Epilogue
Full House
Gavin
For several months now, these supervised visits had all followed this routine. And Rebecca had shown up every time. She hadn't missed a single visit. And Charisse had been so happy to spend the consistent time with her mom.
Tonight would bring something new, though. In just a few hours, we'd have a night that Charisse and I hoped would change everything.
"You ready, bug?" I asked, glancing at Charisse in the rearview mirror.
"Yep." She unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed the small backpack she always brought—snacks, a book, sometimes a craft project. "Are we still going to Nonna and Poppy's for dinner?"
"Yep. Six-thirty."
"You're gonna do it tonight, right?" Her eyes were bright with anticipation. "You promised."
"That's the plan."
"And you have it? The thing?"
I patted my jacket pocket. "Right here."
"Good." She leaned forward against her seatbelt, lowering her voice even though we were alone. "You're not gonna chicken out?"
"I'm not gonna chicken out."
"Because Uncle Joey's definitely gonna say something. He always does. And that's when you should—"
"I know, I know. You already said that."
"I'm just saying. Timing matters." She grinned. "Don't be lame and mess it up."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"You're welcome." She opened the car door, then turned back. "Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm really excited. About tonight. About everything."
My throat tightened. "Me too, bug."
"Okay. Love you. Don't forget!" And then she was gone, jogging toward the library entrance where Linda stood waiting.
I watched them greet each other, the familiar routine, then the glass doors swallowed them both.
Four hours until pickup, and to make sure I didn't lose my nerve.
I reached into my jacket pocket and felt the small box. Still there. Still real. Tonight, everything would change.
I drove down the street to grab something to eat, then found a table inside with my laptop to work on the new Seaport office plans. My mind kept wandering to what was in my pocket.
I'd been planning this for two weeks. Ever since Charisse had looked up at me one night and asked the question that had been circling in my own head for months.
My phone buzzed.
Andi: How'd drop off go?
Gavin: Smooth. She's excited about dinner tonight.
Andi: Me too. Fair warning: Danny's bringing someone. Mom's already planning her grandkids' names, and the poor girl isn't even there yet.
Gavin: Charisse mentioned. She's looking forward to the chaos.
Andi: It's definitely going to be chaotic. Did you hear Joey bet Danny $50 that he wouldn't last a month with this girlfriend?
Gavin: lol. No! Not surprised though.
Andi: You sure you want to go? We could bail. Say you're sick. Say I'm sick. Or... our dog is sick!
Gavin: We don't have a dog. And not a chance. I'm looking forward to the crazy.
Andi: You're a brave man, Gavin Byrne.
Gavin: Or a stupid one.
Andi: Little of both... probably. See you at 6:30. Love you.
Gavin: Love you too.
I set my phone down and stared at my laptop screen without really seeing it. Months had passed since the verdict. In that time, Andi, Charisse, and I had really started building a life. And I was tired of watching Andi leave at the end of each night, going back to her apartment alone.
I wanted her to stay. Devon had called me out on it last week over basketball. "Just ask her already. We all know you want to."
He'd been right. They all knew. Hell, Andi probably knew too.
Tonight, I'd finally make it official.
Four hours after I dropped Charisse off, I pulled back into the library parking lot. She and Rebecca were standing near the entrance with Linda alongside them, waiting for me to park. Charisse was leaning into her mom, who was actually smiling.
Progress. That's what Linda called it in every report. Consistent progress. I got out of the car and approached. Charisse immediately bounded over.
"Dad! Look! We made origami swans!" She held up a slightly lopsided paper bird. "Mine's better than Mom's."
"I can see that." I looked past her to where Rebecca stood with Linda. "Everything go okay?"
"Very well," Linda said, making a note on her clipboard. "Charisse, why don't you put your backpack in the car? I need to talk to your dad for a minute."
Charisse skipped off, still clutching her swan.
"Ms. Walsh wanted to speak with you briefly," Linda said. "I'll be right here."
Rebecca stepped forward, looking tired but composed. "Gavin. Hi."
"Rebecca."
"I—um—" she exhaled. "I know it took a while, but I found a great job.
It requires some evening hours and maybe a weekend here and there—nothing crazy, just a little later than usual.
" The quick delivery made me think she'd probably rehearsed this.
