Epilogue

Ava

Three months later

The bell rings, signaling not only the end of the shortened school day, but the end of the school year. I've been looking forward to it yet dreading it for the last month.

"Make sure you have all of your things," I holler over the excitement of leaving school for the summer. "Enjoy your summer," I add as they all start filing out of the classroom on their way to freedom.

I step out into the hallway and make sure everyone is where they need to be. The atmosphere is one of excitement and anticipation. Not that I blame them. I'm pretty excited myself. Not only to get a couple of months to enjoy my own summer.

And this year will be a little different, because I'll have a visitor every day.

Speaking of visitors, I head back into my classroom to find Annabelle. "Do you have everything gathered up?" I ask, finding the now sixth grader waiting for me by my desk.

"Yep! But not yet."

"No?" I ask with a chuckle, going to start gathering my own things. I won't take too much with me, just my coffee mug and a few personal belongings. Everything else will be locked in the room until I start cleaning and organizing in August for the new school year.

"Nope. But I'll be ready soon," she informs me with a big grin on her face.

Well, I suppose I'll wait a few more minutes until she's ready to go. "Are you excited for junior high?"

"Yes and no. I'm eager to get a locker and switch classes, but I'm going to miss you."

I flash her a quick grin. "You see me all the time," I remind, considering I'm dating her dad.

"Yeah, but not during the school day. We won't be in the same school anymore," she replies, the sadness evident.

"I know, but you're going to love junior high, I promise. Plus, we get weekends together."

A wide grin spreads across her face. "That's true. By the way, I was thinking, maybe we can do a Ghostbusters marathon on Saturday."

"I think that's a great idea," I reply, pulling out my keys and preparing to lock my room. "Are you ready now?" I ask when there's nothing left but to shut off the lights.

"We're ready."

Startled, I glance toward the familiar voice and find Gavin standing in the doorway, holding a bouquet of red roses and lilies. My heart starts to pound as a smile takes over my entire face. "What are you doing here?" I ask, heading his way.

"Brought flowers to my favorite ladies on their last day of school." I notice he's holding two bouquets, one a smaller version of the larger. "These are for you," he states, handing over the large vase and placing a chaste kiss on my lips. "Hi."

"Hi," I reply, taking the flowers. "These are beautiful and a wonderful surprise."

"You're welcome," he says. "Give me one minute."

Then, he turns his attention to his daughter and starts to hand her the small bouquet. "To my most favorite girl in the world," he informs her as he hands them over.

Annabelle giggles.

"Do you remember what flowers represent?" he asks, crouching down and gazing up at her.

She nods. "They mean you care."

"That's right."

Annabelle leans forward and whispers, "But I thought you were just bringing them for Miss Rutledge."

He winks and gives her a smile. "Well, I care about two ladies, and they both deserved flowers on their last day of school."

Annabelle giggles. "Can I ask her now?"

What is she talking about?

"You sure can."

And when they both turn to face me, I can tell by the matching determined looks in their eyes, things are about to change.

My life will never be the same.

Gavin

"Go ahead," I encourage my daughter, knowing she's both anxious and a little nervous.

Annabelle steps forward and smiles up at Ava. "My dad and I have been talking. I'm really excited to get to stay with you during the summer, and I know I'll be a huge help with keeping Tabitha out of trouble."

Ava smiles. "I love having you there, and she loves playing with you."

From what I've been told, Tabitha wasn't a super friendly cat, only wanting to be petted when she wanted it, but since Annabelle started going over to Ava's with me, Tabitha has taken a liking to my daughter, always wanting to snuggle and play with this weird fish on a stick toy Annabelle insisted she get her.

"Well, Dad and I think it would be kinda cool if we were all together, under the same roof."

I watch as shock registers on Ava's face before she glances my way out of the corner of her eye. "You do?"

"Yep," Annabelle replies. "And if you wanted to stay in your house, then maybe we can come stay with you all the time. But Dad and I also talked about getting a whole new house, one big enough for our craft room and a bedroom for me. And maybe a spare bedroom we can use for a little brother or sister someday. Dad and I didn't talk about that, but I wanted to throw it out there because that would be really cool."

Ava's eyes fill with tears as she grins at my daughter. "I think that sounds amazing," she replies with a sniffle.

"Which part?"

"All of it," Ava states with a decisive nod.

"Really? You'll let us move in with you or you'll move in with us?" my daughter asks eagerly.

"I'd love to move in with you. Your home has a little more space than mine does, but I think a new house would be perfect."

Annabelle jumps up and down with elation. "This is the best day ever!" She spins around and levels me with an emphatic look. "Can we start looking now? I mean tonight? When you get home from work?"

Chuckling, I step forward and ruffle her hair, even though she hates it. "We'll figure it out, Belle. We don't have to get it all planned tonight."

"No, but we could get a big start. Like finding a house with four bedrooms and making sure Tabitha is excited about having me for a roommate."

Ava and I both laugh, and even though my daughter did all the heavy lifting, I figure it's time for me to add my two cents. As Ava sets the flowers down, I step toward her and pull her against my chest. Her arms wrap around my waist, her fingers threaded together at my back.

"Is this really okay? I don't want you to feel pressured into doing something you're not ready for," I tell her.

She cups my cheek with her hand, and I instinctively turn into her touch and kiss her fingertips. "I'm very sure. I'm not attached to my house, other than it was my first one. But we'll need more space for two crafters and the little brother or sister Annabelle wants."

It's my turn to blush. Even though that wasn't part of the original plan and conversation Annabelle and I had, I'm not sorry she said it. "Negotiations are definitely on the table."

"Good." She goes up on her tiptoes and kisses me. "Yes, I'd love to move in with you and Annabelle."

"Fifteen-year-old me is on cloud nine right now, you know that, right?"

She giggles and shakes her head. "You're incorrigible."

"I'm relentless, baby, especially when I see something I want. And in case you didn't know, I want you."

"You have me."

My life is pretty damn close to perfect. I have a daughter who is my entire world, and the woman of my dreams. The one I used to pine over all those years ago in high school. I'm not joking. Freshman Gavin would flip his shit if he could see me now.

"Good," I reply, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. Leaning in so little ears can't hear, I add, "What do you say we go home and work on that little brother or sister."

The look she gives me has my cock hard in record time. "Deal."