26. Epilogue
Epilogue
Koa
One year later…
It’s been a year since my car was taken in the middle of a gas station parking lot.
A whole year of trials, tribulations, and outrageous newscasts meant to destroy the Keaton name.
A year of Eleanor Dawson moving in and out of our lives to help us navigate public life as a family.
The Dawsons have been instrumental in aiding my family in many ways, including ensuring my mother and father got through the hardest time in their lives with grace and support.
I could never imagine working for another organization.
With my father’s help, an entire crime family toppled. There were scary moments, times I thought I should skip town and drag my family along with me, but with God and prayer, things always got better.
Through every bit of it, Evalina was by my side.
For the longest time, I thought she needed my help, but I was the one who truly needed something steady, lasting, and loving. Evalina taught me the meaning of loving someone else with your whole heart, even to the point of strengthening my faith.
Since the day she put her trust in me, Tornado has bitten me no less than a hundred times, Dustin has flourished in baseball, and Sparkly’s on Wheels has become a fixture in the food truck industry.
From the moment I first saw the glittery metallic-pink van painted with cupcakes, I knew the ladies were on to something.
Layne, Sarah Beth, Annie, and Evalina have exploded into something phenomenal.
Now, it seems, all that’s left to finalize the brilliant picture of life is…a dog.
“Dad!” Dustin screams across the house, stopping me in my tracks. Everyone is outside enjoying the pool on one of the hottest days of the summer, ready for the hot dogs on the grill, but the tone my son uses sends a shiver down my spine.
“Dustin? What’s wrong?” I drop the plate of raw hot dogs on the coffee table and rush down the hall.
“He’s all right. Just a little bump,” Mom says.
Since the trial ended, she and Dad have been more present in our lives. Phone calls, visits, and showing up unannounced with gifts for their first grandson have taken their minds from traveling, making the Keaton name famous, and worrying about what society thinks of them.
“What happened?” I meet them in the kitchen and grab a towel to stop the blood oozing from Dustin’s head.
“He found a stray dog and chased it down, tripped on the sidewalk, and bumped it. I don’t think he needs stitches.” Mom brushes Dustin’s hair back and observes while I clean him up.
“Please don’t tell Mom. She’s going to be so mad at me!”
Despite Dustin’s request, I am going to have to tell his mother. “It’s not like she won’t notice. I’m not lying to your mother.”
His face falls and Mom frowns. “Want me to ask your father to get those dogs on the grill?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Hopefully, this won’t take long. Can you get Lina?”
Mom kisses Dustin’s cheek and smiles. “It’ll be okay, I’m sure it will heal quickly.”
It’s not the wound he’s worried about, without a doubt.
His mother probably will be angry, especially since we’ve told him a dozen times not to bother with that dog.
I don’t blame him for wanting to help it, but every time we try, it runs off and growls.
The last thing we need is for it to bite him.
Evalina comes through the patio door and sighs. “Dustin Keaton, how many times have we told you to leave that dog alone? He’s going to bite you!”
“I know, Mom, but he’s going to starve to death. All he needs is a good home, and I’m positive he’ll be a good boy.” Dustin’s argument falls flat, at least for now. He’ll be lucky if my wife doesn’t scold him for the rest of the day.
“Were you running barefoot down the walkway?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She sighs again and points down the hallway. “Hold pressure on your head and go get your shoes on.” She sends him off, seemingly okay mood-wise, but her skin is pale and she looks positively sick. “You gonna make it, Lina? It’s just a little blood. Remember, it goes a long way.”
She waves me off and presses her hand to her forehead. “I’m fine. A little tired, I guess. I haven’t been sleeping very well.”
Taking her hands, I encourage her to look at me. “I’ve noticed you tossing and turning a lot. Maybe you should make an appointment just to rule out anything. A virus or something, maybe?”
“I actually don’t think that’s necessary. This has happened before.” Her lips tip into a smile and she squeezes my hand. “I’m pregnant, Koa.”
“You’re pregnant?” It leaves my lips in a breathy whisper, because saying it too loudly almost feels like telling a secret. It’s heavenly and beautiful, and I’m not sure I have been so excited in my life. Evalina rubs her hands up my arms, settles them around my neck, pulls me into a kiss.
When we first got married and talked about having kids, I wasn’t completely convinced she truly wanted more. I was okay with that. If Dustin was the only child I’d ever have, then he would be a blessing in my life like none other.
“Are you okay?” I ask when she pulls back. “I mean, with having another child?”
“Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Her brown eyes sparkle as she stares up at me. “I want a lot of kids to fill this house. I told you that.”
“Mom?” Dustin stands at the entrance of the kitchen with a bloody rag on his head and his shoes in the other.
Judging by the look on his face, I’d say he heard at least part of the conversation.
He blinks a few times, shifts his gaze between us, and finally settles on his mother. “Are you pregnant?”
Evalina breaks from my embrace and pulls him closer to her. “Yes, sweetheart, I am. You’re going to have a little brother or sister running around, looking up to you. What do you think about that?”
Dustin shimmies away, eyes wide as saucers. “I think it’s awesome! If it’s a boy, I can teach him how to play baseball!”
“In fairness, you can teach a girl, too,” I add.
“And I can teach him or her how to swim! And make spaghetti and…” His eyes go wider as he thinks of all the things he’ll be able to do with and teach a younger sibling. If a kid’s chest could puff out any more, his certainly would. He is going to be the best older brother.
“Can I tell Pops and Naynay?”
“Oh, boy. Do we want to tell my parents today or wait for a while?” I’m giving Evalina the choice, since it’s clearly still early.
“Let’s make it our secret for a couple of weeks, okay?” Dustin nods and runs off…probably to accidentally spill the beans even though we both know he’ll try not to. The boy cannot keep a secret to save his life, but I don’t blame him on this one.
“Now that we’ve sent him off to let the cat out of the bag, how do you feel about this?” She leans into me, staring up at me, eyes full of love.
“I’m so in love with the idea of growing our family.
Lina, I’ve never known happiness like this in my life.
” I lean in and kiss my wife, holding fast to the only woman who ever captured my interest for more than a few days.
She not only captured me, but showed me everything I was missing in my luxurious, comfortable life.
The patio doors open and a horde of people rush into the living area. Evalina hums into the kiss and pulls back, knowing as well as I do that Dustin only made it about ten feet onto the patio before sharing the secret.
“Guess we better confirm the good news, Mrs. Keaton.”
“Looks like it.”
“It’s true then?” Mom does her best not to intrude on our moment, but she can’t help it. Evalina pulls her into a hug and confirms that she is, in fact, having a baby.
From that moment, there isn’t a second of quiet.
From baby shower planning among the girls to Dustin’s long list of things he can teach his little sibling, to the guys teasing me about being the coolest dad…
and that darn dog jumping our fence and running amuck with the hot dog tray, it’s a hectic afternoon.
By the end of the day, we are spent. It seems we also have a new pet.
“This thing has to go to the vet first thing in the morning,” Evalina demands. “What are you going to name him?”
“Mmm, Hurricane!”
“Tornado and Hurricane. Seems about right.” I chuckle and settle on the sofa beside my wife, knowing that without a tray of very hot donuts getting dumped on my lap, I would never have discovered what a real family looks like.