Epilogue

Epilogue

Nick

A t our recent appointment, we’d gotten the blood results of the initial pregnancy test, and everything looked good. We even had the doctor write the gender of the baby on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope.

Abby gave it to Sophie to create a cake, so we could reveal the surprise to the boys. We hadn’t told the boys anything yet, but we thought it would be fun to let them know whether we were having a boy or girl.

I was secretly hoping for a girl, but I think Abby wanted another boy. Something about it being easier since we both had already done the boy thing. I could just imagine the boys being protective of a little sister, though.

Abby walked in with the cake box, and I called the boys in from the yard. We spent most of our time at my house. After our announcement, we planned to discuss plans to live together. I hoped it went well because I didn’t want to spend another night apart.

The boys ran inside, pushing and shoving.

“Boys. Enough,” I said.

The boys looked up in surprise because I rarely raised my voice. But it was important to us, and I wanted them to be respectful.

The boys’ wide eyes darted from us to the box in the middle of the table.

“What’s the cake for?” Hunter asked.

Abby got out a few plates and forks before opening the box. The cake itself said “Congratulations.”

“We have something we wanted to talk to you about.”

The boys stood by the table, patiently waiting for us to talk.

“We’re engaged, and we’re ready to take the next step,” I said, wrapping an arm around Abby.

“Yeah, so is it an anniversary or something?” Hunter asked.

He worried the most about changes.

“We’d like to move in together.” We’d discussed the possibility, but we said we’d take it easy, slowly transitioning to a few overnights before making it official.

“Yes.” Brody pumped his fist.

Brody loved having him here, and Hunter didn’t like going back and forth.

“And there’s one more thing. We’re going to have a baby.”

“You’re going to be big brothers.” Abby handed each boy a navy shirt that said “Best Big Brother.”

“Are you serious?” Hunter asked, looking from Abby to me.

“Yes, we’re very happy.”

“Having a baby won’t take anything away from the love we feel for you. Our love will expand.”

Hunter nodded as if he needed to hear that. He was used to being looked over by one parent. We’d need to be extra careful to spend more time with him and not less when the baby arrived.

Abby had been more careful with how she dealt with Seth too. He could only visit Hunter if it was scheduled in advance and if Hunter was okay with it.

“What’s the cake for?” Brody asked, seemingly unaffected by the fact his world was about to change.

“We thought it would be fun to find out whether the baby is a boy or girl,” Abby said.

“So, the cake is pink or blue?” Brody asked, taking a seat at the table when Abby grabbed the cake knife from the box.

“That’s the idea,” Abby said with a smile. “Now, who wants to do the honors?”

“I want to,” Brody said.

“Me too,” Hunter added.

“You can both cut the cake.” She handed them the knife, showing them how to cut it. They sliced it and began to lift it from the box. It felt like my heart was in my throat as I waited for the icing to give way to the cake inside.

My eyes pricked with tears to see the pink.

“A little girl,” Abby said, her tone filled with wonder.

“A girl,” Brody said, a little disgusted.

“I was hoping for a boy,” Hunter said quietly.

“I’m excited for a little girl. She’ll bring something different to the family.” To me, the baby represented our family coming together. She represented our future.

The boys grumbled some more as Abby helped them get the pieces of cake on the plates. Then she turned to me.

“I’m so happy,” Abby said as I kissed her.

“I am too.” We had the boys and now a little girl on the way. We owned the house we would live in together. There was nothing else I wanted in life but what was in the kitchen.

I pulled her into my body, watching as the boys demolished their pieces of cake and asked for another.

The boys would need reassurance that we were there to stay. That we had their backs. And that bringing a sister into the world wouldn’t change things for them. She would add more love and joy to our world. The boys would show her how to walk and run and ride a bike. She would be spoiled beyond belief. I couldn’t wait.

For the first time, I was living life on my terms, not someone else’s. I was doing what I wanted to do. Planting roots. Making plans for the future. And I was excited about it.

ABBY

During the second trimester, I wasn’t as tired. In fact, I got that nesting urge that everyone talked about. Instead of planning the nursery, I had a sudden and urgent need to create that coffee table book Nick had suggested. I’d started selling my prints online with a service that handled shipping and framing. It generated a lot of interest.

We spent weekends exploring Annapolis and the surrounding area, so I had a lot of pictures to choose from for the book. Brooke helped me research how to publish it, which pictures to choose, and what the captions should say. I spent hours deciding on the perfect images and placement.

I was adamant that it be completed before the baby was born. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do as much once she was there, and I wanted to see the book on my coffee table when I nursed her. I wanted the sense of accomplishment I knew I’d get doing it.

I wasn’t just a wedding or event photographer. I was a nature photographer with published work. I’d have multiple streams of income, and I’d feel more settled taking time off. Gia hired another photographer to cover a few months, so I could spend time with our baby. I planned to return to work after three months. I was flexible, only needing to go in for consultations and weddings.

I had Nick, Brooke and Ben, and my family to help me. Our love would expand to fit our little girl into our lives. I knew she’d bring us unmeasurable amounts of joy. The boys were apprehensive about having a girl and all the pink that might come with her, but I assured them that she’d probably be a tomboy with them as brothers. Or she’d be a princess, and they’d love her anyway.

I had faith in their ability to show her the love that they’d missed in their lives. The little girl would be so loved by us, our extended family, and our friends.

Nick came up behind me while I finished securing my dangling earrings. “Are you ready to go to your party?”

