Epilogue

Hayes

Two years later…

"Beautiful, you know I would do anything for you, but really another cat?" I ask my wife.

Melody just smiles over at me. She's officially retired now, at least from touring, though she and the girls are still recording new music. They've just slowed down. Which I am all for especially since she's pregnant with our first baby.

And is currently lobbying for another cat. I take her phone out of her hand—no doubt where she has found the feline in question

"We already have three," I say, knowing my words are futile. I would literally rope the moon for this woman. I lean over her swollen belly. I kiss the tight skin protecting our child. "What do you think, little bean? Do we need another cat before you even get here?"

I then press my ear to her stomach as if listening to the baby.

"Oh, yes, I see your point. Valid argument, my boy. Well done."

Melody giggles. "We still don't know for sure if it's a boy."

"I know, I can feel it."

"Alright, then what did our son say about another cat?"

"He said that making you happy is the most important thing in the world because it means I'm loving you well. So if this kitty will bring you joy, then we should get it."

Her eyes fill with tears. "You're the very best man in the world."

"He also said that you have less indigestion when you're happy."

She laughs. "Come here, crazy man. Kiss your wife."

So I do… and then we go adopt the cat.

Then a few months later, we do, in fact, have a boy.

***