"I wanted to give you a heads up that my schedule might be shifting. I'll update the co-parenting app."
"Okay. Thanks for letting me know."
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"And—" Her eyes darted away, then back. "I started seeing someone.
" A flush crept up her neck. "A therapist, I mean.
Beyond the court-mandated sessions." Her voice steadied.
"She's helping me understand why I've always put relationships first, even before Charisse.
" She glanced toward our daughter, who was examining her origami creation by the car.
"Still figuring things out, but I'm trying. For her."
I studied Rebecca's face—the shadows under her eyes, but also something clearer in her gaze than I'd seen in years. "That's good to hear. I hope it helps." I nodded toward Charisse. "She needs her mom."
Rebecca nodded and walked toward her car. I returned to mine, where Charisse was already buckled in and examining her origami swan.
"Still got it?" she asked without looking up.
I patted my pocket. "Still got it."
"Good. Don't lose it between now and dinner."
"I won't."
"And remember—Uncle Joey's gonna say something. He always does. That's your moment."
"I remember."
She looked up, suddenly serious. "You're gonna be great, Dad. Don't worry."
"When did you become the adult?"
"I've always been the adult in this relationship." She grinned. "You're just finally catching up."
The Grind came into view as I turned the corner, and I slowed without meaning to.
The patio was out. Man, it looked amazing.
I knew it would. Andi had texted me a photo last weekend after pulling the tables out of winter storage.
We'd only had about a month of use last year before the cold hit and we had to shut it down.
It looked better than I remembered. The afternoon light was cutting through at that low April angle, catching the string lights that ran between the wood beams. They weren't on yet in the daylight, but they'd be perfect when the sun dropped.
I pulled into a spot near the window. "Dad, I'm right in the middle of this chapter.
Can I wait here?" Charisse asked, already marking her place with her finger.
When I nodded, she pumped her fist in victory.
" Just keep your phone on you and keep the doors locked," I said, tapping the window.
"I can see you from inside." I got out and walked around the car.
Even though the temperature was barely above sixty, three patio tables already had people sitting at them.
That was Boston for you—the first hint of spring and everyone would rush to get outdoors.
Andi joked that if she didn't lock the patio furniture away, her regulars would drag the tables outside in snowstorms.
A familiar voice caught my attention. "She's inside."
Marcus leaned out from the service window we'd installed along the back wall, balancing an order pad in one hand while waving to Charisse with the other. My daughter had already rolled down her window to shout something back at him.
"Roll that window back up and keep the doors locked!" I called to her before turning back to Marcus. "Thanks."
"I've got my eye on her. The usual?"
"Perfect. Thanks."
"Five minutes," he said. "And a hot chocolate for the kid."
I nodded my appreciation and made my way to the entrance. The warmth hit me first when I pushed through the door — coffee and something baked. Both always managed to feel like her.
I spotted Andi at the far end of the counter, talking a customer through the menu with that particular patience she reserved for the indecisive. She clocked me immediately. "Give me a minute."
Marcus set the two cups on the inside counter by the service window. "People are loving the patio setup," he said, nodding toward the windows. I felt a small surge of pride at that. Then he glanced at me sideways and looked toward Andi before quietly saying. "Good luck tonight, man."
"Appreciate it."
"You got this." He picked up a rag and moved off. "Just don't overthink it."
Andi appeared at my elbow, apron already gone. "Ready." She glanced out at the patio—the low April light catching the string lights, the tables already claimed despite the cold. She stood there just a beat.
"First real weekend," I said.
She nodded, her smile soft at the edges. "Best one yet."
"Go," Marcus called from behind us. "I've got close."
Outside, I held the door, and we both paused at the edge of the patio. Looking at it now—the warm wood, the string lights, the happy customers—it was hard to believe that just a year ago, this had only existed in blueprints I'd drawn up to make her vision real.
She slipped her hand into mine, and we walked back to the car together.
Charisse looked up from her book when we got in. "Finally." Andi handed her the hot chocolate. "This is for you. Marcus said you'd need it."
"Yum! Thank you!"
By six-thirty, the Doyle house was already in full chaos mode. Cars lined the street. Kids' voices carried from the backyard. Through the front window, I could see bodies moving around the kitchen, the familiar dance of family dinner prep.