I smiled at him in the mirror. “I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

Brooke received the first shipment of books and insisted on a celebration at her new business, Market Tavern. She served wine and light fare and specialty items in her shop, including local history books. She would be the first store to carry my book.

“I’m so proud of you.” Nick spun me so that I faced him. “And you look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” I’d donned a sparkly black dress and heels for the evening.

He interlaced his fingers with mine and led me to the kitchen, where a beautiful bouquet full of red roses and dahlias sat on the counter.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, moving closer to admire the flowers.

“We need to go. You’re the guest of honor.”

The boys stood by the door looking uncomfortable in dress slacks, shoes, and white button-down shirts.

“Don’t you look handsome,” I said, kissing them on the cheek.

My heart was so full between the boys, the baby, and Nick.

When we arrived at Brooke’s store, people were milling about with glasses of champagne. Waiters walked the room with trays of hors d’oeuvres. Gia had planned the event for us, and Lily had provided the white and red flowers that covered most surfaces. It was too much, but at the same time, it was perfect.

“The guest of honor has arrived,” Ben said as he wrapped me in a warm hug.

“Are you ready for the big reveal?” Brooke asked when Ben let me go.

“You’d tell me if it’s awful, right?” Suddenly, I was panicked, knowing everyone was in the room to judge my work when I hadn’t even seen the finished product.

Brooke rolled her eyes at me and held out her arms. “Would I have planned all of this if it wasn’t?”

I laughed. “Yeah. You’re my sister.”

She scoffed. “Trust me. The book is gorgeous.”

Nick squeezed my shoulder and leaned in to whisper, “You’ve got this.”

I’d worked so hard on the project, fueled by the desire to see my work published and sitting on people’s coffee tables.

She led me over to the bar area, where she’d covered the book on the counter. There was a screen covering the shelves at the back of the bar where she’d project the pages to those who couldn’t see the book.

All my friends were there, including Gia, Lily, Sophie, Mark, and his daughter Kendall. Their being there to support me gave me the confidence to stand next to Brooke and face them.

“It’s time to see Abby’s beautiful work. She spent the last few months touring our town, capturing the wildlife, the historic buildings, all the nooks and crannies we love about Annapolis, and she’s put them in one beautiful book.” She held her hand up. “But don’t worry. I have plenty of copies for everyone, so if you want one for your coffee table, come up to the register, and we’ll get you one.

“Now, are we ready for the big reveal?” Brooke looked at me as the crowd erupted in cheers.

I nodded, a smile on my lips. My sister wouldn’t have planned it if it wasn’t right, and I’d worked hard to ensure it was my best work. I couldn’t wait to finally see it and get my hands on the final copy.

Brooke smiled at me before lifting the sheet.

I felt the flash of a camera, and Brooke leaned over to say, “The paper wanted to document it. So when you’re ready, lift it up for everyone to see.”

“Give me a minute,” I murmured, wanting to take it all in.

I heard the murmurs of my friends, the exclaims of congratulations, and the clapping, but I was focused on my book.

The cover was stunning. It was a black and white with a picture of the harbor. In gold writing, it said Treasures of Annapolis , and at the bottom, it read “Photography by Abigail Langley.”

“It’s better than I imagined.” I hadn’t realized how satisfying it would feel to see my name on the cover.

I held up the book with two hands because it was heavy, and I smiled into the camera. I hoped people would like it enough to want copies for their tables and their friends and families. When I finally lowered the book, I was quickly engulfed in hugs and congratulations.

Brooke went to the register to check people out who wanted to look at one for themselves. The images were displayed on the overhead screen. The party carried on around us, but the line for the register was long.

“I cannot believe this is real,” I said to Nick when we were somewhat alone.

Nick pulled the heavy book toward us to flip through the pages. “It’s real. You created this.”

Tears pricked my eyes because I was pregnant, emotional, and overwhelmed with joy. How did I get so lucky?

“It looks even better on the page.” The glossy pages, the bolded captions. Everything looked pristine and professional.

We sipped our drinks as we paged through it. Hunter and Brody joined us, pointing out the places we’d been and what they’d been doing when I snapped the pictures. I was so happy they felt included in the project. I was able to spend time with my family while working. It was the perfect combination.

A little while later, Brooke raised a glass to toast. “I have one more announcement.”

I raised a brow at Nick, but he just shrugged. We hadn’t discussed any other surprises.

“Abby’s already had an inquiry to create another book for St. Michael’s.”

My hands flew to my mouth. “You’re kidding?”

St. Michael’s was another historic city on the water just over the bay bridge.

Brooke shook her head. “As soon as I received copies of the books, I forwarded one to the town council. They called me to ask how they could get one for their town. They want to carry it in the gift shops.”

“That’s so—I can’t even think of the words.”

Nick pulled me into his chest. “I’m so proud of you. You’ve done everything you set out to accomplish and more.”

I gave him a look. “You’re the one who encouraged me to do this.”

He tapped the spot right over my heart. “The ideas were right here inside you, waiting to come out.”

I rested my head on his shoulder, content to be there. To revel in my accomplishments.

We spent the rest of the night celebrating with our friends. It was satisfying to have my work exhibited that way. And to know that more towns might want something similar? It was unbelievable.

But that was my life. When I believed in myself and took risks, anything was possible.

“Our life gets to be this good,” Nick whispered in my ear.

“I didn’t think it was possible before I met you, but now, I believe.” I rested my back to his front as his arms surrounded me and my baby bump. Our family and friends were gathered together. It didn’t get better than that.