Epilogue

Summer

Four years later

My knuckles are white as they grip the dashboard.

I don't know if I can do this.

"Yes, you can," Carter says. "You did it three years ago, and you'll do it again. You're Summer Fucking Mosely."

I didn't realize I'd said that out loud. When have I ever admitted that I'm weak other than in my own inner monologue?

The labor pains are all in my lower back.

It's like some cosmic joke that I have to feel all the pain in the same place where the worst of my period cramps show up.

But I gotta say my belly isn't feeling much better.

We're sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic with two miles between us and the hospital.

"Pull the car over; I have to throw up!"

"Pull the car over where? There's nowhere to go, sweetheart."

I don't need that answer; I just need a solution. They say the second baby comes a lot faster once labor hits.

They were not kidding around.

Just when I'm about to open the passenger door and let 'er rip, the extreme nausea passes.

"I'm okay."

It's then that I realize Carter is holding my hand. "Daisy just texted me. She's got a bed prepped and waiting at the hospital."

The last time we did this was three years ago, and my sister-in-law Daisy delivered our daughter Natali during our home birth.

This time, we've had some complications with me being dehydrated due to nausea, so we're not taking any chances.

Our daughter Natali is having a sleepover weekend with her cousins at the Gold Hill house.

Carter and I are still working on building our dream home in Fate, but for now, I'm just happy that our babies are provided for.

Little Spoon has been thriving, and Harmony and I have hired a full-time manager and two full-time employees. Next year, we plan to open a franchise in Gold Hill.

In the meantime, Carter and Cooper's investment group has grown to encompass the entire extended family. So far, we've helped fund several new places in town, and our tiny town of Fate has tripled in size.

Someday, maybe someone will build a hospital in our little town. For now, we still have a drive ahead of us.

We make it with time to spare for me to see the anesthesiologist.

Daisy and Carter are with me every step of the way.

I liked giving birth to Natali at home, but after experiencing an epidural for the first time, I think I'll choose the needle from here on out.

When our little Gabriella is born a few hours later, I can't stop bawling.

"Baby, what's the matter?" I hear the concern in Carter's voice, but I can only focus on the tiny pink baby lying on my chest, sharing my warmth.

She's perfect. Just like her sister. Ten toes, ten fingers, and a little tuft of hair on her perfect head.

I'm shaking and crying, and I can't form words.

"It could be a reaction to the epidural," Daisy says.

"I'll get you some water, or tea, or…" Carter tries to leave to fetch me something, anything, but I clutch his forearm.

"Don't go."

"What do you need, baby? Anything."

I don't understand what's happening. I didn't react this way when Natali was born.

Maybe I'm having this feeling because I'm in a cold, distant hospital, too far away from everyone.

"I want…I want Harmony. And my mom. And Mills, and…"

"Shh. I got you." Carter presses a kiss to my sweaty forehead.

Daisy and Carter exchange words, but I barely know what's happening. I'm so damn tired.

Moments later, Daisy exits the room, phone in hand.

Carter stays by my side, keeping me and the baby warm while I wait for her to latch on.

At some point, I drift off to sleep.

When I wake up with a start, I scare everyone in the room.

"Where's Gabby?"

The hospital cradle is nowhere in sight. Within half a second, my mom appears at my side, cradling the baby. My shoulders relax.

I look to my right, and Carter is passed out, asleep in the chair next to my hospital bed.

"Mom! You're here," I say.

"You called for me. You called for all of us," she says.

I finally notice the room is full of people: my sister and Cooper, Hayden and Mills, Mom and her fiancé, Daisy and Owen, the little cousins, and of course, Carter—always Carter.

Gabby starts with a small cry, and Mom hands her to me.

She latches on, and I kiss her pink forehead as she feeds. She smells like heaven.

"Daisy said you were upset. Are you okay now?" Harmony asks. She takes a seat on my other side.

"I don't know. I think I panicked at the thought of my baby being born in some other town that wasn't her home."

Daisy nods. "I didn't want you taking any chances."

"I understand. But I need you all to promise me something. We need a hospital in Fate."

Daisy looks up at Owen, who nods. He looks over at Cooper, who seems to also understand. Bless his heart, Carter is still asleep, holding onto my hand. Mills says what everyone is thinking. She nudges Hayden. "Did you hear that, honey? Build a hospital for my sister. Got it?"

Hayden chuckles, then sees the look on my craziest sister's face. "Oh. Sure. I'll get right on that."

I believe he will. Look at what we've all built already. Our family of four has grown and flourished so much already.

There's no telling what we can do with a little bit of work—and, okay, a hell of a lot of money. But mostly, with determination and a hell of a lot of love.

THE END