Epilogue

Gray

One Month Later

I walk among the partygoers, doing my best to smile and ‘people-please.’ Socializing is a decent-sized portion of my job, and although a plaza isn’t exactly the greatest achievement in an architect’s world—hence the speedy completion time—I’m still proud of my work. The modern art pieces I selected have been a hit, and everybody is complimenting me.

The problem? Lately, I just want to be with my girls. Gone are the days of burying my head in my work as though I’m outrunning something, stubbornly remaining in the office as though that will answer the questioning demons inside. Lately, I just want to be with Callie and Emery.

Emery darts into my path as though reading my mind. She’s wearing a pretty dress, her hair in pigtails. Lately, she’s adamant she wants to be a, in her words, fashion god . But last week, she was going to be an astronaut. As long as she’s happy, I’ll consider myself a success.

“Daddy,” she says. “Callie-kin asked me to give you something. She said it’s very important .”

I smile at the term of endearment, Callie-kin . Emery heard Callie’s friend, Katerina, call her it a couple of weeks ago, and it stuck. Emery reaches into her pocket and hands me a small pink envelope.

“Where is Callie-kin?” I ask.

“Sneaking.” Emery giggles. “Watching. She wants to see your…” Emery thinks for a moment. “Reaction.”

I smile, opening the envelope. There’s a small note and an object inside. I read the note first. Do you think Emery would prefer a little brother or a little sister?

A gasp escapes me as I tip the object into my hand. Wrapped in plastic for obvious reasons, it’s a pregnancy test. Positive. A smiley face. I spin in a circle, my heart pounding, happiness expanding inside me. Hiding behind a metal statue of a woman, I spot my Callie, a big grin on her face.

I walk quickly across the plaza, Emery at my side. Callie makes squeaks as I sweep her into my arms, kissing her deeply.

“What is it, Callie? Daddy?”

Callie places her fingers on my lips. She gives me a look, then takes the envelope from my hand and reaches inside, taking out a small voucher. “It’s a book voucher for you, Emery.”

Emery beams, clutching it to her chest. “Yippee! Can we pick some out soon?”

“We sure can.”

As Emery looks at the voucher, Callie whispers in my ear, “I wanted to make it special. But maybe we should wait until we tell her.”

I kiss her on the cheek, wrapping my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me. “You always think of everything, Callie. I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”