EPILOGUE
JULIET
I close out my tabs and sign out of my computer before grabbing my coat and purse. It’s date night, and I’m running behind, but my husband will more than understand. I know he’ll keep the girls busy till I get there. An issue arose at Farrow Haven that needed my direct attention.
Cora runs Farrow Haven and oversees the few staff we have, but if there are rules that need bending, she calls me to make that decision on how it should be handled.
I opened Farrow Haven a few years ago after getting my inheritance from my father’s estate.
I wasn’t sure what to do with the home I’d been raised in, not with the memories of my stepmother there.
She’s since been stripped of everything and is still in jail on fraud and wire-fraud charges as well.
It all stacked up nicely for her and her lover boy.
Especially after her new husband left them both in the dust.
Part of me wanted to sell the house, but a bigger part wanted to hold on to it.
There were still happy memories there from my childhood, but most of the ones with my stepmother tainted them.
It’s a beautiful home and has a million rooms in it, but it was too large for us to live in.
I prefer a smaller home with everyone close and not spread so far out.
Plus, I wanted a fresh start with Maverick.
He said there was no rush and I didn’t have to do anything with the house right away.
It sat empty that first year, but shortly after having our twin girls, I knew what I wanted to do with it.
I watched Maverick guide a lot of young men, and it inspired me.
I had the means after finding out how much money I got from my father.
I knew he was rich, but the man was truly wealthy.
I guess working all the time paid off for him, but the sad reality is that he didn’t get to enjoy it.
As the old saying goes, you can’t take it with you.
After watching Maverick mentor and help out young men in the community, I wanted to do the same.
That’s when I turned the place into the Farrow Haven House.
It’s a home for young women that have nowhere to go when they are running from a situation.
Usually, it’s abusive parents at home. Farrow Haven is a safe place that not only offers protection but also helps them start a life on their own.
It’s a way for them to get ahead without needing the people who abused them.
Today Officer Niks sent a young woman our way. Niks and I have become close over the years, and I consider her a true friend. She sends over girls when she’s worried there’s an imminent danger and they have no place to go. She’s all too aware that restraining orders don’t always work.
This new resident wasn’t giving us much information, but she showed up with a black eye and is still pretty shaken up.
When I get to the room Cora assigned her, I tap gently on the door.
We already talked earlier when she arrived, but I wanted to do one last check on her before I left for the day.
It’s important that the women here know that I truly care. It helps build trust between us.
When she opens the door, she gives me a smile, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. “Are you all settled in?” I ask her.
“Yeah, I think so.” She shifts on her feet.
“That’s good. Dinner will be ready shortly, and then you should get some rest,” I tell her, and she nods. “How are you feeling about Dr. Lovell coming by in the morning?”
I brought it up once, and she shook it off, but I still want him to check her over. With her pants and long-sleeved shirt, I can’t tell if there are bruises anywhere else.
“You said I don’t have to answer any questions, right?” she asks.
“Right, you’re free to tell or not tell us anything.” I can see her marginally relax, but it’s best not to push. In fact, the more space we give a new resident, the sooner they come to us.
“Okay,” she agrees.
“Great, he’ll be here in the morning.”
She thanks me again before closing her door, and I wait until I hear the lock clicking into place. It’s a start.
Once that’s done, I pull out my phone and send a text to Dr. Lovell.
He owns his own practice and comes to the gym.
Maverick has known him for years, and when we opened Farrow Haven, he offered to help in any way that he could.
Initially I worried about having a male doctor, but he’s always happy to send one of his female nurse practitioners in his place if the resident requests it. He’s been a godsend.
“Goodnight, everybody,” I say to the security guards on the way out.
Maverick insisted on me using a driver, so he’s waiting for me out front. I get into the backseat and let him know to head back to the gym. Even with the security at Farrow Haven, Maverick worries. I don’t mind doing whatever it takes to give him peace of mind.
Once I’m back at the gym, I make my way inside to find my husband and our baby girls playing inside one of the rings. A few of the old-timers linger around watching them, and I have to laugh at how they are cheering on the girls.
It didn’t take long for Maverick to knock me up. He was so excited when he found out I was pregnant, but when he found out it was twin girls, his excitement skyrocketed. I thought he was going to explode with joy. The man really was made to have a family.
I can’t help but smile as I watch our girls running around in the ring. They’re dressed in sparkly dresses and even have crowns on. They’re super girly when it comes to how they want to dress, but the sequins and glitter don’t stop them from a good wrestling match.
“Victory!” Lily squeals when she’s got her dad on the mat. She waves her hands in the air like a champion.
I cringe when Rose goes in for the haymaker on her dad. I know she’s a tiny thing, but those little elbows are pointy. As soon as she makes contact, Maverick pretends to be injured while Lily swings back around. She realizes they’re still in it, and she jumps on top of him too.
“I see you girls are keeping your dad in line,” I shout, and the girls turn my way.
“Mommy!”
“Mom!”
They smile as they bounce to their feet and run in my direction.
“You like my dress?” Lily asks before spinning in place.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell her.
“What about mine?” Rose scrunches her nose.
“Yours is just as beautiful, sweetie.” It’s literally the same dress, but clearly I need to make the distinction.
Maverick comes up behind them and grabs them in his arms. He lifts one on either side of him and kisses them on the cheek. They squeal, and he puts them back on their feet.
“I told you girls to never let your guard down. Now go get ready.”
He slips out of the ring and comes over to cup the back of my neck. When he pulls me into him, his mouth comes down on mine, and I melt into him. Things can get heavy at Farrow Haven, but Maverick has a way of relaxing me with a simple touch. I know I’m safe and loved when I’m with him.
His love means I’ve always got someone at my back. He’s the person that will always be there no matter what. It’s not about money or anything else; it’s about treasuring what’s important.
That’s a love worth fighting for.
THE END!