Epilogue
Summer
Lucy and Aidan walked hand in hand along the pathway in St. Stephen’s Green Park. The day was clear, sunny, and pleasantly warm. Kaylee rushed ahead, pausing at the giant pond to scan the green water.
“I see some,” she called out, jumping up and down and pointing toward one end of the pond. “Baby swans. Oh my goodness, they’re so cute and fluffy.”
Lucy smiled at Aidan. He squeezed her hand before releasing it and joining Kaylee at the pond’s edge.
“Well, will ya look at that,” he said. “Did ya know baby swans are called cygnets?”
Kaylee tilted her head toward Aidan, looking up at him. “School’s out. No more lessons.”
Aidan shook his head, laughing. “I’m only making a comment.”
“Sure ya are,” Kaylee replied, but Lucy caught the sly smile her daughter tried to hide. “First, it”s ‘guess what baby swans are called,’ and the next thing I know, you’ll be telling me the genus, species, and migration patterns.”
Lucy chuckled. “She’s got you all figured out.”
Aidan nodded, scratching his head. “Actually, I was ‘bout ta mention the Children of Lir.”
Lucy scrunched her brows. “Who?”
Kaylee rolled her eyes. “I knew you had some lesson up your sleeve.” She turned to Lucy. “The Children of Lir is a myth about King Lir’s children being turned into swans. I’m sure Aidan would love to tell you the story.”
Aidan gasped. “You were paying attention.”
Kaylee scrunched up her nose and looked back toward the swans. Over her head, Lucy and Aidan exchanged glances, smiling at each other. Witnessing the interactions between her daughter and the man she was falling for warmed Lucy”s heart. They loved to tease each other, and Lucy could tell Kaylee was comfortable in Aidan’s presence.
For the last three months, Lucy and Aidan took things slow. She wasn’t going to mess things up this time; she had to break the cycle. No more sex without a deeper connection. She wanted the long talks, the laughter, the sharing of hopes and dreams, the disagreements, and all the ugly that strengthened the bond between two people.
Later that evening, the teasing continued throughout dinner. Lucy shook her head in amusement as she began clearing the table.
“That was amazing,” Aidan said, standing up and patting his stomach.
“I’ve still got room for popcorn,” Kaylee said quickly.
Aidan nodded enthusiastically. “Always room for that.”
“I’ll tidy up and then get that started.” Lucy carried plates toward the sink. “Aidan can get the movie queued up for us.”
“After a quick trip to the jacks.”
Lucy sighed as she watched him stride down the hallway.
“He should stay the night.” Kaylee broke through Lucy’s daze.
A patch of red burned up Lucy’s neck. “What?”
“Aidan. I’m okay with him staying the night.” Kaylee opened the dishwasher and set her plate inside.
Lucy couldn’t hide the smile spreading across her face. In all the time they had been seeing each other, Aidan had never spent the night at Lucy’s house. Now, Kaylee was the one to broach the subject and even suggest they all move to the next level.
“Are you sure? We never want you to feel uncomfortable, especially in your own home.”
“I’m fine with it,” Kaylee said. “It was uncomfortable when he first hung out here. I saw him at school and then I saw him here, that was uncomfortable. But, we’ve gotten used to each other.”
“You two have a great relationship.”
Kaylee looked down at her hands. “I really like him and I––I never had a––.”
“Dad,” Lucy finished for her. “I know what you mean, Sweetie. Aidan really likes you too.”
Kaylee smiled but continued to study her hands.
“I really like having him in our lives.”
“Me too,” Kaylee mumbled dropping her hands as Aidan entered the living room.
“Okay,” he said picking up the tv remote. “We’ve got action, bloody, rom-com, or––ohh a documentary on trad music.”
“Don’t you dare!” Kaylee hurried from the small kitchen area toward Aidan.
“Ah, it’ll be grand. You’ll love it.”
Lucy watched as Aidan held the remote just out of Kaylee’s reach. Her daughter laughed as she jumped up, trying to grab it from Aidan. Lucy felt as if her heart would burst watching their interaction. Aidan had always been so careful and caring toward Kaylee, ensuring she felt included in their newfound life.
Lucy’s connection with Aidan was beyond anything she had ever felt. With a single touch, he still caused sparks to fly between them. When they were apart, she missed him, counting down the hours until they were together again. But she still had a lot of work to do within herself. Recently, she began seeing a therapist to help sort through her emotions and past traumas. She knew it would be hard work not to muck up her relationship with Aidan, but she was giving it her best shot. Her past with Jeremy would not tarnish her future with Aidan.
Lucy carried two bowls of popcorn into the living room. Aidan and Kaylee sat on the couch side-by-side. Kaylee was leaning ever so slightly against Aidan’s arm; it was such a small thing to notice, but it meant the world to Lucy. In her mind’s eye, she could picture their entire future together and this man becoming the father figure Kaylee deserved.
Lucy joined her family on the couch, resting her head on Aidan’s shoulder. This was the new beginning she needed and, unbeknownst to her, the reason she had moved across a continent and an ocean. Her destiny was to find this man who was changing her life in the most remarkable ways. She was still broken, but this path would lead to her healing, and there was no other place she would rather be.
The End