Epilogue One #2
She tucks the tissue into my panties and then squeezes the gel on my stomach. Theo comes to stand next to me, holding my hand and placing the other one over my head. The swooshing sounds start right away. I watch him, the way his whole face lights up with a look like, Do you hear that?
He lifts my hand to his lips. “So strong.” His chest puffs up, and then she moves the transducer around, and we see the baby’s face. “I think our baby is the most beautiful baby ever made.” Dr. Louis laughs at him. “Is everything okay with her?”
“Or him,” I add in. “Is everything okay?”
She clicks a couple of buttons. “Baby is measuring a bit big. But things are following the curve of the last exam.” The machine spits out more pictures, and when she wipes me down, she hands them to me.
“I got another frame,” Theo tells me. “For this one.” He has our ultrasound pictures right on display in the living room. He takes the photos from me as I sit up. “I’ll hold these.”
“I’ll see you guys next month,” Dr. Louis says while we walk out.
“Look at how big she got.” He is still looking at the pictures.
“I know, I feel it every single time I sit down.” I rub my belly. “I’m hungry.”
“Perfect, let’s go for lunch.” He opens the truck door for me, giving me a kiss before helping me in.
He parks in front of Thatcher’s, and when I meet him on the sidewalk, he slides his hand in mine and brings it up to his lips to kiss my fingers. “Love you,” he says, and I just smile as we walk. A sign in the front of the bakery says: Closed for a Private Event.
“Oh no!” I exclaim in dismay. But he just tugs the door open and pulls me inside.
“Surprise!” A crowd of people yell in unison. I’m so fucking confused. Samantha is coming toward me.
“What is going on?” I ask. She has tears running down her face as she takes me in her arms.
“It’s your baby shower,” Samantha whispers into my ear. “Surprise.”
I realize half of the town is here, crammed into the bakery. Roman high-fives Scooter, who just smiles at me. Balloons float at the back, and Ms. Maddie hugs Mrs. Lambert as they celebrate and smile at me.
I look over at Theo, who is beaming, and I mean fucking beaming with his bright smile. “I promised my mother I wouldn’t tell you.” He holds up his hands in defense.
I’m greeted with a hug from Sierra. “I’m so happy you’re surprised,” she tells me.
Finley is standing beside her with a huge smile on her face and her hands up together in front of her mouth. “Surprise.” She looks worried. “On a scale of one to ten, how pissed are you that I didn’t tell you?”
I shake my head. “I’m too shocked to count.” I give her a hug, squeezing her extra tight. “Thank you for being here,” I say softly in her ear. “It makes it extra special having my one friend here.”
“There is no place else I would rather be.” I hear her voice quiver.
“I owe you more than you know.” She lets me go.
“Go and be the belle of the ball.” She holds her hand out to everyone waiting for their turn.
“You look fabulous, by the way. Love the dress.” She winks at me and slips away, disappearing in the crowd.
Brock catches my eye and grins. The whole place is packed with all of the people who I’ve thought hated me for years. And it’s then that I burst out into tears.
Theo’s arms are immediately around me. “It’s okay, baby,” he whispers. “Do you want to leave? We can leave. I’ll take you away from here.”
I close my eyes, smelling his musky scent while embraced in his strong hug, and shake my head. “Can I get a hug?” Scooter asks, coming over to us.
Theo reluctantly releases me. “You did good,” Scooter says, patting my back. Theo has his hands on his hips. Then Roman comes with a hug before joining Scooter to the side.
“If she doesn’t stop crying, we’re leaving,” Theo threatens everyone, who just laugh at him. Putting his arm around my shoulders, he tucks me to his side. “I’m not even kidding.”
“Come this way,” Blake urges, bending to give me a kiss on the cheek before guiding us further inside. “This is her time to shine.”
I reach out my hand for Theo. “I’ll be okay.” I look around the room. “I just . . .” I put my loose hand to my mouth. “This is all so much.”
“We love you,” Mrs. Lambert announces, and I look at my feet.
She’s been coming to my house weekly with more gifts that she’s knitted and crocheted.
Ms. Maddie has been leaving little baked goods for Theo to bring home to me.
Some of the women in town have stopped by with meals for me.
It’s been an outpouring of love that I’ve never felt before in my life.
“There is something else,” Theo mentions. I look up at him as he lets go of my hand and steps in front of me. The next thing I know, he’s on one knee. “Collins,” he starts, “I know we haven’t known each other that long”—my eyes go big—“and it’s been the most unconventional start.”
“I would say,” Caleb teases, and it earns him a glare from Theo, making everyone laugh.
“But it happened for a reason, and now that you are in my life”—he smiles—“I know there is no one else in this world for me but you. To be standing by your side is an honor, and it’s a privilege to be the one you love.”
“You bet your ass it is,” Brock snaps out, “and if you hurt her—”
“I know, I know,” Theo throws over his shoulder. “You’re ruining the moment.”
“No, he’s not,” Caleb retorts. “He’s making it more delightful.”
“Can we just please get on with it?” Blake adds impatiently.
“Like I was saying before I rudely got interrupted,” Theo continues.
I can’t help but laugh. I hold his face in my hands and lean down. “Yes, to whatever the question is. It’s a yes.” I kiss his lips, smiling.
“I didn’t think she would say yes,” Caleb comments from behind him, and we both laugh.
Theo takes the ring out of his pocket and slips it on my finger. It’s a massive diamond.
“She’s going to freak out in three, two—” Roman counts down, and I shriek.
“This is . . .” I shake my head. “It’s big.” I’m not sure how big engagement rings are supposed to be, but it should be smaller than this.
He gets up and kisses my lips to stop me from talking. “Falling for you was the best thing to ever happen to me.” He winks. “Our baby is the second-best thing. This might be the third.” He wraps his arms around me and pulls me to him.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Samantha interrupts. “Let’s celebrate.”
I’m so happy as I look around the room filled with these wonderful people, finally seeing how much they care about me.
How could I have not realized that, all this time, they were rooting for me and not against me?
My hand goes to my stomach, and I know my child will be so loved, and that means everything.
With Theo’s hand in mine, I say, “Let’s celebrate.”