Epilogue
Three years later
MOLLY
The second I bend over to pick up a box, Cass snatches it out of my hands with a look.
"You are too pregnant for boxes."
I sigh and roll my eyes, but she's not wrong. My belly is so big, I haven't seen my vagina in months. Grey says she's fine, though.
"But I--"
"Nope" She sets the box back down and physically turns me, escorting me back to the front porch where I've been reading.
It's gorgeous out, a perfect spring day, but I'm too distracted with everyone here.
The gang came together to help move in the last of Grey's things from his grandmother's house now that we're renting it out.
The addition for the nursery is finally finished thanks to Grey and Danny's hard work and the help of a contractor. But Danny and Grey did as much as they could themselves, built it by hand.
Grey is well aware that I love a good surprise--between that and my lack of mobility, I've been banished since they started painting a couple weeks ago. Cass and Jessa teamed up to put the room together with inspiration from my Pinterest boards and the baby's registry.
It's been a wonderful sort of torture trying to sneak a peek. But now that it's time? I'm crawling out of my skin.
Cass deposits me on the porch swing, disturbing Scout, who was curled up asleep.
"Cassidy, if I have to wait much longer, I'm going to die."
"You won't die, I promise. Now, stay."
I sigh again, settling into the cushions. "Oh, all right. Hurry up!"
"Just give us a couple more minutes," she says, zooming back into the house.
Scout shifts so she's pressed against my hip as I push off lazily with my toes.
One hand slides down Scout's side, the other resting absently on the swell of my belly.
My wedding ring catches the sunlight, twinkling, and I imagine Ruth Ellen is here with me.
She would be so proud, so happy for Grey, for us.
Baby Ruthie pushes against my hand like she knows every thought in my brain. I can't say she kicks--I'm pretty sure it's her little butt she's nudging me with, since she's already turned and ready for the exit.
Seriously, thank god the nursery is done.
I was starting to lose sleep. I mean, there's no comfortable position in the world right now, so I don't think I'd be sleeping much anyway.
But dang, we were down to the wire on this one.
Today's my due date, for goodness sake. But Grey said it would be done, and when he makes a promise, you can take it to the bank.
Three years. I can't believe it's been three years, it's all gone so fast. Two years ago, he proposed with his grandmother's ring and a declaration of his love that brought me down to my knees with him.
Last year, when the forests were in full, fresh bloom, we were married in a clearing much like where Cass and Wilder's renewal was held.
The ceremony was small, my dress was exquisite, and Grey looked incredible in his gorgeous, well-cut black suit.
All I wanted to do was get him out of it.
We started trying for a baby a few months in, and bam--here comes Ruthie.
Grey has had all my firsts.
Where do I even start?
On my first road trip, we went to Charleston, and I saw the ocean for the first time.
Cried like a baby. Grey and I got matching peach tattoos on our inner wrists, and every time I see his, I flush like a schoolgirl.
I went on my first roller coaster, camped for a whole weekend, skinny dipped at a waterfall in the moonlight.
I even got a tiny little nose ring. Such a rebel.
We spent our honeymoon at a resort in Mexico, built into the jungle on the Caribbean coast. I flew for the first time.
Snorkeled. Zip lined! Canoed into caves on crystalline water, swam in underground rivers.
Basically, I lost it every five minutes.
Our suite was on the river with a swim up patio, the resort built around the caves and coves cut by the river.
It was rugged and natural and breathtakingly beautiful, just like Grey.
Then the firsts I didn't even clock. Like our first married fight, and more importantly, the makeup after. Or being called Mrs. Brooks for the first time. Hearing Ruthie's heartbeat.
Sometimes I don't know how I got here, how I found myself in the most beautiful life. It's more than I ever dreamed of, more than I even knew was out there waiting for me.
His voice carries through the new screen door, and I smile on instinct. Scout is warm against my hip. The baby shifts, morphing my belly. And for a moment, I'm just so grateful all of this is mine.
But it hasn't all been easy. Carlin took a plea deal for twenty years, and I try not to think about him.
My relationship with my mom is strained by her lies, softened by my pregnancy.
I didn't know I'd want her with me as much as I do.
And then there's my parents' divorce. My father's estrangement.
The awkwardness when she and Danny are in the same place.
The paternity test and navigating the bureaucratic maze as we tried to update my birth certificate.
Rob wouldn't sign the affidavit, so we had to go through the courts.
But it was worth it. Now, it's official, legal after all these years.
Danny's entry into my life has been smooth and easy, much like him.
