Epilogue
SABLE
ONE YEAR LATER
“Did you make a wish?” I ask after Nellie blows out the candle on her cupcake.
We’re at the cemetery for her birthday and her mom’s celebration of life.
I’ve now been included in this momentous occasion, even though I’ve never once asked to join them.
When the time came, Nellie grabbed my hand without saying a word, led me to Colt, and we loaded up together in his truck.
The day was Mother’s Day, and she changed the flowers like she usually does and had a moment alone with Brooke.
I held Colt’s hand, wanting to be there with her the entire time, especially when she brushed a tear off her cheek.
He held me back, telling me the same thing Kara told him.
‘You have to let her feel all the feelings—grief, sadness, happiness. She needs this. And while all we want to do is protect her from anything and everything, we also have to let her work this out.’ Colt also mentioned that after her last birthday, he almost put a stop to her visiting Brooke but thought better of it after the talk with Kara.
“I always make a wish. You never know when it’s going to come true.” Colt and I are sitting on either side of her, holding each other’s hands. He gives me a squeeze of encouragement to keep the conversation flowing.
“I do, too, every single year.”
“Me too. Daddy doesn’t know this, but last year, I hoped for someone like you.
” The air leaves my lungs. Breathing is hard to come by right now, and tears instantly slide down my cheeks.
I think of Nellie as my own, as a daughter in every sense of the word.
I include her in everything I can, like talking on the phone with Rafe via video call or when it’s a normal call.
When it comes to taking her to school or picking her up, she gets the choice on who takes her.
Nine times out of ten, it’s me. We walk to and from, and Nellie keeps the conversation going non-stop.
She talks about the weather, the upcoming holidays, and what she wants to paint next.
Each day is a gift she and Colt have given me, and I look forward to every one of them.
“You did?” Colt’s face portrays his shock. I’m sure mine looks similar, given what Nellie plopped out there.
“Yeah. I know my mom is in heaven. But I want one here, with us, and I wanted you to be happy.”
“Nellie, my girl.” Emotion clogs his throat, and he wraps us up in his arms, Nellie in between us. It seems both of us are in for a shock of a lifetime.
“I love you, Daddy, and I love Sable, too. I only wanted you to be happy like Mimi and Poppy.” She’s buried between us. Colt kisses the top of her head, and I don’t think I’ve ever been held as tightly as we are right now.
“I’ve got my two girls, so I couldn’t be happier, and I love that you love Sable.
One day, not right now because today is your day, but I’ll ask Sable to be my wife, and as long as you’re okay with that, she’ll be in our lives forever.
” His eyes move from Nellie’s to mine, bouncing back and forth, conveying to both of us what he means.
“And can I say that I love you two very much? The best thing to ever happen to me is my car breaking down. Betty White really did me a solid on that night a year ago. She brought me to you.” I didn’t think my day could get any brighter, yet one tiny eight-year-old made the sun shine even brighter.
“I love you, too. Now can we work on a baby sister or baby brother?” She has been on this kick for a couple of months now.
Colt and I have talked about our future, and while we fell fast and hard, going all in, we wanted to take the first year of our time together to really soak it in, and honestly, to make sure Nellie is truly okay with all of the changes.
“We’ll work on it, don’t you worry,” Colt says, shooting me a wink, very much into his practice, making it perfect any chance we can get.
We’ve currently taken to showering twice a day—before Nellie wakes up and after she goes to sleep.
We’re still working on boundaries. Sometimes it’s better than usual, and sometimes she’ll barge right in without knocking.
One time, we almost got caught, which is why we’ve taken to our alone time together when she’s passed out or at Colt’s parents’ house or with Kara.
“Good.” All I can do is laugh. These two have it all planned out, and that’s perfectly fine with me.