Epilogue
One Year, Three Months, Six Days, Twelve Hours, Fifteen Minutes, And Thirty-Six Seconds Later. Approximately.
I look in the mirror, my hands going to my waist, where my stomach has started to expand. I love this. I love knowing that our baby is growing inside me. We were worried for a while after we started trying to have a baby because I didn’t get pregnant right away, but the doctors all assured me that sometimes it just takes time. It was worth the wait. When I took that pregnancy test and saw the positive sign for the first time, I thought I was going to pass out from excitement. Kenton just looked stunned, like he couldn’t believe it had finally happened.
“Baby, seriously, we’re going to be late if you don’t move your ass,” Kenton says, walking into the bathroom.
Our eyes meet in the mirror and mine narrow. “I would be ready if I didn’t puke every ten minutes and pee every five from your child. So if you want to blame anyone for my lateness, you need to look in the mirror.”
“Babe, I got you up four hours ago knowin’ you get sick in the mornings and you need time to wake up and use the bathroom a million times before we can leave the house.”
I feel my eyes narrow further and my fists start to clench at my sides.
“I wanna meet my kid, baby,” he says gently, a small smile forming on his lips as his hands come around my waist, his thumbs moving over my bump. All the annoyance I was feeling seconds ago leaves, and then tears start to fill my eyes. “What am I gonna do with you?” he asks, taking in the tears filling my eyes.
“Love me,” I say as he pulls me into his chest. These pregnancy hormones are killers. One minute, I feel like I’m on top of the world; the next, I want to kill someone. Luckily, Kenton loves me all the time.
“So today’s the big day, huh?” the nurse says, handing me a dressing gown. I look at her and smile, nodding my head. “Well, I’ll just let you get changed, and the doctor should be in in a few minutes.” She closes the door behind her, and I start to get undressed.
“Are you nervous?” Kenton asks.
I turn to look at him, my eyebrows coming together. “Why would I be nervous?”
“You know, what if it’s a girl?” He shrugs.
I smile and start to laugh. All of his cousins have girls; it seems their firsts are always girls. I don’t know what’s bringing this on now, but we’ve talked about the sex of the baby before and he’s always said that he would be happy with whatever we have as long as he or she is healthy.
“What’s bringing this on?” I ask him as I finish getting undressed and putting the gown on before hopping up on the table.
“I talked to Nico last night. He was telling me how different it feels having girls than boys and how, with the girls, he’s worried nonstop, but with his boy, his emotions have seemed to even out some.”
Nico and Sophie had a little boy a few weeks ago. I’m sure it is different having boys, but I can’t imagine it being that different. “So now you’re worried?” I guess.
“I think about you nonstop all day long,” he says softly, causing my breath to pause. “I just worry that I won’t have enough of me left over.”
I let out a breath, and my heart lightens. “You have the biggest heart of anyone I know.” I hop off the table and go to him, pushing my fingers through his hair. “No matter if we have a boy or girl, I know you will find room for all of us.”
His head tilts back and his eyes meet mine. “Love you, babe.”
“Love you too.” I bend my head down and kiss him just as the door opens and the doctor walks in.
“How are you guys today?” Denise, our doctor, asks.
Kenton stands to greet her with a hug, and Denise smiles and hugs him back with a pat to his cheek. Denise is about seventy years old and should probably retire, but she told me the first time I met her that she will probably be working until the day she dies. She’s the same doctor who delivered Kenton and would be delivering our baby if everything goes as planned.
I go back to the table and hop on top, lying back before answering, “We’re really good.” I smile at her, running my hand over my stomach.
“Well, you look really good, and all the work-ups we did look perfect. I just need to check you over to make sure everything looks okay, and then we can see what you’re having.”
“Sounds good,” I say.
She smiles at me and then Kenton before proceeding with the internal exam. Then she lets me put my pants back on before having me lie back on the bed again. She tucks a paper towel under the edges of my leggings and lifts my shirt farther up, exposing the rest of my stomach before squirting lubricant there.
Kenton comes to stand next to me, wrapping his hand around mine. The loud sound of a heartbeat pulses through the room, and I watch the dark screen next to my head, trying to make out our baby. When I see the figure emerge through the black, tears start to fill my eyes as they always do when I see our child.
“Look at how big he is already,” Denise says, and my eyes go to her before my head tilts back so I can see Kenton’s face.
“We’re having a boy?” I ask when I don’t see Kenton react at all. I wonder if he even caught on to what she just said.
“You are.” I hear the smile in her voice as Kenton’s head tilts down and he looks at me.
“Well, Daddy, what do you have to say about that?” I ask him.
“Thank you.” He bends, kissing my mouth. Before he pulls his lips away, he whispers, “I want a girl too. You’re right. I have enough room for a lot more.”
I nod and lift my head slightly, pressing a kiss to his lips as I feel tears slide down my cheeks. I’m looking forward to sharing that with him.
*
Three years, one month, six days, twenty-two hours, six minutes, and two seconds later.
“Honey, you need to put her down,” I tell Kenton as I walk into the living room.
