Epilogue
Nik
Two Years Later
Waves crash against the beach, and I inhale the briny air. Vibrant shades of ocean blue capture my attention each time a wave tumbles onto shore, and the sky is currently painted with hues of pink, orange, and purple, creating the most magical sunset over the Caribbean Sea.
Luka’s vacation house sits behind me. The sweet sound of laughter rings out from the patio, and I look over my shoulder to find Luna snuggling Sasha and making her giggle.
Luka and Kate had their baby girl a year ago today, and we’re celebrating her first birthday here in Turks and Caicos. Just the five of us.
Kate’s inside putting the finishing touches on her birthday cake while Luka sits outside with us, fighting with Luna over who gets to hold Sasha more.
I laugh to myself, taking one last glimpse of the ocean before turning back to the house. Luna’s face is brighter than the moon as she holds Sasha, and I can’t wait to share our news with Luka and Kate.
If anyone had told me ten years ago that I’d end up happily married and expecting a child, I would’ve laughed in their face. In fact, when I told my father Luna and I were doing this marriage thing for real, he did laugh at me. However, he also agreed to come to New York for a visit soon, and I’m hopeful we’ll be able to mend some of our brokenness.
Luna holds Sasha up to face me and waves her tiny hand. She kicks up and down on Luna’s lap, giggling at me as I approach, and I wink at this beautiful girl who looks so much like Luka’s mother.
“Okay! It’s time to eat!” Kate yells from the sliding glass door. Luka hops up, and scoops Sasha from Luna’s arms, tickling her all the way to the house.
Luna sits there pouting at me, and I laugh. When I reach her, and pull her into my arms, I place a hand over her belly. There isn’t a bump there yet—as we only found out a few weeks ago—but a primal part of me can’t wait to watch her belly swell with our child.
“Don’t worry, Moonbeam. We’ll have our own little one soon,” I whisper in her ear, and her frown turns into a smile.
This is what I live for.