Epilogue
EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER, APRIL
MACKENZIE
Iflush the toilet, wipe my mouth, then wash my hands before brushing my teeth. The pregnancy test sits a few feet away, taunting me, two blaring pink lines bringing a smile to my face and sending my heart racing.
I’m pregnant.
Jordan and I have been married almost two years, and we’ve wanted to have another baby for a while. After six months of trying, I took a test today and I can’t wait to tell him. But I’ll have to wait, because today isn’t my day. It’s London’s.
My sweet London is two today and we’re celebrating her by taking her to the Asheboro Zoo and then going to my parents’ house for cake and ice cream.
She’s still so young, and I’m not one of those moms who throws parties for grownups.
Sorry, not sorry. So many of Jordan’s teammates have wives that go all-out for their baby’s parties and they’re great, but it’s just not my thing.
A knock at the bathroom door startles me, and I throw the pregnancy test in a drawer. When I open the door, I see my handsome husband in the doorway, his arms braced on either side. It never gets old calling him my husband.
“Are you okay, baby? It’s been a few minutes and I swear I heard you throwing up. Are you sick? Should we cancel the zoo?” My husband—y’all. He’s perfect, both physically and on the inside.
“I’m fine, J. Let’s go get the birthday girl and head out.” I try to walk past him, but he grabs my arm, gently pulling me back and meeting my eyes. Crap. I can’t keep secrets from him. He can read me like a book.
“Mack, tell me what’s going on.” He’s worried and I know I have to tell him or he’ll be like this all day.
I turn and open the drawer I slammed shut moments ago, gripping the test in my hand then shoving it into his.
“I’m pregnant.”
His eyes widen as he looks from me to the test and back again.
“You’re serious? You’re going to have my baby?
” I nod, as I feel my eyes welling up. He’s the best dad to London, and the guilt that used to overwhelm me over the fact that she isn’t biologically his has faded over time.
He’s her dad and loves her unconditionally.
Being able to do this with him again means everything to me.
“Yes.” I choke out before Jordan picks me up, setting me on the counter and leaning down to me.
“Mackenzie Mills, you just made me the happiest man in the world. I can’t wait to do this with you… again.” He is glowing with happiness and it’s contagious.
“Can we keep it quiet for a few weeks? I’m not very far along, and I want today to be about London.” He frowns at first, but agrees.
“Of course. But I think our families are going to notice something. You know how our moms are.”
“Yeah—well, let’s just try and make it through the zoo.”
He cups my face and brings his lips to mine and I sigh as I feel the familiar spark between us.
It doesn’t matter how many times we kiss—it always feels like electricity crackling and I crave him.
Deepening the kiss, he takes one of his hands to the back of my head and I grab on his shirt, pulling him to me.
“Yuck. Daddy and Mommy.” London’s sweet voice startles us as she snuck in without either of us noticing.
“What are you doing here, baby girl? Did you escape your crib again?” She laughs as Jordan tickles her sides. She has been climbing out of her bed lately, especially during nap time and today is no exception. I guess we’ll be moving her into a toddler bed soon anyway.
“Time for zoo?” She asks and we both nod as she claps her hands in excitement.
“Happy Birthday to London, Happy Birthday to you!” Our family sings as London takes in all the love and attention. She blows out the two candles on her pink unicorn cake as we all cheer and applaud her.
She gets her piece first and digs in, making a huge mess all over her face.
Jordan jumps in, cleaning her up and scooping her out of the highchair before we head into my parents’ living room.
Reagan, Riggs, and both sets of grandparents are here to celebrate.
Williams and Carter couldn’t make it, but they sent her presents.
There are enough gifts to fill her bedroom—and then some.
I’m not sure how we’re going to fit them in the car to go home.
“Auntie Rea Rea?” I hear London ask.
“Yes, baby girl.”
“You have a baby in you tummy?” Reagan and Riggs are having their first child in October, so she’s starting to show as she enters her second trimester. She’s got the cutest little bump forming and I love watching Riggs take care of her.
“Yes, your cousin is in my tummy.” Reagan points to her stomach and London walks up giving it a kiss.
“That’s so sweet, London.” Jordan says and then winks at me. This man is going to out me to the family—I just know it. But as soon as I think about it, someone else decides to take it into their own hands.
Toddling over to me, London puts her hands on my flat belly. “Mommy has baby too.” Shock ripples around the room as everyone looks at me with questioning eyes.
“Surprise?” I say like it’s a question and then everyone screams in delight, descending on Jordan and me with hugs, tears, and congratulations.
“When are you due?” I hear.
“December 25th.”
“First you become my sister, and now we’re pregnant together! All our teenage dreams are coming true. You just need to buy the house for sale on our street and we’ll be set for life.” I laugh at her, hugging her to me.
“About that…” I hear my husband clear his throat and I look over to see that he’s blushing.
“What’s going on, J?” I hear Reagan question her brother.
“I sort of bought the house—today.”
“What?” Someone screams—I realize that someone is me. The house they’re referring to is a few down from Riggs and Reagan, and one that I fell in love with as I watched them build it when we’d visit.
“I’m sorry, baby, I just got so excited when you told me we were pregnant.
I started thinking we need a house with a yard and of course we’ll stay in Charlotte during the season, but when it’s not, we can live here around our family.
Then when I retire, we’ll come here full-time. I promise I was going to tell you.”
I stop him with a kiss to his perfect lips before he can finish. I can tell I’ve surprised him as I pull back and look into those deep brown eyes. “I love you so much. You’ve made every one of my dreams come true.”
“So—you aren’t mad?”
“No, J. I’m not mad. I love living this life with you, surprises and all.” He smiles and leans in for another kiss, just as London pulls on his leg. Grabbing her, he pulls her up into his arms and she puts her hands on either side of his face.
“Daddy. Pwesents. Pwease?” We both laugh and he kisses her cheek as she lets go of his.
“Yes, baby girl. Presents.”
We spend the next half hour watching London open her presents. Jordan puts his arm around me, pulling me close and kissing the top of my head.
“I can’t believe we got here.” I say, looking up. He smiles down at me, eyes full of love and adoration.
“I’ve loved you since we were fourteen. There never has been—and never will be—anyone but you. I’ve always been yours and now, you’re mine. Forever.”
“Forever.”