Epilogue
Giselle
Four years later
Giselle was so excited that she could barely sit still. Over the past four years, she’d had to learn to balance marriage,
motherhood, and school. It had taken a lot of tears, late nights, and hard work, but she’d done it. At age forty, she would
finally be getting her bachelor’s degree and starting her event planning business. Last year, with Shawn’s support, she had
quit her job to focus on school full-time. When she’d given her notice and stated her whys—lack of promotion, despite her
being able to do the work—her boss was, all of a sudden, willing to move her into a higher position. Giselle told her no thanks,
packed up, and walked out without a backward glance.
As promised, Taylor, Chanel, and Kam had helped her study and quizzed her for the exams. And Shawn, bless his heart, had been her loudest cheerleader.
He made sure she had the time to study by taking their son, Aaron—named after her father-in-law—out for two or three hours on the weekends, pitching in to cook—they had both gotten much better and enjoyed sharing the time together in the kitchen—and encouraging her when she felt she had nothing left.
“Giselle, why are you still sitting here? We need to get going. I want to get a good seat so I can see you walk across that
stage.”
She stood and wrapped her arms around her husband. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You did the work, and I’m so very proud of you. After the party tonight, we’re going to have our own private party.”
Giselle giggled. “I can’t wait.” Thanks to the support of her sisters-in-law, she’d learned to be more openly affectionate
with Shawn, and she couldn’t be happier. “Okay. Let’s go.” Her mother-in-law had picked up Aaron earlier that day. He would
go with his grandparents to the graduation and then spend the night with them. Her little three-year-old had been packed and
ready to run out the door as soon as he saw his grandparents’ car pull up.
“Nervous?” Shawn asked as they entered the parking lot at Cal State Long Beach a while later.
“A little, but I’m more excited than anything.” As they headed in the direction of where she was to wait, she spotted Tariq,
Kamryn, and Imani, as well as Taylor and Damon a ways off. The two had gotten married two years ago and were expecting their
first child. Giselle had been honored to plan both events. Mama Yvonne was beside herself with all the new babies being born,
and had made it clear to Damon that any children they had would be considered hers too. Giselle threw up a wave.
Shawn kissed her. “See you on the other side of the stage.”
He went one way, and she continued toward the waiting area. She had so much nervous energy, she didn’t know what to do with
herself. Finally, it came time for her group to be called.
“Giselle Antionette Bradley, bachelor of science in hospitality management.”
As she started across the stage, a loud roar went up from her family, and she heard Shawn yell, “That’s my wife!” She smiled so hard, her cheeks hurt.
When the ceremony ended, they stood around taking pictures and congratulating her. Afterward, they went back to her in-laws’
for the party.
An hour in, Taylor came and whispered, “Come with me for a minute.”
She followed her to Vincent’s old bedroom where Kamryn and Chanel were waiting. “What’s going on?”
“We got you a little something,” Kamryn said, handing her a gift bag.
Giselle dug beneath the colorful tissue paper and saw a new iPad and gasped softly. “Oh my goodness. Thank you, thank you.”
“We figure with all the new clients you’re going to have, you need a way to keep your schedule together,” Chanel said. “We
also had an event scheduling software program downloaded, so you’re ready to go.”
“Well, almost,” Taylor said. “There’s one other thing in the bag.”
She reached inside and pulled out a small box filled with elegantly designed business cards.
“These are so gorgeous.” She took a moment to steady her emotions.
Since the day she’d reconciled with Kamryn and strengthened her relationships with Taylor and Chanel, her life had been nothing short of amazing.
Her marriage was thriving, she had her sweet baby boy, and she’d finally learned to love herself.
She still had her moments of doubt, but some counseling and support from the entire Bradley family had helped tremendously.
Her own family hadn’t been too happy about the set-down from Shawn, and she rarely talked to them now.
However, these three women had become much more than mere in-laws.
“Thank you for giving me another chance to get it right. I can’t begin to imagine my life without you in it. I know we’re
sisters-in-law, but you are the sisters of my heart, and I love you all so much. Group hug!”
I’ve got all my sisters with me.