Epilogue
Half a dozen fluffy dandelion tufts greeted Wilder as he stepped into the yard, their bright, puffed-up forms standing out against the soft green grass. It was as if nature itself had decided to join in the cheerful mood of the morning. Wilder smiled, bending to inhale their sweet, familiar scent before continuing on to the chicken coop to feed the hens.
Behind him, Avery was in tow, her posture stiff and her movements as proud as ever, though Wilder could detect a hint of nervous energy beneath her usually composed demeanor. He turned and noticed that, much to his amusement, the tiny chicks trailing behind her mirrored her every step. Each one took after Avery in both attitude and stride—fluffing their little feathers and puffing out their tiny chests as they waddled in a haphazard parade. They were undeniably hers. Only Avery would expect her brood to follow such an aristocratic gait.
Delighted, Wilder couldn’t resist calling out, “Oh, my! What a lovely brood you have, Avery!” His voice was filled with warmth and genuine affection as he watched the chicks hop and dart around, tumbling over themselves with an innocence that only young creatures could manage.
Avery gave an exaggerated, self-satisfied cluck, settling down into the grass with a huff that seemed almost regal. She preened her feathers, fluffing them up even more, and cast a knowing glance over her shoulder at Wilder. The chicks, meanwhile, were far too preoccupied with the world around them, running to and fro like bits of cloth tumbling in the wind. They were clumsy, endearing, and utterly chaotic in their excitement.
“Ah, look at that! Anders! Anders, come look!” Wilder couldn’t help but exclaim, calling his husband to join him in this new, small joy. The sight was too charming to keep to himself.
There was a crash from inside the longhouse followed by the unmistakable clatter of footsteps, and then, moments later, Anders came rushing out. A rag was slung over his shoulder, and his hair, though still slightly damp from whatever task he'd been attending to, was tousled in a way that Wilder found infinitely endearing.
What, my love? Anders asked, his face a mixture of concern and curiosity. His hands were already moving in a flurry of gestures, eager to communicate, What is it? Are you okay?
Wilder couldn’t help but laugh at the dramatic display, shaking his head fondly. “Oh, I’m fine, Anders. But look at this! Our family’s grown—Avery has had her first brood! Aren’t they sweet?”
Avery ruffled her feathers smugly, puffing herself up even further as her chicks scurried in every direction, peeping excitedly. Wilder could feel his heart swelling at the sight, a perfect moment of simple joy in the midst of their busy life.
Anders let out a bark of laughter, his eyes lighting up with amusement. A mother now! If they’re all like her, she’ll have a time of it. His smile was teasing, affectionate.
The hen in question, naturally, wasn’t thrilled with this commentary. She let out an indignant, outraged bawk and stomped away, her small feet thudding softly against the ground as she tried to keep her little ones in tow. The chicks, oblivious to her frustration, followed her in a haphazard line, still peeping and stumbling after their proud mother. It was a moment so perfectly absurd that Wilder couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.
Smiling, he turned to Anders and said, “Our little home is getting very lively! Lambing season’s just around the corner, and the cows will be ready to calve at any moment—not to mention all the work with the garden... We’ll have our hands full, to be sure!”
Anders hummed thoughtfully, his expression soft and full of contentment. He crossed the yard toward Wilder, coming to stand beside him. With a glance at the chaos of the newly hatched chicks and the promise of more life soon to arrive on the farm, he simply said, I look forward to it . His expression was calm, but there was a glint in his eye, an excitement that Wilder had come to recognize as Anders’s quiet joy in the life they had built together.
Wilder, for a moment, just stood there beside his husband, watching the antics of the chicks and the comforting, steady rhythm of their small farm. He couldn’t imagine a life more fulfilling than this—full of love, hard work, and the promise of new beginnings. And with Anders at his side, he knew that no matter how busy or chaotic the days ahead would be, they would face them together, their hearts and hands united.