Bonus Epilogue

Leo

One year later…

I should be asleep. It's been in short order these days, and I should be catching up where I can, but I'm too wired to sleep.

Our little baby Abigail got her days and nights mixed up for close to a month. After a few days, Kim looked like a zombie.

That's when we taught Abigail to use a bottle, and I took over half the night duty.

I'm used to late nights at the clubs, so I send Kim to bed early and then Abby and I hang out until two or three in the morning before Kim takes over.

She's older now, four and half months, and sleeping better. But I still take care of the first feeding.

I love this time.

It's dark, it's quiet, and Abby is the sweetest thing that has ever existed on this entire planet. Except, of course, for her mother.

Abby's got dark hair and dark eyes, but the doctor says that can change as she gets older. I'm hoping she's a redhead like Kim.

Currently, Abby is lying against Kim's side, tucked in the crook of her arm. It's so beautiful that as I lie next to them, I can't make myself close my eyes.

I love this life.

I love it so much that my heart contracts painfully in my chest.

Kim's eyes flutter open and she gives me a soft, sleepy smile. "Everything all right?" she whispers as she shifts Abby closer.

I brush her hair away from her face. "It's great."

"It's late," she sighs. "You must be exhausted."

Maybe I should be. I'm back to work at the clubs, though I'm paying the managers to do most of the night duty. I come home for dinner and bath time, and a few mornings a week I go in late to do daddy/daughter things. Tomorrow, we're going to story time at the library. All of us. For some reason, Kim doesn't want to send me by myself with Abby.

"You can sleep in tomorrow," she says her eyes closing again. "Abby won't notice if you miss the library."

"Nah," I say. "We'll go. You could stay home, though. Mama can take a nap or get in a workout." Kim has been dancing to get herself back in shape.

"You sure? I don't mind coming."

"I've got this. I've already picked out her outfit. I got her that pink dress."

"Pink dress? Who are you and what have you done with my husband?"

I wink. "I've got to get her ready for dance class with grandma."

Kim and her mom opened the studio, but Kim only teaches one morning a week and every other Saturday. She doesn't even look like she's had a baby, and my biggest parenting challenge has been to not wear Kim out with how much I want to fuck her all the time.

I can't help it.

I show my sentimentality with a good bang.

And if I'm being honest, after having Abby, my life makes complete sense in a way that it never did before. This is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

I'm already trying to convince Kim to have another. She's resisting but I figure, the more I do with Abby, the more babies I can convince her to have.

I wasn't joking. I swear, I was meant to be a dad. I'm going to spend the rest of my life taking care of my family.

I can't imagine a better future.

Kim's eyes close, but she tucks Abby into her body and rolls so that she's spooning Abby and I'm spooning her.

I wrap my arm around both of them, holding them close, keeping them safe. I nuzzle my nose into Kim's neck, breathing in her scent.

I already feel myself relaxing into sleep. This is where I'm the most comfortable. Snuggled up with my girls.