EPILOGUE
ANGIE
TWO YEARS LATER
“Babe, are you ready?”
“Nearly,” I call back.
I love this room. We’ve filled it with good memories and as much warmth as we can create for our children since Josh and I moved in. Tommy made an offer to the landlord he couldn’t refuse, and we bought the home he formerly rented.
Framed photographs sit on the windowsill and display images of everyone we love.
Scott, as best man at Ash and Calla’s wedding, looks so damn handsome in his suit with a cream rose buttonhole.
This is a great picture of him. He didn’t stop smiling for the entire day, which is why we chose this shot.
We want Josh to be happy whenever he thinks about his dad, and I want to remember the happy times too because there were so many.
Next to his photograph sits another of our family. Our two boys are on either side of us while our beautiful baby girl sits upright with the help of her dad.
I gaze down towards our daughter snuggled in my arms. Bonnie Mai Graham was born three months ago.
After we decided we wanted to try for a baby, I had my birth control removed.
We thought it would take us some time to fall pregnant because of my history, but it happened within a month. We are completely in love with her.
She stirs gently before her hazel eyes open fully to greet mine.
“Hello, little one.” My fingers brush through her thick tuft of dark brown hair and trace across her delicate pink skin as she gurgles and then yawns.
“Oh, it’s a hard life for a baby girl,” I say out loud, rocking her back and forth as she drifts back to sleep.
Briefly, I gaze out the window and into the garden before catching sight of another image on the windowsill. Chelsea glares back at me. “Stay sleeping, Bonnie. I don’t want to give you nightmares.” I smirk to myself.
Chelsea is still on the scene, but she rarely sees Oz.
When she does, it’s like the circus coming to town.
She sweeps in, nanny and new baby boy in tow, barking orders and telling everyone how New York is the only place to live on the planet.
Poor Oz. He doesn’t get to speak to her about school or the football team he’s in because once she’s informed us about her fabulous life, there’s no time for Oz to talk about his.
He copes somehow and accepts that’s how she is, although we do our best to cushion the blow.
We still don’t tell him Chelsea is visiting unless she’s walking through our front door.
We kept the method Tommy always used to prevent Ozzie from getting hurt.
It’s our only way to protect him, and sadly, he would have been hurt countless times if we hadn’t stepped in.
At the end of the day, Chelsea is Oz’s mum, and we will respect that.
No matter what happens, Tommy and I agreed that having her image, as well as Scott’s around the room, was important for the boys.
We never want them to forget their parents, despite Oz and Josh now calling us both Mum and Dad.
Thankfully, they adore their baby sister too and we’ve become a strong family unit.
From behind, his lips find my neck, making me jump, and Bonnie stirs. “How are my favourite girls doing?” Tommy whispers. I didn’t hear him come into the room.
“We’re good.” I giggle against him.
Tommy slips his hands around to my front, holding both me and our baby.
“I still can’t believe she’s ours,” he whispers again. “She’s perfect.”
I’m still in disbelief myself. “She’s incredible. We’re so lucky to have her.”
When I glance sideways, smiling towards Tommy, he captures my lips.
He whispers against my ear, “The baby’s quiet. We could blow the show off this afternoon and spend time in bed making another one. The boys and Connie have already gone ahead, so we’re all alone.”
“Tommy, we can’t,” I laugh, briefly leaving his arms and laying our baby gently in the cot we keep in this room.
Turning back to face my man, I place my palms against his chest as he circles my waist. “Your mum will be here soon to babysit Bonnie, and apart from disappointing a hundred and fifty thousand people, the boys will lynch you if you miss this gig. This is the first time they’ve been to Brae Fest and they’ve been telling all their friends at school. They’re so excited.”
“Jesus, babe, using our fans is one thing, but using our boys against me is a low blow. You know they’re my weak point. But okay, you win. We’ll go, as long as you know I’m expecting a reward if I play out of my skin today.”
“Tommy Graham, I don’t doubt it.” I giggle.
Tommy takes my hand in his. “Before we go, there’s something I want to say.”
“Okay.”
His brow wrinkles. “You know how much I love you, right?”
“You tell me every day.”
“And the kids. I love them so much too.”
Our eyes meet as I cup his jaw. “What’s going on, Tommy?”
He drops to one knee, and my heart begins to thud.
“All I want is to make our family secure and complete, so I was hoping you could help me do that by becoming my wife.”
My hands cup over my mouth as my eyes widen.
“So, my beautiful Angie, will you marry me and be mine forever?”
