Epilogue 1 - Kylie
Luc had three days with us before he headed back to work. Willow’s birth was at least timed with a home stand so he could be in town.
The end of the season was mired in a massive scandal, as two players were suspended while they investigated wrongdoing. Kendra was tight-lipped about it, and Luc was more stressed than usual. But their playoff bid was likely to be lost thanks to the behavior. Two key players wouldn’t be available.
As hectic as the end of my pregnancy had been, Willow made up for it by being the easiest newborn on the planet.
She breastfed easily and only cried when she needed something.
We spent as much time snuggling on the couch as we could, and even when he was exhausted, Luc got up and helped me with her at night.
Delia arrived the day after she was born and was a huge help when Luc had to go back on the road. She and my mother traded off during the first road trip.
And Luc? He would be the best stay-at-home dad—all we needed was to get through this season.
“Are you sad you won’t have a ring to show for your career?” Until the scandal, the team had a solid chance and was predicted to win it all. Now it looked like he’d be leaving the game without one.
“Honestly, that’s not the ring I’m focused on right now. If I ever want to go back later, I can. But I’m not at all uncertain about my decision.”
From the moment he got home each day, he held her, wearing her in what he called his “Daddy shirt,” a t-shirt I had found on TikTok that was well worth the splurge.
We hadn’t been home from the hospital for more than an hour before Luc slipped a ring on my finger.
It was the same ring he’d presented me multiple times, and I had turned down.
But in the end, it couldn’t have been more perfect than when it happened.
Had he asked me first, I would have said yes, but I think it meant more to him that I was the one asking.
Everything had taken a non-traditional path, but it had been perfect for us.