Epilogue - Alli
Six years later
“Are you guys sure you’re okay to babysit your sisters?” I ask the boys. They stand up straight nodding with serious expressions.
“I promise, Momma. We got it, you don’t have to worry about a thing.” Matty’s voice has gotten deeper and Tate had to teach him to shave this past weekend.
“Are you sure? Four-year-olds are a lot of work, especially twins— “
“Mom,” Hudson cuts me off with a hand to my shoulder, “It’s gonna be great. You and Dad have fun. We will take care of our sisters. They already follow us everywhere we go, so it’s not going to be much different from usual.”
“Okay. Just remember to call if anyone needs anything, not just the girls. And no— “
“Darlin’. They’ve got it. Look at our boys.” Tate's arm wraps around my shoulders, tucking me into his side. “They’re responsible.”
Looking at them, Hudson’s blonde hair styled albeit with a little too much gel and Matty’s lanky frame filling out with muscle, I start to tear up at how much they’ve grown. “How are they sixteen? I can’t take it. Everyone’s growing up so fast. I’m going to blink and be a grandma.”
“Please don’t cry again, Darlin’. We’ve got reservations.” Tate places a lingering kiss on my temple, and his hand rubs my shoulder soothingly.
“I can’t help it. It’s the pregnancy hormones.” I try to cover my sniffle. Tate just chuckles and passes me a tissue.
“Daddy!” Sadie screams as she comes running in wearing a goalie mask and jumps to Tate who catches her in the air.
“Hey, sweetheart! You be good for your brothers, okay?” He taps her on the nose making her grin smile, displaying a missing tooth.
“Yes, sir. Love you!”
“I love you, too!”
There’s a little clack on the floor as Blair comes in, same wild hair and sapphire eyes. Her princess dress sparkling. She gives my round belly a kiss before hugging me tight.
“Bye Mommy.” I squeeze her back, telling her how much I love her. Sadie hops down blowing me a kiss and running off to play.
Tate scoops Blair up like a princess and gives her a little spin. “Be good, doll. Love you.”
“Love you, Daddy. Take Mommy to a castle for dinner!” She clicks her way back to the living room and snatches the remote from Hudson’s hand. She delicately presses a button to change it from the game to her favourite movie— Beauty and the beast.
When we get into the car, my tears are forgotten knowing they’ll be in safe hands. Especially as the cravings kick in and my belly growls.
“I hope we don’t have to go far.” I smile as Tate’s hand rubs my belly. “He’s hungry.”
“Don’t worry. We don’t.”
Tate acts secretive the whole way but once we pull into the parking lot I know exactly where we are. The barbecue place I told him I had craved so often when I was expecting Hudson.
“You remembered? I told you that once… like six years ago.”
“I remember everything about my beautiful wife, Darlin’.” He tucks my hair behind my ear and plants a kiss on my lips. I relax into him as his thumb brushes my belly.
My safety, my comfort, my love.