SERIES EPILOGUE
— Five Years Later —
Edward Parker was a blessed man. There was no denying that. As he prepared to walk his last daughter down the aisle, he choked up, thinking of all those blessings. He wished his brother could be here but had come to terms with Pete’s death years ago. Edward was just grateful he’d lived through his own ordeal and could be here for this.
The organ music started, and he stepped up next to the lovely young woman in white.
“Hard to believe this is the last time I’ll do this,” he said, straightening his tie and holding out an elbow. “You ready, honey?”
“Yep,” Bella said, slipping her arm through his. “I’m the last Parker. Kind of sad to lose the family name, huh?”
“Yes, well. Nothing to be done about that,” Edward said. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. I wish your dad was here to do this.”
“Me too, Uncle Edward. But I’m glad I have you to fill in.”
At the first notes of the wedding march, the audience stood. He escorted Bella to the end of the aisle, kissed her cheek, and left her standing next to Kenny, the man of her dreams. After the ceremony, the hotel staff ushered everyone into a separate room for the reception.
“That was lovely, wasn’t it?” Sophie said, linking her arm in his.
“Not half as lovely as you,” Edward said. He planted a kiss on his wife’s lips when she smiled.
“We’re almost empty nesters again,” she said. “Any news on the remaining Ms. Parker?”
Bella had forgotten about one final Parker woman. “Actually, yes,” Edward said. “I was sworn to secrecy, and then I didn’t want to bother you with it because you were so busy with the setup and stuff, but Archie stopped by the office to officially ask for my blessing. He’s going to propose sometime tonight.”
“Think she’ll say yes?”
“Lordy, I hope so. They’ve been dancing around it for years. Might as well make it official.”
His mother approached them. She wore a beautiful pink gown and natural, boring gray hair. Much to his relief, she’d given up the bright colors a couple of years ago.
“You look gorgeous, Audrey,” Sophie said to her mother-in-law.
“Thank you, dear. The reception looks wonderful, as always. You and Kate do an amazing job.”
“Actually, Bella helped a lot. In fact, she’s talking about starting her own party-planning business. I think she’d be great at it.”
“Plus, then you can hang up your hat, Mom.” Lucy came up behind them.
“Yes. There’s that too,” Sophie said. “We should take our seats. They’ll be serving dinner soon.”
The Parker ménage had grown so much that they occupied three tables at the reception. Each of his daughters had multiple kids, and he and Sophie did their best to help wrangle them and get everyone settled.
Edward missed the regular family gatherings. Sunday dinners had been reduced to once a month. And now that there were in-laws to compete with, it was rare to have the whole lot under one roof. Even the holidays were hit or miss as to who would show up.
To compensate, Edward had started a tradition of lunch dates with his girls. Once a quarter, he’d pin them down and take them out. It had been a while, and he planned to carve out some one-on-one time with each of them tonight.
The salad had just been cleared when he saw his first chance. Three-year-old Olivia—Kate’s third—had escaped her parents and was running toward the door.
“Gotcha,” Edward said, swooping up the little girl and tickling her. Kate wasn’t far behind and smiled as she caught up.
“Nice save, Dad,” Kate said. “She’s become a runner lately, and it’s hard to keep up sometimes.”
“How’s it going, Katie?” he asked, still holding the squirmy bundle. “We haven’t talked for a while.”
“I know. Things are so busy. I’m working from home. Adam just purchased a new project—a twelve-unit apartment complex—but doesn’t start it for another week, so he’s around to help a lot. Ruby is taking a few steps here and there, almost ready to walk. And we just started Olivia on potty training.”
“Is Abby excited about starting kindergarten next month?”
“Oh, yes,” Kate said. “And your namesake, Little Eddie, starts preschool then too.”
“Well, you know what they say? Don’t blink. Seems like just yesterday I was wrestling you like this.” Kate laughed.
“Put me down, camp pa,” Olivia said. “I go baffroom.”
“Only if you promise not to run away from your momma,” he said.
Olivia promised, and he set her down. “I go potty, camp pa. Bye.”
Kate hugged him quickly, took her daughter by the hand, and waved goodbye. Edward returned to his seat just as the entrée was served. Daisy, Noah, and their three little ones—ranging from one to four years old—sat at his table. Edward placed himself between Daisy and Sophie and used dinner as an opportunity to catch up with his youngest.
“How are the rugrats?” he asked. “Keeping you busy, I assume?”
“For sure,” Daisy said, holding one-year-old Henry in her lap. “But it’s wonderful. And since I pivoted from travel info to a parenting theme on my vlog, the content comes effortlessly. Baby stuff, toddler stuff, mom stuff—there’s always a new and interesting topic to talk about. It’s been really fulfilling to get feedback from stressed-out moms who have learned something useful from the channel.”
“That’s wonderful, honey,” Edward said. “We missed you guys at last month’s Sunday dinner. I know it’s only been two months, but it seems like forever since we’ve seen you.”
“Oh, yeah. We drove up to West Virginia for Noah’s niece’s graduation. You remember Kayla? The one with Down syndrome. They had a big celebration afterward, and we wanted to be there for her.”
