Epilogue

Epilogue

MARISSA

“It’s here, beautiful!”

We’ve been married for five years. My feet hurt as I stand in my studio, adjusting the lights, trying to snap a portrait of a cranky toddler. The third trimester of pregnancy is annoying, and I can’t wait for naptime, mine and my daughter’s.

“Come on, Olivia.” I gather her up despite her tears, crying because I made her sit on the stool “like a big girl” for her portrait, when all she wants is to spin in her princess dress. Making my way to the stairs, I pause when my husband runs down to meet us.

“Stop, put her down. Kitten, you can’t carry this ragamuffin while pregnant.” Olivia grabs him around his neck. “Someone looks sleepy anyway. Naptime.” He hands me an envelope as he sways with Olivia in his arms.

I rip it open and read out loud. “You are cordially invited to The Olivia Cardell Watercolor Studio Grand Opening.” Meeting his face, I say, “It’s happening!”

Cardell Enterprises turned a corner. With the new profits Xavier earned with his business acumen, we were using most of the money to give back to the community. In honor of his sister, he envisioned a place where children of those less fortunate could come after school and learn art in all forms. We found volunteer tutors in writing, painting, sculpting, photography (like me), and even ceramics. Now our dream has become a reality.

Along with Sharice, we plan to add a music portion to the studio eventually. Who knows how much we will expand after that? The place has taken up most of my time over the last three years of development, and pure joy fills my heart at the sense of accomplishment holding the invitation in my hand.

“Mommy!” Ryan, our firstborn, gallops down the stairs and tries to skip the last three while clinging to the banister.

“Ryan, careful. Don’t do that,” I say firmly, knowing he’s going to try again.

“Can I go to the lake today?” he asks.

“Ask your father. Olivia and I are taking a nap.”

Pulling Olivia into my arms back from Xavier, I give him a brief kiss on the lips.

Xavier snags Ryan’s hand and heads toward the back door. “Yeah, let’s go. I can finish up work later.” Xavier often works from home to be near us. Said he can’t stand his stuffy office in town, but I know he just can’t be away from me… I feel the same.

“Hey, kitten.” Xavier grabs my attention. “I’ll, um, see you in a bit? Like, an hour?” He clears his throat.

My lips lift as I wink and say, “Yes, Mr. Cardell. I’ll be waking up from my nap and will need your help in the bedroom.”

As I put Olivia down for her nap, I peer out of the window, where Xavier teaches Ryan how to dive off the dock. Ryan has no fear, and I can tell Xavier is telling him to be careful, waving his index finger at him.

Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones, but I tear up at the vision of my daughter sleeping softly in her bed, my son running and jumping wildly from our dock, laughing each time my husband scolds him for not minding.

Because of the choices I had made, I’m now living my dream with the love of my life.