Epilogue

epilogue

Jed, Landon, and I maneuver Ana's couch up the flight of steps, down the corridor and through the front door of her new apartment. If someone had asked me months ago if this was how I saw my life, I would've laughed in their face.

Last week, Lemon moved in with me. We know it's quick, but we've wasted enough time apart in our lives. We want to be together and there isn't any point waiting. With Lemon's apartment being vacant, Ana took over the lease. It would've been easy for Lemon to keep the apartment furnished, but Ana wanted her things. Who could blame her.

After selling, repurposing, and storing all of Lemon's belongings, the guys and I made the trek to Jacksonville to get Ana's stuff. Thankfully, Franco kept his distance, which was for the best. Once Jed found out why we had to go, he wanted to confront Franco about what he did. I'm just thankful I didn't have to bail him out of jail.

Goldie's princess bed is next. It's a white four post, heavy as hell bed. I remember when Ana showed it to me. I couldn't fathom how she needed something so big when she could barely climb onto the mattress. Now that she's a bit older, I get it. She'll need a new bed at my house soon but will have this one at her mom's until she graduates college. I never saw the investment until now.

I leave the guys in Goldie's room to put the bed together and head back to the moving truck. I'm surprised to find Lemon, Ana, and Goldie coming toward me.

"Hey," I say when they get near me. I kiss Lemon and Goldie and pretend to go for Ana, who throws her hands up.

"Gross, bucko."

Thankfully, everyone laughs.

"What are you ladies doing here?"

"We went shopping," Ana says, holding up two bags.

"And we have lunch," Goldie says.

"Where?"

"It's in the car," Lemon says. "We stopped at Home Slice Pizzeria."

"Yum. I'm starving. The guys are upstairs putting the princess bed together."

Goldie claps her hands and her head tips back. "I've missed my bed."

"Hey, what's wrong with your bed at my house?"

"Nothing, Daddy, but my princess bed . . ." She takes off running for the stairs.

Ana rolls her eyes. "I'll go with her and make sure she's staying out of the way."

I reach for Lemon's hand and pull her to me until our lips press together. "Thank you."

"For what?" She wraps her arms around my waist.

"For being extraordinary and accepting Ana."

"Like I said before, I regret not giving the situation a chance. Things could have been a lot different for us."

While I agree with her, telling her as such doesn't do any of us any good. "It's all good now. Come on, I'm starved now that you mentioned pizza."

We go over to her car and get the four large pizzas they bought, along with a bag of chips, soda, and candy. I follow Lemon up the stairs and into the apartment to find Landon and Jed sitting on the sofa.

"Did you get the bed together?"

Jed sighs. "Yep, and remind me to never buy one."

I chuckle. "Believe me, I used to say the same shit until Goldie came along. Now, I buy whatever she wants."

"Except a dog," she comes out of her room with her hands on her hips. "Daddy won't buy me a dog."

"I work long hours."

"Mommy doesn't," she says. "And the dog could go to school with me." Goldie looks at Lemon who shakes her head.

"Sorry, kiddo. No pets allowed."

"That's. Not. Fair!"

"Room," Ana says as she points in that direction.

Goldie opens her mouth to say something and then thinks twice.

"Damn," Jed says. "She listens so well. If that had been me, I would've sassed right back."

"Same," Lemon says. "Maybe you need to come work at the school," she says to Ana. "I could definitely use you in the discipline office."

"Yeah, I could totally do that."

"Ana, check with Goldie first. She may not want you there," I say. She already has Lemon and having her mom there might be too much for her. I know some kids like it when their parents volunteer and for all I know Goldie might be okay with it. But then again, by the time I was in fifth grade I didn't want my mom anywhere near the school.

We chow down on the pizza and the guys finish off a bag of chips. Goldie returns and apologizes for her outburst but I notice she's very clingy to her mom. I suggest Ana take her back to my place for a nap, which doesn't please Goldie.

"I'll take you over," Lemon says to Ana. "And then I'll come back and help you," she says to me.