He’s sitting on the couch, wearing a pair of sweats and nothing else. The football game’s on the TV, the sound low in the background as our sleeping daughter lies in his arms and our son sits at his side, his head laying against his chest with his eyes closed. Half the time, I wonder if he pretends to be asleep just so he can spy on us. He knows far too much for a three-year-old.
“She just knocked out,” he says softly, looking down at her before looking at me again.
I roll my eyes and shake my head, knowing that he’s lying. If he’s home, the kids are on him. I love seeing him with them, but when he’s not home and I have our kids, when I’m alone and they both want to be held all the time, it makes it hard to get stuff done around the house.
“Your mom’s on her way over with Viv. They want to look at the backyard and measure to see if they can fit a play set back there.”
“She doesn’t give up, does she?” he gripes, looking down at Annabelle again.
I know exactly what he’s thinking. The minute his mom walks in the door, the kids are no longer ours. They are all Grandma’s, and he hates it.
“You have something in common.” I smirk.
“Well, seems like she will be useful while she’s here after all,” he mumbles.
“What does that mean?” I ask, my eyes narrowing as I watch a smirk form on his lips.
“You’re gonna find something to do with that smart mouth of yours while Mom takes care of the kids for us for a little while.”
I feel a tingle begin and am all of a sudden very anxious for Nancy to show up.
“Strip. Then get on your knees, babe,” Kenton grunts, backing me into our bathroom.
As soon as Nancy walked into the house, Kenton handed the kids off to her. I could tell by the twinkle in her eyes that she knew exactly what was going on. Thank God Maz was awake so she couldn’t say anything that would have me turning red.
I quickly strip and drop to my knees, watching as Kenton locks the door to the bathroom behind him.
“Finally, she listens,” he mumbles.
I ignore that comment and just enjoy watching him walk towards me. His hands go to his sweats, one pushing them down until his cock springs free, the other hand wrapping around himself, stroking as he walks to me.
“Open.” His eyes lock on my mouth as I open for him. The second the head of his cock touches my tongue, I moan. “I think you love sucking me off more than I like it, and I like it a whole hell of a lot.”
His hand runs down my cheek, his thumb going to my chin. He pulls down on my jaw, making me open more as he slides deeper into my mouth, hitting the back of my throat. His hand lowers, running down my neck then over each nipple, giving them a tug. I moan around him and us one hand to cup his balls before wrapping around the base of his cock, twisting on each thrust, while my other hand goes between my legs.
“Show me how wet you are for me,” he demands, and I pull my slick fingers out from between my legs. His hand wraps around my wrist, pulling my fingers to his mouth.
The heat and feel of his tongue on my fingers has me releasing him from my mouth and leaning my head back. Before I can even ask him to f*ck me, I’m up and bent over the vanity, his foot kicks my legs farther apart, and I feel the head of his cock touch my entrance. I expect him to enter me slowly, but he surprises me by covering my mouth with his hand as he slams deep in one fast thrust. I scream out, my teeth biting into his palm. His hand pulls my face to the side so he can take my mouth in a deep kiss while he moves rapidly behind me.
“Tilt your ass higher,” he says, and I rise up on my tiptoes and put my palms flat down on the vanity, getting more leverage. “Look at us.”
My eyes go to his in the mirror and I take us in. His suntanned skin makes mine look creamy white in comparison. His large size behind me makes me look more feminine somehow. My red hair is down, cascading over my shoulders in a wavy mess. We look like we belong on the cover of an old romance novel. His hands move over me before one wraps under my neck, the other holding my breast; the visual alone has my orgasm approaching quickly.
“Come for me. I want to feel it.” His words, cock, and hands send me over as I turn my head, pressing my forehead into his neck. I hear and feel him growl his release as his thrusts slow and his hips jerk.
“Love you,” I tell him, turning towards the mirror so I can look into his eyes.
“You too, baby,” he says, pulling me a little closer to him as I feel his thumb run over the scar on my shoulder.
“Autumn, Anna’s diaper needs changing!” we hear Nancy yell, breaking the moment.
I look at Kenton and roll my eyes. Unless the kids are at her house, she doesn’t do diapers. She says that she changed enough of them to last a lifetime.
“I’ll take care of our girl while you get dressed.” He smiles.
“Thanks,” I moan as he pulls out.
He turns me in his arms, kissing me deeply before releasing me, grabbing a washcloth, and cleaning us up. After washing his hands, he leaves the bathroom. I stand there for a few minutes looking at myself in the mirror. When I look into my eyes, I see a woman who knows what love is, and that feeling alone has me hurrying to get dressed so I can go be with my family.
*
“Are you sure that’s him?” I ask, leaning across Kenton, who is sitting in the driver’s seat of our truck so I can get a better view out his window.
“I’m sure, baby,” he says gently, running a hand down my back.
I look from the young man I’m supposed to be meeting in a few minutes to my husband. “What if he hates me?” I ask. It’s the same question I’ve asked every time we have spoken about this moment.
“No one could ever hate you, and if he does, I’ll kick his ass.”
“You better be nice,” I say firmly. I know him, and he will do just as he says.
“You know I will be. Now, are you ready to go over there?”
