EPILOGUE
ROWAN
Today is a huge day for our family. Not just because Hazel is turning one year old, but because our adoption papers are final. Hazel is officially Hazel Williams.
Everly and I got engaged a few months ago and I asked her if she would be okay with me adopting Hazel when I asked her to marry me. I don’t just want Everly in my life. I want Hazel too and I want them both to share my last name.
We haven’t heard anything more from Travis’ family or Laura, and Lenny said there was no issue with us going through with the adoption.
Now, I can officially call Hazel my daughter, even though a piece of paper didn’t make that real for me.
She was mine from the moment I saw her, just like her mom .
Today, we’re having everyone at our new house for Hazel’s first birthday party.
We moved into this house a few weeks ago.
We know that we want more kids someday, so the two-bedroom house we had just wasn’t going to cut it in the long term.
We found a house close to where my brother’s house is.
It’s not far from the clubhouse or the school and it has a big yard where Hazel can play.
My brother and I spent one weekend building a big playset for her.
It was an early birthday present from him, and she loves the swing.
He’s a big sap for his niece and an even bigger sap for his daughter.
Grayson was already a sucker for Asher, but it’s worse with his daughter.
She has everyone in that house wrapped around her finger. Her brother included.
The house itself has four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms with a large kitchen and living area, a dining room, and a finished basement with a media room.
It’s an old house that was remodeled but still has the character that was built in decades ago.
Everly and I fell in love with it as soon as we walked onto the property.
I can see us sitting on that large porch in rocking chairs watching our kids play.
I see our future every time I look at her.
We spend the day with our family and friends watching our daughter play and shove her face into her chocolate cake. We open her presents even though she’s more interested in the boxes and bags that they come in. Who knew that a kid’s birthday party could be so exhausting?
My family sticks around to help us get everything cleaned up and then they say their goodbyes, leaving us to get our daughter ready for bed.
Hazel makes me read her three books before she finally settles down for the night.
I tuck her in and give her a kiss on the cheek before going in search of my woman.
I find her in our bathroom removing her makeup. I stand in the doorway and stare at her for a moment.
“What are you staring at?”
“You.”
She snorts. “Why?”
“Because you’re so damn beautiful and I’m so damn lucky,” I tell her as I walk behind her and wrap my arms around her.
She turns around in my arms and faces me. “Oh yeah?”
“Definitely,” I murmur.
“Come with me,” she says as she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bedroom.
I look down at our connected hands and the ring on her finger. It gives me so much pride seeing her wear it. It’s an emerald cut in a gold setting. It’s perfect for her delicate fingers. She pulls me to her side of the bed, stopping in front of her nightstand.
“Oh, you want me to come with you,” I murmur huskily.
She playfully slaps my chest. “Close your eyes.”
I do. “This isn’t stopping the fantasy, darlin’.”
She places something in my hand and my brow furrows. “You can open them.”
The nervousness in her tone has me curious. My eyes crack open, and I look down at my hand. Sitting in my palm is a pregnancy test. A positive pregnancy test. My eyes shoot to hers.
“You’re pregnant?” I ask.
She nods her head.
I yank her into my arms and hold her close. “I’m so fucking happy, Everly,” I assure her.
“You are?” She mumbles against my chest.
I pull back to look at her. “I am. I can’t wait to have another baby with you.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.
I’ll give you all the babies you want and cherish every moment.
You’ve already given me the greatest gift in letting me be Hazel’s dad. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
She looks up at me with a smile. “You show your appreciation for us every day, Ro. I see your love for Hazel and for me. I see what you do to keep us safe and happy. I love the family that we have; the family that we’re creating. I wouldn’t want this any other way.”
I reach out and cup her cheek, gently tilting her face up to mine. I brush my lips against hers and smile. “I love you, Ev.”
“I love you, too, Ro,” she whispers against my lips.
This is all stuff I didn’t think I’d ever get in life. A woman I love. A child. My own family. Now our family is growing. If it weren’t for our paths crossing that fateful night, I wouldn’t have the life I’ve always dreamt of. I wouldn’t have this.
THE END
Keep reading for a sneak peak of Wren and Axel’s book, The Lies We Believe!