Epilogue

EPILOGUE

LESLIE

It’s been nine months since I met Asa, and if you’d told me back then that we’d be married within days and welcoming our daughter into the world months later, I would’ve laughed until I cried. But here I am, sitting in the hospital bed, exhausted but overjoyed, cradling our little bundle of joy who’s just made her grand entrance into this world.

My heart swells as I look down at her, tiny and perfect, her delicate features still scrunched up while she decides if she likes this new reality. I can’t believe Asa and I created this beautiful little person together. As I glance at him, he watches in awe, his face reflecting the same giddy joy I feel inside.

A few hours after her birth, my parents come bouncing into the room, the excitement practically radiating off them. My mom looks especially vibrant today, dressed in a bright floral dress. She practically bounces over to me and coos, “Let me see her!”

I position my daughter in my arms, and my mom’s eyes widen as she spots the tiny face peeking out. “Oh my goodness! She’s absolutely beautiful!”

“Isn’t she?” I say, happiness swelling in my chest as I hand Holly over to my mom.

My mom leans in, gently snuggling the baby close to her and murmuring sweet nothings as she rocks her back and forth. I watch as my dad edges in to peek over my mom’s shoulder, curiosity etched into every line of his face. He looks surprisingly proud, too, but I can tell my dad is still trying to grasp the fact I’ve become a mother.

“She’s so tiny.” His expression softens as he looks at his granddaughter.

“I know. I didn’t realize humans came that size,” I tease as my mom transfers the baby over to him with tender care. The sight of him cradling Holly in his big hands makes my heart swell with warmth.

“Wow,” my dad says, leaning closer, his eyes wide as he studies her face, beaming with an intensity I’ve rarely seen. “I can’t believe I’m a grandfather now. Look at her!” He turns to Asa, a serious expression crossing his features. “I’m glad my shooting lessons are paying off because it’s going to be hard to keep all the little boys away from Holly.”

After my dad hands Holly back to me, he and Asa stand in the corner chatting, and their laughter cuts through the haze of tiredness hanging over me. Honestly, the sight of my dad joking around with Asa warms my heart. Over the last few months, they’ve bonded over shooting lessons and their plans to keep boys away from our daughter.

From my spot, I can’t help but roll my eyes as a grin spreads across my face. I lean in to hear better, and my mom, clearly eavesdropping, scoots a little closer to me with a gleam of mischief. “I’m afraid to know what plans your husband is making,” she says, teasing.

“Oh, you have no idea.” I laugh, trying to contain myself. “You should see the massive gun cabinet he ordered. Our office is going to look like an armory!” While I decorated our new nursery, he was installing a state-of-the-art security system to keep his family safe.

Although my parents agreed to let me work from home four days a week and we turned one of the extra bedrooms into a large office for me, I’m still planning to take several months off before I try to juggle motherhood with a full-time job.

Asa has been very supportive. He told me he’d support my decision, whatever it is.

As my eyes start to droop, my parents decide they’re going to head out and let me rest. I watch as my mom softly coos goodbye to Holly, completely enamored. “We’ll come by after you get home and settle in, okay?” she says, looking at me with that classic motherly glow.

“Sounds great.” I yawn as exhaustion cuts through the adrenaline high I’ve been on all morning.

Once my parents leave, the atmosphere shifts in the small room, becoming quiet and intimate. Asa, who had been standing back, slowly approaches the bed. “May I?” He points to our daughter snuggled in my arms.

“Of course.” I give him a sleepy smile, handing our daughter over. The sight of him holding our newborn daughter close and whispering to her makes my heart swell.

He carefully settles beside me, his arm effortlessly wrapping around my shoulder as he pulls me close. It’s still surreal how quickly our lives have transformed. One minute, we’re two people going on a blind—well, mostly blind—date, and the next, we’re parents.

“Look at her,” Asa murmurs, gazing down at Holly, who’s blissfully asleep, her tiny features relaxed. “She’s amazing.”

I nod, unable to drag my gaze away from the sight before me. “I know.” I sigh as exhaustion pulls at me.

He gently rocks Holly a little, and I feel my heart flutter at the sight. “Thank you for our beautiful daughter.”

“You’re very welcome.” I glance over at him and groan. “It’s going to be a while before I’m ready for us to start working on your next daughter.”

He chuckles softly, a genuine smile lighting his face. “Well, you see, I’ve changed my mind.” He runs his finger gently down her tiny nose. “Our first is so fucking beautiful, I think we need at least two boys to help me protect her before we work on any more girls.”

“You do know we can’t order the sex of our baby like we order pizza, right?” I remind him the universe may have different plans in store for us.

“I never thought I’d find a strong, sassy, gorgeous woman like you who was willing to give me a second glance, but here we are.” Tears fill my eyes, and I quickly swipe them away. “So, now I know anything is possible with you by my side.”

“We’ve got this.” I lay my head against his chest and let my eyes slowly drift closed.

“We definitely do.” Life with my reformed bad boy couldn’t get any better.

THE END