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head and looking back out the window at the young man.
He’s handsome, with dark hair, golden skin, and a long, lean frame that makes me think of his dad. I watch him as he takes a drink of coffee before setting it on the table, lifting his wrist to look at his watch.
“He’s waiting for you, baby.”
“I’m so scared,” I say quietly, sitting back in my seat. My stomach in knots from the anxiety.
“My warrior is never afraid of anything, and if she is, she knows I will be there to fight along with her.”
I look into his golden eyes, the same eyes I fell in love with all those years ago, and smile, feeling tears fill my eyes. I have no idea how I got so lucky. I lean forward, this time putting my hand behind his neck and pulling his face forward so I can reach his mouth.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his lips.
“Anything for you.”
I smile and open the door to the truck, hopping out before he can make it around to my side.
“What did I tell you about waiting for me?” he grumbles, grabbing my hand.
I shake my head but don’t reply; we would be arguing for the next hour if I did. We walk across the street, and the second we hit the sidewalk, Dane’s head lifts, his eyes lock on mine, and I see for the first time that his eyes are blue.
“Autumn.” He says my name, and tears pool in my eyes.
I nod and squeeze Kenton’s hand so hard that I’m surprised it doesn’t break.
“Kenton.” Dane’s says, sticks out his hand, and gives it a shake before pulling back. “Can I get a hug?” he asks me, and I feel my body shake but nod anyways.
His arms come around me and I realize how big he is. I would guess his height to be around six two; it’s hard to think that he was once growing inside me. Our kids now are still so small being just ten and seven. I start to cry harder and feel myself being transferred from him to Kenton, and as soon as I smell my husband’s familiar scent, my anxiety starts to ease and the tears start to lessen. I pull my face out of Kenton’s chest and wipe my eyes with the back of my hand.
“Sorry,” I whisper, shaking my head.
“It’s okay.” He smiles, rubbing my shoulder.
Tears sting my nose again as I wonder what his parents must be like to have raised such an amazing man.
“Let’s sit down.” Kenton says and I feel his hand on my lower back as he leads me to a chair.
“Tell me about you,” I say as soon as we’re seated.
“Well, I’m in law school and work part time at a firm. I play soccer and run track. Really, I’m kind of boring.” He shrugs.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” I ask.
He laughs, running his hand along his jaw. I can’t imagine girls his age not falling at his feet.
“What?” I ask when he doesn’t reply.
Kenton says, “Babe.”
“You sound like my mom,” he tells me. Then he looks like he thinks he shouldn’t have said that.
“Tell me about your parents,” I say softly. I hate that I couldn’t raise him, but I hope that the people who adopted him really wanted a child and loved him fiercely.
“Mom’s a schoolteacher and Dad’s a fireman. They met when my mom’s house caught fire and my dad rescued her. They were married not long after they met and started trying to have kids soon after, but it never happened for them, so they gave up and decided to adopt.” He shrugs, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Funny thing is, about a week after they brought me home, they found out my mom was pregnant, so I have a younger sister.” He smiles, and I can see how much he loves his family. “They’re really great parents.”
I nod and feel Kenton’s hand give my thigh a squeeze. “I’m so happy you had a good childhood.”
“Kenton told me a little bit about what happened and why you gave me up for adoption. I want you to know there are no hard feelings or anything.” His hand moves to his hair, running through it. “I’ve had a really great life.”
“I’m glad. I just never wanted you to hate me,” I tell him quietly.
“I didn’t, and I don’t. My parents have been upfront with me since I was little, explaining that I was adopted. I was always curious about you, but I have never been upset when I’ve thought about you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, all the fears I’ve held inside since the day he was taken from me releasing with the words he spoke. I was so worried that he hated me, and I never wanted that.
“Kenton told me you have two kids, a boy and a girl?”
“We do.” I smile at him then over at Kenton, who leans in, kissing the side of my head.
“I would love to meet them. And maybe bring my sister with me, if you don’t mind.”
“I would love that.”
“We’ll set it up for a weekend when I have time to hang out for a while.”
“Okay,” I agree with a smile.
He stands and so do I. Then he pulls me in for a hug. I hug him back, memorizing the feeling. He steps back and gives Kenton’s hand a shake.
“I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Talk to you soon,” I say as I watch him walk away before facing Kenton.
“Cool tattoo!” I hear yelled from behind me.
I turn around, seeing Dane standing on the other side of the street with his hands in his pockets. I put my finger to the skin behind my ear and bring it to my mouth, kissing it before waving goodbye to him.
We get into Kenton’s truck and I lay my head back against the seat before rolling my face in his direction. “Thank you for that.”
“Anything for you, babe,” he says, and I nod and look out the window as I listen to the truck start up.
I sit forward and put my hand over his on the gearshift. “Anything for you too. You know that, right?”
“You’ve already given me everything,”
I press my mouth to his and kiss him with every ounce of love I have for him. Then I pull back and get back in my seat. “Let’s go home.”
“Home,” he mumbles, squeezing my leg.
I wrap my hand over his and lean my head back, giving a silent thank-you to whoever makes unknown dreams come true.