Epilogue
‘Here comes the train! Choo, choo!’
The sun shines brightly in their kitchen, bathing Chloe and her little girl, Elizabeth, though she’s usually called Lizzie, in a warm glow. Chloe waves the pink plastic spoon in the air, trying to make the banana-peanut-butter mix look more appealing. Lizzie, however, is not having it. She seals her mouth shut, squirming back as far as she can to avoid her breakfast.
Lizzie is…well, perfect, if you ask Chloe. And she’s the perfect mix between Chloe and Luke; she’s got Luke’s deep tan and wild curls that form a halo around her cherub cheeks, and her eyes are all Chloe—bright and green and sparkling in the early morning light.
Just in time to contradict that thought, Lizzie squeezes her eyes shut tight, her nose wrinkled in distaste. ‘No, Mama, no!’
‘Sweetheart, please,’ Chloe says, trying to keep her voice sweet. She glances at the clock on the stove and winces. ‘You like bananas and peanut butter, remember? You had it yesterday.’
‘No!’ Lizzie whines. ‘Don’t like!’
Lizzie manages to swat the spoon back at Chloe, hitting her straight in the chest with a glob of peanut butter.
Behind her, Luke snorts. Chloe whirls around, eyes narrowed playfully, to see her boyfriend trying and failing to stifle his laughter with his hands. His eyes fall to the peanut butter splatter over Chloe’s boobs and he doubles over.
‘Oh, she’s got a hell of an arm, doesn’t she?’ he chortles. ‘Gonna be a world-class pitcher one day, Liz?’
Lizzie giggles; like Chloe, she finds Luke’s laugh to be wonderfully infectious.
‘And how long have you been standing there?’ Chloe asks. The corners of her mouth twitch, but she tries to maintain a straight face.
‘Since about the second lift-off.’
‘And you didn’t want to help?’
‘I like watching you two together,’ Luke says sweetly. Chloe makes a show of rolling her eyes, but lets him kiss her cheek and take the baby spoon from her. ‘Go, change your shirt. I’ll take care of this one.’
Luke makes a face at Lizzie like she’s some monster he has to face, and Lizzie just laughs and laughs. Honestly, she thinks just about anything her dad does is funny. Sometimes Chloe thinks it’s not fair.
Chloe pauses just a moment—she gets what Luke means, it is nice to watch him with Lizzie. He’s so good at it, and it warms her heart to see her little family together and happy.
Of course, there are still nights when Chloe worries about the future. But those nights come less and less often, and Chloe can actually appreciate the life she’s found herself living.
Luke makes kissy noises at Lizzie until she laughs again and slips the spoon into her mouth. Lizzie pauses, her big eyes wide, then begins to chew experimentally. Chloe can’t help but giggle—her baby is just so cute!
‘Not that I don’t love spending the morning with my two favorite girls,’ Luke says lightly, scooping another spoonful of Lizzie’s breakfast, ‘but shouldn’t you be leaving soon?’
Chloe looks at the time again and curses.
She runs up the stairs to change out of her shirt, moving like a whirlwind in their bedroom. The outfit she spent all last night planning, ruined. But now there’s no time to plan something more, because she does have somewhere to be.
After two years of classes and training, Chloe is finally starting student teaching. It’s been tough, balancing school and Lizzie and Luke’s crazy schedule, but Chloe knows it’s worth it. She’s more excited than nervous for her first day; her skin is practically buzzing as she scoops her brand new tote bag off the floor and returns to the kitchen to say goodbye.
‘You’ve got the school’s number, right?’ Chloe asks, ducking to kiss Lizzie on the head. ‘My phone’s gonna be off all day.’
‘I won’t need to call you, but I’ve got it,’ Luke replies. He holds his hand out to Chloe, wiggling his fingers until she takes it.
‘Lizzie’s been fighting her naps lately,’ she reminds him, allowing him to pull her into a hug and kiss. ‘But Bluey seems to help.’
‘You know, I am her dad. I know these things,’ Luke teases. Chloe sighs and kisses him again.
‘I know, I just worry.’ Chloe wrinkles her nose. ‘It’s easier to worry about you two than myself.’
‘There’s nothing to worry about. You’re gonna do so great today! Your students will love you. And Lizzie and I will be right here waiting for you to come home.’ Luke raises his eyebrows, looking into her eyes to make sure she believes him. It’s a habit he’s picked up, and Chloe is continually impressed at how accurate he can be. ‘I promise.’
‘I love you,’ Chloe tells him.
‘I love you, too.’
‘Daddy, want more!’ Lizzie cries, fully interrupting the moment. Luke chuckles, taking a step back.
‘I’ll get you more, Liz-bug. Say bye to Mama now!’
‘Bye-bye, Mama!’ Lizzie parrots, waving a sticky hand to Chloe. Chloe’s eyes tear up—she always seems to cry when she leaves Lizzie—but she manages a smile and waves back. With one final ‘I love you!’, Chloe hurries out the door before she actually breaks down and is late for her first class.
Just as Chloe pulls up to the high school she’s going to be working in for the rest of the year, her phone buzzes in her pocket.
GROUPCHAT: The OGs
8:11 AM
Elena
Good luck on your first day, Chlo!! You got this!
Devin
teach the hell out of all those tenth graders, cj!
Chloe
thanks, guys 3 love you
Elena
I love you, too.
Devin
luv you 2!!
now back to bed, 8am is way too early
Elena
Devin!
Devin
3
Chloe chuckles, locking her phone as she steps into the main office. As she greets the secretary and gives her information, she can’t help but think of how lucky she is to have stumbled her way into this life.
THE END