"Actually, why don't you take Goldie, and I'll stay," Ana says. "This is my mess, and you guys shouldn't have to take care of it."

"I don't mind if Goldie doesn't," Lemon says.

Ana crouches down and looks at our daughter. Even without seeing her face, I know she's crabby. "Do you want to go back to Daddy's with Lemon?"

The other thing we've had to contend with is how Goldie refers to Lemon at school. During school, we want her to call her Ms. Walsh so other kids don't get the idea that it's okay to call her by her first name. At home, Goldie can call her Lemon.

Goldie nods, gives me and her mom a hug, and then leaves with Lemon. I walk them out and once Goldie is situated in the car, I give Lemon a kiss. "We should be done by dinner."

"How about I put some steaks on the grill?"

"Perfect. I love you."

"I love you too."

As I'm walking back toward the stairs, Lemon yells out the window. "Don't take your shirt off. I really don't want to have to fight Ana."

Above us, Ana lets out a barking laugh. "Fat chance of that happening."

I hold my hand over my heart and shake my head. My ego is hurt.

Ana and Goldie arrive at five, dressed and ready to go trick or treating. Since we are all together for Halloween, we thought it would be fun to dress up. Well, Lemon and Ana thought it would be fun to dress up and included me into the mix.

I wanted to go with something cool, like Wizard of Oz or Star Wars, but the women in my life didn't care what I wanted and left the decision up to Goldie. Which, anyone who's ever met a seven-year-old knows isn't a fantastic idea.

Ana and Goldie make their way to the front door. Lemon gushes at how adorable Goldie is, dressed as Goldilocks. After she pelted her gym teacher with a whipped cream pie, my daughter decides this is who she wants to be for Halloween. I'm Papa Bear with Lemon and Ana being Mama Bears. Goldie made the decision on who Lemon would go as.

For our costumes, our faces are partially painted, we're wearing bear ears on headbands, and dressed in brown with black mittens and shoes. I think we're pretty adorable but would've preferred to carry an ax around as the Tin Man. Something a bit more macho.

After we take an ungodly number of photos, the four of us head out into the neighborhood. We have houses we must stop at like my parents, Ms. Linda's, Landon's, Ms. Sarah's, and we'll stop and see how Ina's doing at the Sweet Magnolia B & B.

House after house, Goldie goes to the door, rings the bell, and says, "trick or treat." This is one of those traditions I hope never goes away. Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays as a kid.

When Goldie gets her candy, the three of us yell thank you to the giver and wait for Goldie to show us what she got. We want to eat our favorites but hold back. We told Goldie she couldn't eat any candy until we got home and checked it. That's what my parents used to say. It took me years to figure out my parents were eating my candy after I went to bed. It's like a parental rite of passage or something.

People compliment us on our costumes, and numerous kids say hi to Ms. Walsh. Rosie, along with her mom join us on our trek through town, and because the girls are little, we take a break when we get to Main Street.

The businesses along the road are all decorated, with some handing out coffee and hot chocolate, not that it's cold out. We're lucky and find a vacant park bench to sit out. I take Goldie's bucket from her and pour some out and tell her to pick a couple of pieces. She does and so do Ana and Lemon.

One piece catches my eye. An idea sparks and while it might be crazy, the timing is perfect. I pick it up, unwrap it and tap Lemon on her shoulder. She looks at me, the candy, and back at me with a smile.

"Years ago, I gave you a red ring pop and told you I would propose with a real ring later. Unfortunately, it's later and I don't have a real ring, but I do have this ring pop, and this is me proposing."

I stand and then drop to my knee. Lemon covers her mouth as her eyes widen. Ana squeals. Goldie cheers me on.

"Lemon Walsh, will you marry me?"

She nods. "Yes, I will."

"I'll get you another ring," I tell her as I slip the ring pop on her pinky. "Until then . . . well, don't let this one go to waste." I pop it into my mouth quickly and then kiss her. "I love you. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to ask."

She cups my cheek. "It's okay. We were on a break, remember?"

How could I forget?

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