Epilogue
Maren
“Mama, wook!”
I look up and find a small bass fish flopping around on the end of Theo’s line. “Great job, Theo,” I encourage, getting up from my chair to go over and take photos of his first catch.
“Smile, little dude,” Camden states, grinning from ear to ear.
“Cheese,” Theo proclaims, doing everything he can to hold up the line and the pole.
“Now one with Cam too,” I state, taking a step back so Camden can get in the frame.
“Yay, Daddy!”
Everyone stops moving. All eyes turn to Theo. Camden, bless his heart, barely breaks stride as he steps into position. He smiles for the photo, and there’s no missing the tears swimming in his eyes.
I don’t even know if I’ve framed up the photo correctly, because I can barely see through my own wetness gathering in my eyes. “Great job, guys.”
“Unca Cade, wook!” Theo hollers, running toward Camden’s brother to show him his fish.
“Hold up, little dude. We don’t run with a fish when the hook is still in his mouth,” Camden states softly. “Let me show you how we take the hook out, and then you can carry the fish over to Uncle Cade.”
“’Kay,” he says, watching intently as Camden shows him how it’s done.
“Now, he’s really slippery, so I’m going to show you how to carry him. Don’t get near his mouth,” Camden instructs.
“Or he bite me?”
“He can bite you, yes. You also have to be very careful of his gills and fins. They’re sharp.” Camden takes his little hands and demonstrates how to hold the fish properly. “When you walk with the fish, you have to walk very slowly and pay close attention to where you’re going, all right?”
He nods, looking down at the slimy fish in his hands.
“Okay, you can go show Uncle Cade now.”
We both watch as he gingerly heads toward Cade, who is grinning from ear to ear as he approaches. It’s quite comical, actually, because Theo looks like he’s tiptoeing up on someone and about to scare them.
And then it happens.
He stops behind Lizzie and puts the fish right next to her ear. “Rawrrr!”
Everyone cracks up laughing, and Lizzie, even though she knew he was there, pretends to jump and screech. “You scared me!”
Theo throws his head back and laughs before continuing on to where Cade stands.
“He’s amazing.”
I glance to Camden. “He is.”
I can tell he’s still processing what was said a few moments ago, so I wait him out.
Finally, he pulls me into his arms and hugs me tightly. “Hearing him call me Daddy for the first time…” He shakes his head before adding, “I’ll never forget this moment.”
I brush my thumb over his cheek and lean in for a kiss. “Thank you for being his daddy.”
“There’s no greater title in the world than Daddy and Husband.”
“Soon,” I reply with a chuckle. There’s a wedding planned for the Fourth of July weekend.
We’re doing everything at the rustic barn where Oaklee and Cade had their reception.
It’s a little rushed, considering it’s already approaching Memorial Day, but neither of us wants to wait.
And with a baby on the way, I’d rather get married as soon as possible.
“Can’t wait.” He brushes a kiss across my lips and places his hand on my belly. “For this either.”
That’s our secret, at least for a little bit longer. Until we share the news, it’s just the two of us who know.