Epilogue
One Week Later
Rowan leaned back on the couch and watched Vivian in the kitchen dancing to whatever she’d put on the stereo.
Some band he’d never heard of called Teddy Swims. The groove was hot.
But then, anything Vivian danced to was all right with him.
The Halloween Festival had been an unmitigated success.
His brothers had been charming, and Olly had been a delight.
Vivian’s Halloween costume of Miss Frizzle from the Magic School Bus had the toddler seeing stars.
Rowan pulled out his phone and put in a message to his brothers.
I’m really glad you guys hit it off with Vivian.
I probably should have mentioned that she moved in with me, but it felt weird to tell you that we were dating and living together all in the same conversation.
I guess I don’t have much practice with introducing you to my girlfriends.
Living in the same town with you is kind of new territory.
Ash’s response came through almost immediately.
OK, thanks for clarifying because I was trying to figure out how to ask about the living situation without asking. For the record, I think Viv is awesome. No clue how you got that lucky, but two thumbs up.
Rowan nervously tapped at his phone, waiting for Forest to reply.
Olly may be calling her Miss Frizzle permanently. Tell her sorry in advance.
Ash tagged Forest’s message with a laughing face and sent a Miss Frizzle gif.
I think Olly can call her whatever he wants. She just spent five minutes telling me how he was the most adorable thing on the planet. And then followed that up with how lucky I was to have such nice brothers. I know I’m lucky, but you guys help me look good. Thanks.
His phone was now full of Olly and Vivian pictures. Tentatively, he picked out one with Chloe, Forest’s new nanny, Vivian, and Olly and sent one to the family text thread.
Ash immediately responded with a picture of Rowan, Vivian, and Olly. And then a moment later, one of Chloe, Forest, and Olly.
Rowan hearted both of them.
A second text bubble popped up from Ash.
OK, yes, I love Viv. She’s smart, pretty, yada yada yada. Can we talk about Chloe and Forest?
Rowan laughed.
“Something funny?” called Vivian.
“Ash wants to talk about Chloe and Forest.”
“Oh, my God, yes!” Vivian came out of the kitchen waving a wooden spoon. “What was that? Tell me I’m not the only one who thought there was a thing there?”
“No, I thought there were definite vibes,” said Rowan and Vivian nodded, pleased with his agreement, and returned to the kitchen.
Vivian thinks there’s something there.
Do YOU think there’s something?
Rowan couldn’t tell what tone Ash meant the text to have.
Yes, but I thought there was something when he sent the puddle video. Don’t give him any crap. You know he’s been gun-shy since Vera.
Over on the family thread, Forest sent a pic of Ash and Olly. Then, an actual message.
We need to get one of everybody together at Thanksgiving.
Rowan breathed out a sigh of relief. If Vivian was included in what Forest thought of as everybody then everything really was fine. He thumbsed up the message, just as one came through on Ash’s private thread.
I don’t want to give him any crap, but she’s the NANNY. That can’t be a good idea.
Rowan shook his head. Ever since dating Emma, Ash had acquired a snooty streak. Not that dating the nanny couldn’t get complicated, but Chloe had seemed so genuine that Rowan couldn’t help thinking that she was precisely what Forest needed.
Climb down off your high horse. Besides, it might not be anything. It might just be Forest remembering girls exist.
That got a laughing emoji.
“Ash is laughing at Forest,” said Rowan, raising his voice to carry to the kitchen. “I hope he doesn’t do it in person. Forest has been through the wringer. He deserves someone as sweet as Chloe.”
“No one laughs harder than someone who is not in love. Wait until it happens to Ash. Then we can laugh,” said Vivian.
Laugh all you want. Just do it behind his back. Forest deserves someone who makes him happy.
Rowan didn’t want Forest to get hung up because Ash made fun of him.
He deserves the world after what he’s been through. He’s still a dork.
Rowan gave that comment a laughing face, but it occurred to him that sometimes it felt like he didn’t really know what was going on with Ash.
Vivian came to the edge of the kitchen area and looked down into the den. She’s left the spoon somewhere.
“Rowan?”
“Yeah?” He reached for his wine glass but looked up at her, caught by something nervous in her tone.
“I want babies.”
He froze, with his wine glass halfway to his mouth.
“Uh. Now?”
“Not next year, but the year after. So I have a full year at Victory Mission.”
“And that’s the plan, General?”
Which worked conveniently well with his plans. He’d get the house tidied up, finish the warehouse, and move the company over there, and then they could have the wedding in early September and babies the following year. He liked plans.
“Well... it will be the plan if you agree to it,” said Vivian. “I thought I should tell you where I was heading in case you weren’t on the same page. But I think we could make cute babies.” The last part was said in a hushed whisper.
He grinned. Olly’s existence was a persuasive argument in favor of Valkyrie babies.
“I’m in,” he said. “And our babies will be the cutest. Now get over here so we can practice the pre-parenting portion.”
“Pre-parenting?” she asked, looking puzzled.
“Baby making,” he supplied.
Vivian giggled as she scurried across the room and flung herself into his arms. She was still laughing when he planted his mouth on hers.
“You know, Ms. Kaye,” he said, pulling back. “When I got in that elevator, I really did not think this was where I was going.”
“It’s been a bit of a ride.”
“Yeah, but I think we should take this one all the way to the top.”
“Yes, Mr. Valkyrie,” Vivian whispered and kissed him.
The End
Find out if Chloe and Forest can catch their own elevator ride to happiness or if they’ll get stuck...