Epilogue

One year later…

Mason holds our son, Noah, as we walk into the nursing home. When we get to my grandfather”s room, I see he’s on his chaise lounge with a blanket on his lap as he watches the birds out his window. I step into the doorway and wait for him to look over before I step any closer. It’s easier this way.

He’s gone downhill a lot this past year, but we’ve been able to have some good days with him, and those memories are precious to us.

When he hears me, he turns and I wait, hoping that today is a good day. I see his eyes narrow and then open brightly as he looks past me.

“Noah! Come here, little guy.”

Mason walks past me, carrying our son over to my grandfather. He sits our newborn in his lap and helps him hold him. Watching the three of them together makes my heart ache, and I’m so thankful that today is going to be a great day.

Mason and I got married about a minute after he told me he loved me, and then about thirty seconds after that, we found out we were having a baby. Like all the best things in life, he wasn’t planned. We got married in the garden here at the retirement home, and my grandfather was able to give me away. As soon as I was released from the hospital, we brought our son here to meet him for the first time. I wasn’t sure today would go well or if he would even remember him, but seeing his eyes light up was like a little bit of magic, just for us.

I get to design jewelry now and have sold several pieces to some celebrities. That gave my designs a lot of exposure and publicity, but I like that I can work at my own pace without feeling pressured to keep up with demand. Mason loves me and supports all my dreams, as long as he gets to be by my side.

Thankfully, he’s learned how to step away from work, and I think having our first child has changed that for him.

Reaching down, I rub my growing belly, thinking about having two kids under the age of two. It’s going to be tough, but luckily I have a husband who is always helping out and is more than willing to rub my feet at the end of the day. And I’ve learned that’s pretty rare.

As I watch Mason and my grandfather smile and laugh, I blink back tears. My grandfather probably won’t be able to meet our second child, but I know in my heart he’ll always be there to watch over our babies. No matter how many we have.

For some reason, that gives my heart peace. I push away from the door, joining all my guys.