He walked me down the aisle, danced with me at my wedding, became a constant, solid fixture in my life, my heart.
He's so excited for the baby, always bringing little gifts for her, things he saw and thought of her.
I can't help but think this is a second chance for him too.
The screen door opens, and Grey appears looking a little sweaty and dirty and devastating as ever. My stomach flips--god, he is unfairly hot. His lips tilt in a smile, and he looks me over for a moment like he's memorizing the sight.
I pop up a little straighter. "Is it time?"
He chuckles as he approaches, extending a hand. Everything about him is easy and casual but his eyes. He's nervous.
As if he could ever disappoint me.
"It's time."
I snatch his hand and pull, but I'm enormous, planetary, and he really has to but a little muscle into it.
With that, we manage, and I'm on my feet, my hand lost in his as he tows me into the house.
The hallway is crowded with our friends--Cass and Wilder, Jessa and Remy, Tate and Shelby.
Danny. They share secretive smiles that send a little shiver of excitement down my spine.
We stop, and Grey says, "Close your eyes, peaches."
I'm vibrating with excitement as I do. I smell fresh paint and new wood, feel Grey's hands on me, steady, warm, safe as he guides me into the hall, then into the room--I can feel when the space opens up around me.
He's behind me, one hand where my waist used to be. And then his lips are at my ear.
"Open."
My eyes fly open.
Instantly, they are full of tears.
Light shines through pale curtains, setting the soft peach walls in a perfect glow, illuminating the natural wood crib, changing table, shelves.
The cream rocking chair is big and cushy, the fabric accents in the room off white and sage green.
Everything is warm and soft and golden and waiting for our little girl.
I can't speak.
I drift into the room, my hand reaching out to slide across the top of the changing table, then the crib.
As I approach, I realize it's handmade. My head swivels to find my dad, unable to hold back his tears, his face tight with emotion.
He nods once, small. I turn back to it. He made this, he built this.
I choke back a sob, swipe away my tears.
My gaze shifts to the built in shelves that match my library.
Grey. And the books! I gasp, my eyes skipping and hopping across all of the titles, my favorite books, even down to the baby books.
Cass's voice is wobbly when she says, "I left you room in case I forgot anything."
I'm silent, overwhelmed, taking it in piece by piece.
"It's perfect," I manage.
A collective sigh of relief eases the mood.
"Thank god," Tate says. "I was covered in peach paint for a week."
Chuckling rolls through us all, and I thread through them all for hugs and thank yous and belly rubs chaos and love. They're dispersing as I approach Danny, and the second I'm in his arms, neither of us can say anything. He squeezes me tight, and I cry into his chest for a moment.
"Thank you so much, Daddy," I say, the words hitching. "I love you."
"Love you too." It's all he can get out, hugging me tighter, then kissing my cheek before letting me go. He ducks his head, swiping at tears, then meets Grey's eyes and nods before turning to follow everyone out.
And then it's just me and Grey.
It's a sudden stillness, a settling, safe feeling.
He's watching me from next to the rocker, just taking it all in.
His pale eyes shine, the light kissing the edge of his body--his jaw, his biceps and forearms, solid as bedrock.
I'm across the room and slipping into his arms, but he catches me off guard when he sits in the chair, bringing me with him, pulling me into his lap as he does.
"Grey, I weigh a thousand pounds," I say on a laugh, trying to get up, which is hilarious on its own.
He chuffs, his arms tightening. "C'mere."
With a sigh, I give up and melt into him, resting my head on his shoulder. For a quiet moment he rocks us, his big, strong hand resting on my belly. The baby wiggles, and he strokes the spot where he felt her.
"Hey to you too," he says in such a way that I am absolutely certain she's going to have him wrapped around her finger.
I imagine him holding our baby, and my very full uterus flutters like she's not currently occupied.
The sight of his wedding band on the hand resting on my belly does not help matters.
"I love you," I say on a happy sigh. "Thank you. It's…it's just…" My voice breaks. "It's perfect."
"I was scared shitless that you wouldn't like it."
"You could never disappoint me," I tell him, echoing my earlier thought.
"Don't jinx it, peaches."
I lift my head so I can see him, saying soberly, "I mean it."
He softens, says quietly, "I know you do." He strokes my jaw, watching his fingertips. "I spent my whole life believing I would never have this. You. Her." He presses his hand to my belly. "You gave me everything, Molly."
My throat is so tight, I can barely speak. But I manage.
"That makes two of us."
And when his lips find mine, they are soft. Sure.
Forever.