Epilogue #2
Once I had their number, I called them, knowing I would hang up the phone if they blamed Jay. Instead, I found two people devastated by the pain of losing both of their kids, even if one was still alive. We talked for a few weeks before I trusted them enough to tell Jay.
I’ve never seen him so upset, so scared since those days we were close to losing each other, and he was so in need to believe they loved him still. I could live with him being upset if it meant he was healing, if it meant he had his family back, a family that still loved him with all their heart.
In the beginning things were uncomfortable, because Jay’s brain was still telling him he was guilty.
Until they found a middle ground—Arianna.
Talking about her helped them to get closer again, and step by step, Jay took the opportunity to open up and share what he went through when Will died and after.
Since then, they’ve been talking on the phone basically every day, especially Jay and his mum.
They love sharing recipes, and everything about Arianna.
I go back inside the kitchen and pick Arianna up. It’s time to meet the grandparents. Because even if it’s not official, I consider Jay Arianna’s dad as much as I am.
He lives for her and for me, reminding us both how lucky we are to have found each other.
“Gaga,” she says to me, and I melt in a puddle of happiness, because she’s the cutest thing I’ve ever met.
I’m convinced she’s calling me, and that word means Dada.
While Jay is convinced she’s calling him.
I approach the three of them, still close in a tight hug.
They let go and turn to us, smiling faces despite the tears still filling their eyes. As soon as I’m close Jay takes Arianna from my arms and I place one around his shoulder to pull him closer.
I extend my hand for a shake, ready to welcome Margareth and Phil into my home, and instead I’m pulled into a hug. Margareth first, and when she pulls away it’s Phil’s turn. When he pulls away, Margareth speaks.
“Thank you for taking care of my baby when we couldn’t.”
Phil nods at his wife’s words.
“Also, we want to thank you for giving us our son back. We thought we’d lost him forever, and when you called, you brought us back to life.”
Another nod from Phil, and then a pat on the back that means everything to me.
Margareth’s words and Phil’s silent support are giving Jay strength, but also permission to live his life how he wants because they never judge him or us for being together.
“Thank you for giving me Jay. My life would be colorless if it weren’t for him. He gave me a family and a life I love, and I can’t thank him enough for crashing into my life.”
“Babe, I’m the lucky one.”
Another knock at the door, and Kai’s face appears soon after. He hasn’t changed much, but I have great respect for the friend he’s been while I was afraid to trust anyone.
“Dadumpy,” Kai says, the new nickname he created for me, a mix between dada and grumpy. His sense of humour hasn’t improved yet.
I roll my eyes at his silly jokes, while everyone else laughs. “I shouldn’t allow you to be here. You’re lucky you come bearing gifts.”
Shine and then Jeremy appear soon after him, bearing even more gifts.
“Hello everyone,” they say in a chorus, and then Jay is making the introductions.
I watch Jay wrap his arms around Jeremy, while the other man does the same to him. Then they lean against each other until their foreheads touche. Their mouths move, and though I can’t hear, the smiles on their lips are shining, so I relax.
Then Jay brings him to meet his parents, and they hug and kiss as if they’ve met before. Maybe Jeremy will benefit from having a family that loves him. I don’t know his story, but what I do know is that he’s still running away. Maybe there are people who can convince him to stay.
After that the attention goes to the queen of the house. Arianna has them wrapped around her little finger as much as she has us.
Kai comes to stand next to me, while I watch my house filled with people I love and respect. “I never thought you had so much domestic life in you.”
I glance at him, but for the first time he’s not joking. “To be honest, neither did I.” But now I can’t imagine my life any differently.
“You did good. Very good. You make me believe that everyone can.”
Another glance at him, and his face is not the usual happy-go-lucky face.
I bump my shoulder against his. “Maybe your unexpected can transform into something more.”
“Maybe.” He’s back to his usual self.
“Thank you for everything you did to make my unexpected become something real.”
“Stop thanking me. Like I said, friends are here to help each other.” Then he’s the one bumping his shoulder against mine, before going to take his fill of Arianna’s bossiness.
We’ve invited all those people we love and who have helped us keep this family intact.
I can’t ever thank Kai enough for caring for Jay when he was hurt.
I can’t forget Shine’s hard work and the way he protected Jay when I couldn’t.
And Jeremy… he’s a brother for Jay, and an uncle for Arianna.
Now that he’s in a better position, he’s as childish as she is, and he loves playing with her.
When Jay and I need a night off we ask Jeremy to stay with her.
It doesn’t happen often because we can’t stay away from her for more than a couple of hours.
But it’s nice once in a while to have Jay all to myself.
To be honest, spending our time sitting on the sofa after Arianna goes to bed is one of my favourite moments of the day.
Having Jay so close and all for myself is what miracles are made of.
Sometimes my head goes to dark places and I’m reminded of what my life would have looked like if Jay and I hadn’t met.
Jay came into my life unexpectedly, but there’s nothing I’ve ever been more grateful for.
I raise my head and notice that we’re under the mistletoe, so I push Jay’s chin up with two of my fingers.
His sparkling eyes full of happiness and peace make my heart and body sing.
I lean in, and place a soft kiss on his parted lips before swiping my tongue to taste him.
I pull back before it can turn into an inferno, and whisper on his now wet lips.
“I love you, Angel. Thank you for finding and saving me.”
“Babe, thank you for giving me everything I ever wanted.” He leans in and his mouth meets mine. “I love you too. Forever.”
I pull back and place my arm around his shoulders, and he leans against me, sliding his around my waist.
We watch our family and friends interact with each other while they fuss around Arianna.
We’re happy. Genuinely, utterly happy. Probably because we never believed this was for us. Home. Family. Love. Instead, we built a life for ourselves, nothing was gifted to us. We worked hard and now we have something real, something lasting. Something that’s only ours.
Maybe one day, very soon, I’ll ask him to make it official, but today I want to bask in the happiness we’ve built with each other.