Epilogue
Oliver
“Honey, I’m home!”
I frowned when I was met with silence.
Ever since we moved into this place, I’d been picturing things: the dog, the floors, the roof, and yeah, even some little squeals from miniature versions of me and Dean.
It was early, I reminded myself. It was early when we planned out our future too, yet here we were, living it.
The back door creaked open. Dean swore when he tried to close it and it got stuck.
“This goddamn frame,” he grumbled. Deciding to leave it open, he closed the distance between us with a smile that still made my heart beat like there was a goblin with a frying pan trying to beat his way out of my chest.
“You wanted a fixer-upper,” I reminded him.
“Mm.” He wrapped both arms around me and pressed a firm kiss to my lips. “What you mean is that a fixer-upper is all we’ll ever be able to afford.”
“One day, we’ll have the money to buy a mansion. But I’ll still want to keep this.”
I looked at the peeling paint and slightly warped floors. They were a pain in the ass, especially for Lee’s wheelchair, which was why we were tackling them this weekend.
After we convinced Dean’s parents to sell their house six months ago, we’d all used the money to get this project. It had four bedrooms, which was perfect. One for them, one for us, an office for me and Dean to share, and a guest room—also known as the nursery. One day.
It was better for all of us this way. We were a little further outside the city because it was cheaper and it allowed us to be close to his parents. It satisfied Dean’s need to buzz around and make sure they were okay, plus the place was big enough to ensure we had our own space.
Maybe it wasn’t exactly what we’d pictured in that cab two years ago, but in my opinion, it was better.
“Is Remi still coming for dinner?” he asked.
I frowned. “No. He’s in Florida, actually.”
“Florida? Wait, don’t tell me it’s about that baseball guy.”
“It’s complicated,” I sighed.
“That’s not going to end well, is it?”
“I’ll fill you in later. But first . . .” I bit my lip. “I did a thing.”
Dean raised a brow, waiting for me to go on.
“Don’t be mad, okay?”
“Uh, alright.”
I opened the front door and grabbed what I’d left on the porch. There was a little whine that struck me right in the heart.
“Are you . . .” Dean stared at the crate with wide eyes. “Is that . . .”
Setting it down, I opened the door and lifted the puppy out of it. His droopy eyes and wrinkly skin that was too roomy for his little body made me melt.
“Say hi to your new dad, Kevin.”
Dean took him from me, still looking completely in awe. “I thought we agreed to wait.”
“I don’t want to wait.” Leaning my head against his shoulder, I scratched Kevin’s ears. “Happy anniversary, Broku.”
“I mean, happy anniversary, but you’re a maniac. How are we going to do this with both of us in school?”
“Your dad already agreed to be the best grandpa in the world. Plus, your classes are mostly online. You think we’re going to be less busy when we graduate and decide it’s time for a baby?”
“Guess not.”
“Are you upset?”
He kissed the top of my head. “Never. God, he’s so wrinkly.”
I grinned up at him. “He’s absolutely perfect.”
“So are you.” Leaning down, he kissed me so softly that I had to question if this was real. “I love you, Oli, baby.”
“I love you the most.”
“Doubtful.”
“Well, I loved you first.”
He wrapped his arm around me, cradling Kevin in the other while we looked around at our house, at the old walls and peeling wallpaper, the pictures I’d hung a little lopsided, including the note I’d written for Dean the day he moved into my apartment, now framed so it would survive the years ahead.
This time, I had no trouble at all picturing the future.
It was full of laughter and the smell of good food.
Dragon Ball Z while we cooked together.
Kevin’s bark in the backyard and the screams of happy children being raised in a home more full of love than I would’ve thought possible before I became part of Dean’s family.
Complete and utter chaos, because that was what a happy home sounded like.
Home. It truly had the most beautiful ring to it.
THE END