“Of course. I’m glad they live close enough that you can see them fairly often.”
Just as he was about to ask how the kids were doing, Henry spit up.
“Oh no,” Daisy said. “Noah, burp rag me?”
Noah held two-and-a-half-year-old Rose on his lap but dug into the diaper bag at his feet and quickly found a soft towel, which he tossed to Daisy. They worked well together.
“Can you hold him for a sec, Dad?” Daisy asked. “I’ve had to pee for an hour, and now I have to scrub baby barf off my dress.”
“You bet,” Edward said, putting down his fork and scooting away from the table. “Come here, little bugger.”
By the time Daisy returned, dinner had been cleared, and they’d moved on to toasts and cake-cutting. The moment for further conversation had passed.
Maya, who’d married two months ago, excused herself to give the maid of honor toast. She and Bella had been roommates all through college, and because she was Bella’s best friend and Ben’s daughter, she was at more family get-togethers than some of his own girls.
After the toasts, everyone gathered around a separate table to watch the cake cutting. Kenny and Bella carefully fed each other cake and toasted champagne. Then they kicked off the dancing with their first dance as husband and wife.
Edward was up after that for the father-daughter dance. As his last, it was bittersweet, but he was grateful all of his girls had found such good men. Men who weren’t perfect but were perfect for them.
After Kenny and his mom danced, the lights dimmed further, the DJ took over the music, and the younger crowd hit the dance floor. Edward spotted his daughters all around one table, talking animatedly. He slipped in behind them to eavesdrop.
“It’s crazy to think this is the first time in five years that none of us are pregnant or nursing. Let’s drink up,” Lizzie said.
“Just because we can get drunk doesn’t mean we should,” Emma said. “We still have responsibilities.”
“Speak for yourself,” Lucy said. “We’re free for the night. Our munchkins are upstairs being put to bed as we speak.”
“Yeah, well,” Daisy said. “Not all of us thought to bring a sitter and get her a separate room with the kids. That was genius, by the way.”
“I think our days of partying till the wee hours are over,” Emma said.
“When did we ever do that?” Lucy asked. “I’m pretty sure the last time we got drunk together was that night with Kate after she found out Adam was helping Dad’s opponent.”
“Oh, yeah,” Kate said. “We tried to set his boat free but couldn’t figure out the knot.”
“Emma was drunk at least once after that,” Lizzie said. “I remember because I was pissed she hadn’t done it at my bar.”
“Ah, yes,” Emma said. “The summer of adventures.”
“It’s weird how much has changed,” Lucy said. “No more hanging out at Mom and Dad’s pool, sipping mojitos, and gossiping.”
“Yeah. Now it’s all changing babies, chasing toddlers, and trying to catch a nap,” Kate said with a chuckle.
Edward listened quietly, content to watch his girls reminisce.
Husbands and kids came and went, and once a slow song started, Edward saw a shot to talk with Lucy.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, bowing deeply.
“But of course, good sir,” she said, laughing.
He took her loosely into his arms, and they did a pseudo waltz to Etta James’s “At Last.”
“You and Jack hanging in there?” he asked. They had two kids—five-and-a-half-year-old Connor and his three-year-old sister, Penny—and were trying for a third. After the first surprise conception, it had taken Lucy another two years to conceive again.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “I only go into the shop when I have to, and Jack runs his dad’s company out of a home office, so we’re making do.”
“Business running okay without you there all the time?”
“So far, so good. I’ve basically turned over the managing of both shops to Kenny. He plans to get an MBA and is grateful for the experience. I check in a lot and he calls with any questions.”
“You guys must be real proud of him,” Edward said. Kenny’s father wasn’t in the picture, and Jack and Lucy had taken him under their wings many years ago.
Lucy chuckled. “I remember when he first walked into the coffee shop looking for a job. Jack had met him the day before at the gym, where kids were picking on him because he was so scrawny.”
“He’s hardly that now. I wouldn’t mess with him.”
“Oh, yeah. He really filled out. Add his height to that, and he’s one tough cookie. Turned into a real looker too. I can see why Bella fell for him.”
They talked until the song ended, and he guided her back to the table where Jack waited. “Thanks for letting me steal your girl for a minute,” Edward said to Jack.
“No problem,” Jack said, putting an arm around Lucy. “My turn?”
She nodded, and they left for the dance floor.
He found Sophie and sat next to her. “Taking a break?” he asked. She’d been up and down all night, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
“Yes,” she said. “I hate to say it, but I’m glad this is the last one of these I’ll have to help with. It’s fun but tiring.”
“Hold that thought,” he said. “Looks like Archie is about to make an honest woman out of my mom. She might need your assistance with one final shindig.”
Sophie turned to where Edward had pointed to see Archie on one knee holding up a little black box. Nana’s head bobbed up and down enthusiastically before she slipped on the ring and hugged him.
“I’m certain she’ll keep it simple,” Edward said, laughing.
“You’re funny,” Sophie said. “She’ll want elephants or fire breathers or lumberjacks. Maybe all three. Come to think of it, hers might be the most fun of all to plan. And once I recover from this, I’m sure I’ve got one more in me.”
