14. Epilogue

Epilogue

Christmas Next Year

Mandy

M ichael and I are waiting at the doorstep of Grandma's house for the couple that purchased it from us. I've got their two sets of keys ready and am a little nervous because I have some news for Michael. The couple arrive in their minivan and get out of the car.

Their daughter is around four, and she skips next to her mother. She's so cute. Her hair has been pulled up into pigtails. The little girl rushes ahead to greet us.

"Hi!"

"Hello!" I respond with the same energy.

"This is our new house," she announces with her hands on her hips.

"I know. You're going to love living here."

Her parents finally catch up to her, and her mother gently pulls her back so she's not stepping on my toes. I wouldn't have said anything. This scene is a dream for me. Someday soon, Michael and I will have a family as beautiful as this one.

"Mr. and Mrs. Chase. Here are two sets of keys for the house. Everything is in order as we discussed yesterday at the realtor's office. My wife and I hope you have the most fabulous life in this house." Michael says.

"Thank you. We're sorry we made you come over here on Christmas Eve, but we had a few appointments in town yesterday and couldn't do this." Mr. Chase says as he turns to me. "This was your grandmother's house, right Mrs. Hoffer?"

"Yes. I grew up here and have the fondest memories of the place. It's ready for a new family, though. Congratulations."

I feel tears coming out of my eyes and am inwardly pissed that the hormones are making me moody. Now Michael will think we shouldn't have sold the house and start nagging me about it. I love my husband, but he's a nagger.

His hand reaches for mine, and we twine our fingers together. The little girl waves goodbye to us, and we walk slowly to our truck. My husband turns to me and wipes my tears away with his thumbs.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I couldn't help but be emotional."

"Do you want to skip dinner with the family?"

"God, no, your parents would kill me."

"They'd do no such thing. They love you like a daughter."

Michael makes sure I'm seated and buckled up in the truck and gets in beside me. We make good time to his parent's house, but before we get out of the car I grab his hand and squeeze it.

"Michael, I need to tell you something."

"Are you sure you don't want to tell me in front of the family?"

"You already know?"

He places a kiss on my forehead and mumbles something I can't understand.

"I'm pregnant."

"You're going to make the best mother in the whole world," he whispers, and his eyes are slightly moist.

"I'm scared."

"Why? Our love is strong, and we have the support of the family. What's going on inside of your head? Let me in."

"A baby is going to change things. It won't be just the two of us anymore."

My brain is scrambled with a million thoughts. I know I'm going to love having this baby and any others that come along, but I just got back Michael a year ago and am not ready to make room for someone else in my heart.

But of course, the baby is loved already. Since I threw up the first time and realized I was pregnant, I've loved the baby. I guess the hormones are to blame once more.

"We'll make time for each other, baby,” Michael says. “I'll never let you forget that you're the most important thing in my life."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise. I love you, Mandy Hoffer. You're my queen, and I'll keep treating you like one for the rest of our lives."

I smile at him, feeling a little giddy. He does treat me like royalty and his brothers tease him relentlessly about it.

"I love you, Michael. Let's go tell the family."

The rest of Christmas Eve is spent receiving congratulations on our news. Merry, Danny's wife, signals to me that she'll talk to me later. I guess having a Hoffer is an adventure of its own. I'm ready, though. I can keep giving dance classes in the community center until late in my pregnancy, and Michael is already planning on adding a third floor to the house for 'all the children.'

The Hoffer family belongs to me now, and I'm excited to raise a family with their help. I'm hoping for many cousins for my little ones so that they can all grow up together.

At midnight, Michael pulls me into his arms and gives me a slow, soft kiss that is full of promise, and I know our love will last a lifetime.

It will last forever.