Epilogue
Wyatt
Two Years Later
Alice sits on the front porch with a glass of sweet tea and a fuzzy pink blanket.
It’s nearing spring so we’ve been seeing warmer weather, but there’s still a bite in the air before the sun is up.
Right now, the sun is barely peeking over the horizon and that chill is chillier than ever, though the pink and orange sky makes up for it.
I land a kiss on the top of her head and settle into the rocker next to her. “You’re up way too early. Thought you were sleeping in.”
She rubs her hand over her expanded stomach and rolls her head toward me. “Baby girl has been up kicking all night. I think maybe she knows about the tree fort and she’s showing her excitement by getting her legs in shape for the climb.”
I smile and reach for my wife’s hand, brushing my thumb over the back of it as we talk. “Do you want me to say something to her?”
Alice bites back a smile and nods.
“Okay, Riley honey,” I stand up from the rocker and kneel between Alice’s thick thighs, my hands resting on her pretty little bump, “your mama and I love you to high heaven, but you’ve gotta give her a rest today.
She’s got a big party tonight. We’re celebrating her front-page article in the Gazette.
” I kiss Alice’s belly. “I know you don’t know what that means so you’ll have to trust me when I say it’s a big deal. She’s kind of a local celebrity.”
Alice pushes my shoulder playfully and dips into a southern accent as she says, “Why yes, I am the biggest of local celebrities. Everyone knows that the girl that writes the article on local ranch life and the risin’ cost of hay is a star!”
I ignore my sweet peach and continue talking to our little girl.
“She is a star, and your brother and I are very proud of her. That’s why we’re having a party tonight.
You’ll see soon enough. She’s the sweetest, smartest, most loving mama you could ever ask for.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll look just like her.
” I rub my palm over Alice’s belly as my girl presses her tiny little foot out so far that I can see the outline of her toes.
“Damn. She’s about to claw her way out of there. ”
“I know.” Alice leans her head back and closes her eyes. “I can’t believe we have four more weeks. Maybe the doctor got the dates mixed up.”
“Are we ready for a four week head start?”
“No.” She laughs under her breath and shakes her head. “Not at all. I mean, can you believe we’re about to have two kids under two? I was reading in this pregnancy magazine that households with two working parents need very strict schedules, I still have to get the hospital bag ready, and—”
“I thought we weren’t reading pregnancy magazines anymore. They stress you out.”
“I know, but when they’re sitting right in front of me at the doctor’s office, it’s hard to resist an article on The Best Times of the Day to Breastfeed for Optimal Brain Development.”
Now I’m laughing. “Are you serious?”
She nods slowly, her eyes wide. “Apparently, I should be nursing only on even hours… unless the moon is full, then I’m gold.”
I kiss my wife’s belly and stand from the ground before reaching for her hand. “Come on. I’m calling the doctor right now to demand they take those magazines out of the office.”
“Yeah?” She leans into my chest as close as she can, given the belly that’s expanded between us. “And what makes you think they’d listen to you?”
“They just signed a contract to have their office renovated with Blackrock. So, if they don’t listen, I’ll toss all those magazines in the cement mixer instead.”
She grins wide and tips up onto her toes, landing a kiss on my lips. “My hero.”
Something about this moment reminds me of our wedding day. Maybe it’s the way her pregnant belly presses against mine, or the way the spring breeze passes between us, or that we’re only a few hundred feet from the creek we married at, it’s hard to say, but I’m glad the memory is here to hold on to.
At one point, I thought I’d lost everything. I was at the bottom of the barrel, desperate to get my life back on track, desperate for a second chance with the girl I knew I couldn’t live without.
Somehow, someway, that second chance found me.
It found me and it filled me up. It found me and gave me everything I’ve ever wanted… my Alice.
Alice, the sweetest, ripest, juiciest peach I’ve ever known. The only slice of pie I’ll ever need. The woman who’s given me purpose, a family, and a place to call home.
If that’s not a happily-ever-after, I don’t know what is.
THANK YOU FOR READING.
READ SARA’S STORY HERE.