Edward and Sophie took turns watching little ones so their parents could dance. At some point, Nana dragged her new fiancé and his buddies to the dance floor. The Three Musketeers had officially become the Fantastic Four. They danced wildly in a group.
“What am I looking at?” Daisy asked.
“It’s so funny,” Emma said. “But I think it’s been years since I’ve seen the three of them standing.”
Lucy laughed. “Yeah, it’s surprising how tall they are.”
Jack and Lucy’s kids had gone to bed with a sitter upstairs, and the youngest ones were petering out, but his older grandkids were still hopped up on cake and punch.
Dirk and Emma returned from a slow dance and sat next to him.
“This one fell asleep,” he said, referring to one-year-old Skye, who slept in his arms. “Your mom’s over there chasing down Isaac.”
“Hannah?” Emma asked.
“Under the table, playing with her cousins.”
“That’s one great thing about us all having babies at once,” Emma said. “They’ll always have someone their age to play with. You want me to take her, Dad?”
“I’ll go relieve Sophie,” Dirk said, heading off to round up his son.
“I’ve got her,” Edward said. “Catch your breath. How’s everything going?”
“Great.” She took a gulp of water. “Dirk’s new book comes out next week. Hannah starts school the week after that. And then we get ready for our seven-year anniversary trip to Paris.”
“Ah, where it all began,” Edward said, carefully rotating Skye to his other arm. “You’ll miss the kids, but it’s good to get away every now and again.”
“I’m sure you’re right. We’re very excited. It’s our first vacation without the kiddos. We couldn’t have done it without you and Mom babysitting, so thanks for that.”
“Bella and Kenny have agreed to help. The four of us should be able to handle it.” He smiled. Babysitting grandkids wasn’t a burden. He looked forward to it and enjoyed every minute.
Dirk returned with Sophie and Isaac. Isaac balancing a plate of cake between his two little hands. “Did it, Daddy,” he said when he reached the table.
“You did, buddy,” Dirk said, helping him onto a chair. “Good job.”
“That has to be his last piece,” Emma said. “He’s already had two.”
“Tell it to Grandma,” Dirk said, winking at Sophie.
“Oops,” Sophie said, shrugging. “I thought that was his second.”
“Uh-huh,” Emma said.
“I’ll take her,” Dirk said, reaching for the baby. “Thanks, Edward. It was nice to get away for a minute.”
Edward passed Skye off to Dirk and danced with Sophie again.
Later, he went searching for Lizzie. She was the only one he hadn’t connected with yet. He found her sitting on an outdoor swing, holding her youngest, one-year-old Milly.
“Hey, honey. Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not,” Lizzie said. “Thought I could get Milly to sleep easier with some motion.”
“Good idea. We swore by the swing when y’all were little.” Milly’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice. “Hey, sweet pea. You ready to go night night?”
“You talkin’ to me or the baby?” Lizzie asked. “’Cause I’m pretty sure the swing’s making me sleepier than her.”
“I just realized, now that Maya’s married, you could be a grandma soon.” He laughed when she freed a hand to punch him in the arm.
“That’s not funny, Dad.”
“It’s a little funny.”
He considered his dadly duty done when she scoffed and rolled her eyes at him.
“Mom and I went to The Tipsy Twist last week. We figured you wouldn’t be there, but things seemed to be running smoothly. How are you and Ben holding up?”
“Really great. This one just quit nursing, which makes it a lot easier for Noah to watch her. I mean, I only work a couple of hours a day, if that, but it helps that I won’t have to rush home anymore.”
“That’s one perk of firefighting—being able to retire early. Didn’t he start some part-time gig recently?”
“Yeah,” she whispered. Little Milly was finally fading. “It’s independent contract work for a company that does security inspections. Something to keep him busy, but not a full-time job. And we can work around each other’s schedules. It’s perfect.”
“That’s so great. I’m happy everything’s going well. You want help getting her inside?”
“I’m good for now,” she said, standing. “But maybe I’ll have you take her once we get back. Ben’s probably got his hands full with the other two. He might need a hand.”
They walked back into the reception to the tables the Parkers had commandeered. He took Milly from Lizzie and sat next to Sophie, who held sound-asleep Ruby. Two more babies slept in their hand-held car seats.
All of his daughters, his sons-in-law, and every grandkid over three had moved to the dance floor for the Chicken Dance. Nana and her posse danced nearby. Everyone was laughing and having fun.
“Got enough grandkids yet?” he asked his wife.
“Fifteen. Can you believe it? Those girls really got down to business, didn’t they?” She laughed.
The song ended, and the adults and toddlers returned to their seats. They watched the older kids from the table. Kate’s oldest stood with her hands on her hips, bossing around Daisy’s kids. Emma’s eldest danced by herself in her own little world. And Lizzie’s oldest chased his younger sister and cousin, claiming his clip-on bow tie was a spider that was going to bite them.
“Chips off the ol’ blocks,” Sophie said with a chuckle.
Edward smiled and shifted the baby to one arm so he could pick up his champagne. Sophie did the same, and they clinked glasses. “To the next generation,” he said.
“To the next generation,” she repeated.
The End