Epilogue
Wolf
T he squeals of about ten six-year-olds make me smile as I stand at the kitchen window watching Chloe and her friends during her birthday party. It’s been a year since Janelle and her kids came into my life. Jack was sentenced to thirty-five years in prison. Dillon and Abel did an amazing job testifying and so did my girl. The divorce was finalized a month ago and Janelle got down on one knee the day after proposing marriage to me. The kids all had parts in the proposal and it made me cry. I never thought I’d be here but I can’t stop smiling.
“Hey you.” Janelle comes up behind me and hugs me. “Are you ready to run yet?” she teases me as she kisses my temple.
“I might be.” I laugh. “They are loud.” I spin in her arms resting my hands on her hips. “But I’m not sure who is having more fun, Chloe and her friends or Hatchet.” We both laugh.
“One of things I always worried about when we first left Patrick was having a male presence in their life. The boys will have questions I can’t answer. You gave them a grandfather, lots of uncles, and a couple of cousins. Mallory and Wesley are amazing with the kids. I’m a lucky woman. I’m marrying my best friend who happens to be the love of my life and gaining a ready-made family.”
“And you gave me a new found reason for getting up in the morning. I’m also happy to be mama to the three best kids I know.” Janelle wipes a tear. I kiss her before we hear a bunch of kids yelling for cake. “We better get out there before someone tries to eat Rumble.” I grab the princess cake and walk out the sliding door. “Who is ready for some cake?” I singsong as I put it down on the picnic table.
“Mama! It’s a wolf princess just like I asked for.” Chloe wraps her arms around my legs. “I love it.”
“It’s your birthday and whatever the birthday girl wants, she gets.” I wink at her.
“Since it’s my birthday, can I get a baby sister?” Chloe’s big eyes are staring up at me.
Rumble barks out a laugh. “I think you and the Mrs. are missing the one part to do that.” My brothers laugh as I death glare them.
“What part are they missing Rumble?” Chloe stares back at him with that childlike awe.
Rumble begins to stutter then yells, “We should be singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to our girl so we can eat cake.” Chloe easily distracted with sugar goes back to being the star of the show. I can’t stop the smile on my face because my life is perfect. I got the girl, the kids, and my family by my side.
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