“What have you done with my granddaughter? Are you hiding her from me?” Tommy’s mum, Jo, barges into the room but stops abruptly when she clocks her son down on one knee. “Oh my goodness. It’s happening,” she continues with a shaky voice. “David, get in here, quick!” she calls over her shoulder.
Tommy’s dad appears behind her. “Where’s the fire? I was having a lovely chat with Ray.”
Jo nods toward us. “Look at your son.” She beams.
Meanwhile, Tommy and I don’t move. Instead, we watch their reactions like some kind of farce from the seventies.
“Did you say yes?” Jo asks, coming towards us.
“Um, I uh—” Words fail me and my face heats.
“Oh my God! You haven’t given him your answer yet.” She abruptly turns around. “Out, David.”
“What?” he replies. “I thought we were babysitting.”
“Not yet.” Jo bellows. “We can come back in a minute.”
Tommy winks at me before he calls his parents back. “Come back in. We’d better get going anyway. We’re going to be late.”
“But you… Really?” Jo blushes.
I’m torn between calming my beating heart and controlling my giggles as I give Tommy’s bewildered mother a hug and a list of timings for the baby. Once we’ve said our goodbyes and Jo has apologised for the hundredth time, we climb into the car but can’t stop laughing.
“Why didn’t you let me answer while they were there?” I ask him once we’ve got our breaths back.
“Because I wanted that moment for us. I love my mum, but it wouldn’t be long before the entire world knew our business. Not that it won’t find out soon enough.” He takes in a deep breath. “So, now we’re alone, do you have an answer for me?”
We are in love, completely committed to one another, and I truly believe we couldn’t be in a better place. I bite my lip, trying hard to keep calm and control my smile. “Yes, Tom. I’ll marry you. I’d love to be your wife.”
He slams his lips to mine, and I lose myself in him completely. After a few cherished moments, Tommy reaches into the back pocket of his jeans, and when he opens his hand, a platinum solitaire diamond ring sparkles in his palm. “This is for you. If you don’t like it, we can change it.”
My eyes nearly burst from their sockets. “It’s beautiful.”
“I got the size from another ring, so it should fit perfectly.” Tommy beams while sliding it on my finger. “Sorry, there’s no box. I couldn’t fit it in my jeans without giving the game away.”
“It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. I love it, Tom. Thank you.”
He leans forward, his head tilting slightly. “Come here.” He signals, lifting his chin. “I wanna kiss you while I have you all to myself.”
For now, we’ve agreed to keep our engagement quiet until after the gig, and Tommy has safely tucked my ring back inside his pocket.
The atmosphere backstage is electric. Brae Fest is our town’s music festival and attracts some of the biggest names in the music industry.
The boys have played here every year since their big break thirteen years ago, and it’s become a pilgrimage for their fans who meet here from all over the world.
Everyone is here. Bernie waves as I spot him on the other side of the stage, and Dani is next to him, dishing out orders.
“Hey, man,” Max says, greeting Tommy with a back slap. “Angie, you look beautiful.” He kisses my cheek. “I’m looking forward to seeing my goddaughter later.”
“Um, my goddaughter,” Ash adds, planting a kiss on my other cheek. “Hey, Tommy,” he says as they grasp hands and slap shoulders.
“You two will have to share,” I say to them, but we’re soon interrupted.
“Not if I get there first. She’s my goddaughter too.” Calla hugs me close. “You look beautiful today and are too fresh to be a mum of a three-month-old.”
I smile graciously, but somehow, I don't feel beautiful. My boobs are sore as hell, my nipples are cracked, I only just washed my hair in time, and this dress, together with my old cowboy boots, has seen better days. Maybe Calla is being kind.
"Is Bonnie still sleeping through the night?” she asks.
“Yep.”
‘Ugh. It’s not fair,” Calla jokes, poking my arm. “Out of three babies, none of mine slept through the night this early. You’re a super-mum.”
“Where are the girls?” I ask, looking around.
“In hospitality with the boys. They were so pleased to see Josh and Oz. I didn’t stand a chance of keeping them with me, but it’s always good to catch up with Connie.
“Guys, five minutes until showtime. We need to mic you up,” one of the crew calls.
Max heads off, Calla follows Ash towards the mic technician, and I stand back and take in my sexy-as-hell drummer. He’s wearing a black Foo Fighters tour t-shirt, faded blue jeans, and Vans. I swear to God he’s hotter than ever and being a father of three suits him.
“Do you want to tell them now?” he whispers in my ear.