Epilogue
“Can you believe the girls are going to be one already?” Mallory bounces one of the twins as I help the other, trying to walk from the couch to the table.
“It’s crazy,” I agree, throwing my arms up to catch my little girl, but her giggles tell me she’s fine.
“How was your date the other night?” I cringe while I have my back turned to Mallory.
Horrible. I talked about you and the girls all night.
Being in love with your best friend fucking sucks.
“Fine, but it’s not going to work out. She’s not into kids.” That’s as honest as I can be.
“Ugh, that sucks. Sorry, Ollie,” I turn to see her face lacking the brilliant smile I’ve always loved.
“It’s not your fault. Some women just aren’t motherly. It’s all good. It’s not like I’m out looking for a wife or anything.
No, cause you’re staring at her, you fucking idiot.
“Well, you can’t become a monk just because we have the girls. It’s not fair. Actually, that reminds me. Can you watch them on Friday night?” My back tenses.
“Sure. Study date?” I try to keep a teasing tone to hide my level of anxiety.
“Um, no. A date. I’m going to follow my own advice. We can’t stay single just because we’re co-parenting.” My heart fucking drops.
I think I’m going to throw up.
“Anyone I know?” She shakes her head and claps her hands to the rhythm of one of the toys playing music.
Our daughters clap along and bounce happily while I stare at their gorgeous mother. It was a damn miracle that we even happened. One magical moment in time that I would give my soul to repeat.
I was home on leave after training, and she was skipping prom cause she refused to go stag.
Her date had gotten food poisoning. So here she was dressed and ready, limo outside and I was the only guy around with a tux. Now, here we are with the twins after the condom broke and the morning after pill failed.
She was so scared and alone the first few months, refusing to tell anyone who the father was, and then the unthinkable happened. A crazy woman took the babies.
I shake off the memories.
“Sure, what time?” Why did I agree to let her go on a date with another man?
“Not sure yet. It’s still in the planning stages. I may not even go. A lot can happen in a week.” She shrugs and stands.
“I’m going to get their bath ready.” She messes with my hair as she passes, and tingles run down my back.
She pulled on my long locks when I was balls deep inside her, making the girls.
FUCK.
I have to stop thinking about that night. I adjust my hard-on and go back to playing with the girls. I hear the water turn on and then whispering.
“I did it.”
“No, he just said yes.”
“Well, maybe? He asked if he knew the guy.”
“I don’t know Lacey. Maybe he just isn’t interested in me like that.”
Mallory forgot the monitor was on.
I reach over and turn it off, not wanting to pry into her personal conversations, but I can’t help feeling the relief that she had made the whole date up to get my reaction.
It was a test that I failed, apparently.
“Alright, girls. We need a plan.” I sit them on my lap, one on each leg, and tickle their bellies.
Giggles surround me, and I smile.
“Operation Make Mommy Love Daddy. You two in?” They babble and blow bubbles.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I kiss their foreheads and then stand with them under each arm football style.
“Ready or not? Here we come, Mommy!” I call upstairs as I jog through the house, full of laughter and love that I desperately want to keep together.
At any cost.
Mallory Deacon doesn’t know it yet, but I will make her my wife.