EPILOGUE
Two Years Later
“I am not sure that I have visited anyone else in the hospital more than I have visited you two,” Jared grumbled, but Sawyer could see the humor in Boss Man’s eyes.
“Life’s tough, big guy,” Angela said quietly.
Sawyer gave her a quick once-over, smoothing his hand over her hair. Life was tough. That was for sure. But it gave just as hard as it took. Life was hell as much as it was precious, and he would never take that for granted.
“Is it a good time?” Jared asked.
“Yes, but they’re not—”
The door opened again. Jared stepped to the side. A cautious nurse scrutinized Jared but then instructed him to hold the door. Boss Man obeyed, and the nurse rolled the little bed into the room and parked it next to Sawyer at Angela’s side.
Sawyer scooped his daughter into his arm and adjusted the little cap over her tiny head before handing her to Angela. Then he picked up his son and cradled him in the crook of his arm.
Jared let out a long, slow breath, shaking his head. “Hearing about twins is one thing.” He took a cautious step closer. “Seeing them is another.”
Angela, barely semi-rested but glowing, grinned. “I just said the same thing about carrying them versus holding them.”
Sawyer approached Jared and shifted his son into Boss Man’s gentle hold. “This is Alexander. Alex for short.”
“One hell of a cute kid,” Jared said, surprising Sawyer with his ease at holding a newborn. “What about Princess over there?”
“Grace.” Angela kissed the top of their little girl’s head and looked up at Sawyer, radiating warmth. “Alex and Grace.”
Jared offered Alex back to Sawyer, and after a careful handoff, crossed his arms and nodded approvingly. Sawyer held Alex and perched on the edge of the bed next to his wife.
“Good names. Strong ones.” The corners of Jared’s lips lifted.
“They could call you Uncky Jared,” Angela offered.
“Was that baby talk?” Jared lifted a hand. “Don’t push your luck.”
“Uncky Boss Man,” she suggested, trying not to laugh.
He retreated a step. “All right. Congratulations. But I’ve gotta head out before all of this domesticated bliss gives me a migraine.”
The door quietly shut behind Jared. Sawyer focused on his wife. He remembered the first moment he saw Angela. Now, he stared at everything she’d given to him. A life. Children. Salvation . He might’ve kept her alive, but she had saved his soul.