Epilogue
Ryder
T he elevator dings and I step softly into the penthouse, grateful for a little warmth. Outside, December winds sweep the streets, and after tonight’s game I count myself lucky I still have the energy to make my way home safely, much less generate extra body heat.
Slipping off my coat and shoes, I pad past the dining area into a room looking something akin to a holiday magazine. Christmas jazz is playing while the gas fireplace illuminates a mantel decorated with stockings, candles, and an evergreen garland. Everywhere I look there are touches of Christmas—twinkly lights, holiday pillows, and a massive tree.
As much as I love the holiday upgrade to my penthouse, my attention is caught on the pack-and-play sitting squarely in the middle of the plush carpet in the center of the room. Peeking my head over the little walls, I find a swaddled bundle with eyes scrunched shut, emitting soft little baby breaths. I stare for several seconds, torn between wanting to pick her up and not wanting to wake her.
“Hey, I didn’t hear you come in.” Everly’s soft exclamation captures my attention as she steps out from behind the massive tree just a few feet away. I can see boxes of ribbons and lights spread around the base where she has clearly been at work. I straighten up to kiss her and then loop an arm around her waist so I can drag her with me as I plop down onto the couch.
“I saw the game on TV. How are you and the guys?” Everly asks. We chat for a few minutes as I fill her in before asking about her day.
“How are my girls doing?” I ask. She smiles at me as she rubs a hand up and down my pec.
“We’re doing great! I got more follow up on job offers today.”
“Yeah? Something interesting in there?”
“Well…,” she drags out the word with a smile. “ABC has been treating me well, but the documentary on the Mavs and the accompanying journal articles aired last month, and you know I’ve had a few offers come out of that. But today was the offer, Ryder. This is the one .”
Her voice is full of excitement and I push myself up from my half-reclining position so I can see her better. I can tell she’s ready to burst with news.
“What is it?”
“It’s ESPN. ESPN!!!! They want me to do photography for their online articles!” Everly’s squeal startles the baby and for a half second, and we freeze while we watch little Alaina make a sound somewhere between a coo and a squeak. A second later she seems to go right back to sleep, and I grab Everly’s hands while we both spring up to jump up and down in our own version of a victory dance.
I lean in close when I whisper to her, “Everly, this is incredible! You’re so amazing, baby! You deserve this!“ She launches herself at me with a huge kiss and then pulls away to tell me more about the job until her eyes grow serious.
“So, what do you think?”
I know exactly what she’s asking. These jobs require travel. Babygirl is only four months old, and Curves has been able to stay with her most of this time.
“Ev, you love your job. You’re very talented, and you’ve always given me one hundred percent support, even though my schedule is insane. So, I’m going to do whatever you and little Alaina need, okay?”
She smiles softly at me, and I pull her in for another kiss before adding, “I’ll pay for any nanny you want, any daycare… hell, we can have your Aunt Sharon move in with us if that’s what works, or we can buy a place next to my parents. You just tell me what you need, and we’ll work it out.”
Everly’s eyes tear up for a second, and she wraps her arms around my neck with a grateful whisper.
“Thank you!”
I hold her to me for a few seconds just savoring the feel of her, loving her touch, and when we inch back again, I plant my lips on her and show her everything I feel before adding, “You know I just said that to get you into bed, right?”
“Ryder!” She swats at my arm a lot harder than I expected, and I collapse back on the couch in surprise. She laughs, and I manage to catch her by the arm before she can pull fully away.
“Oh, no you don’t!” I wrestle her to me while she giggles, and then I settle her into my lap.
“I got you an early Christmas gift.” I whisper. Her answering gasp is reward enough, and I grin at her as she claps her hands and bounces on me.
“Yay! I love early gifts! Where is it?”
“Not now. After breakfast, tomorrow.” Her pouting lip only serves to turn me on, and I take full advantage as I roll her over beneath me and press my hips down.
“Hey now,” I cajole. “Don’t make me tell Alaina that her mom’s a bigger baby than she is.” But I see a vengeful gleam in her eyes and quickly realize I’ve underestimated my opponent when her look turns to one of innocent seduction. With a groan I seize her, and we spend the next hour researching and thoroughly proving she is indeed a fully grown and developed woman.
The next morning, I head out to warm up the car. Making it downstairs with Everly, Alaina, a properly packed baby bag and the stroller somehow takes a full thirty minutes, but after being a father for four months I’ve learned that this is probably what I can expect for the foreseeable future.
“Where are we going?” Every quips the moment we pull out of the parking deck, and I wave her off.
“Patience, woman. Why don’t you pick out some tunes for us?”
“So…it’s a long ride, then?”
I chuckle and let her stew in her anticipation for a bit. The penthouse is in the city, so it takes us almost an hour to reach our destination. We pull up to the familiar old house, and Everly’s confusion is palpable. This is the home where she and her aunt shared countless memories, the home they were forced to leave just a little over a year ago.
I take a glance at the back seat. Alaina’s fallen asleep, her little head drooping slightly to the side, so I pump up the heat and then walk around to Everly’s side of the vehicle. We stand there together with the door ajar, just staring at the building in front of us.
“Why are we here, Ryder?” she asks, her eyes scanning the familiar fa?ade.
Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pull out the deed to the house and place it in her hand. “It’s yours, Everly,” I say gently.
“You didn’t have to do this,” she says with a shaky voice. One look at the dawning joy on her face, and I know inside that actually, I did. I needed to do this. I wrap an arm around her as we stand side by side.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” I check my pockets again and pull out the key. “I figure it might be time to bring Aunt Sharon home. What do you think?”
Everly is fanning her face as she sniffs, trying to hold back tears. This is more than a house—it’s a piece of her past, a piece of her heart. And now, it’s hers to keep.
“Ryder, this is the best, sweetest Christmas gift anyone could ever give me. I just can’t believe you did this.” Her voice breaks on the last words, and I smile down at her.
“Merry Christmas, baby.”
“Merry Christmas!” She replies with enthusiasm and gives me a hard squeeze. “You’re the best, honey. You know that?” I just smile and return her hug.
“Can I call her now?”
“Of course. Call away.” We both shiver and get back into the car while Everly dials, and when she’s done convincing her aunt that she’s going to have her home back, I pick up Alaina and hold her in the crook of my arm as we walk inside.
Standing in the entryway, I stare at the empty space and picture a little Everly here, making memories in this home. I smile to myself as I imagine all the new ones we’ll make together as a family.
Dropping my free hand down into my pocket I run the tips of my fingers over the velvet box I’ve been carrying around for the last few days. Alaina is just starting to open her eyes, still nestled against my shoulder. Upstairs, Everly walks through the house calling out her plans for getting her aunt moved back in, and me? I’m looking at my future as I mentally count down the days to Christmas.
Pulling out the little box, I pop it open and stare at the engagement ring perched inside. A moment later I close the box and place it back in my pocket. There’s no need to spoil Everly’s “real” gift today. I nod my head with satisfaction. Christmas is still a few days away, and we’ve still got time for that. I take a deep breath and exhale on a smile as I look down into my daughter’s eyes. We’ve got our whole lives in front of us…and we’ve got time.
***
THE END