We’re gonna go get something to eat,” Dawn said to Troy as the guys walked up to us. “Are y’all done falling off the boards yet?” That caused us all to laugh.
“Girl, don’t front! You know we looked like professional surfers out there,” Troy responded.
“Oh, please, a couple of times I thought I was going to have to jump in the water and help save you. Y’all looked a hot ass mess out there trying to surf,” Dawn roasted, causing us all to laugh again.
“I worked up an appetite for sure. I think I’m done playing in the water for the day. I’m ready to fill my belly then play with my wife and enjoy our last night here,” Kevin said, wrapping his arms around me then giving me a kiss on the lips.
“Y’all don’t start that kissy face shit!” Troy teased. “Come on, baby, let’s head inside.” He took Dawn’s hand as the two of them walked off toward the hotel.
Kevin and I stood back for a few seconds longer, holding one another and looking out at the water.
“What a beautiful sight,” I beamed.
“It is, but not as beautiful as you are,” Kevin responded.
Taking me by the hand, I let him lead the way as we tried to catch up to Dawn and Troy.
My life was now complete. I had an amazing husband, a beautiful home, and I was blessed enough to share the same milestones with my forever best friend, my sister, and her amazing husband Troy.
The four of us had come so far, and there wouldn’t be any stopping us anytime soon.
THE END