Epilogue

Six years later…

“Shhhh!” yells Tilly, with a scowl on her face as intense as only a four-year-old’s scowl can be. “The movie’s about to start!”

Her little sister stares at her defiantly and carries on bashing away at the xylophone as only a two-year-old can.

I resist the urge to slip off my hearing aids and instead scoop Jessica into my arms and tug the xylophone mallets out of her surprisingly strong grasp.

I carry her to the couch and take a seat next to Hercules. He doesn’t even bother to raise his head, just lets out a sigh like he’s got the weight of the world on his doggy shoulders. I squeeze in next to him and Jessica wiggles into my lap, getting comfy as if I’m the couch.

I don’t mind at all. I kiss the top of her soft head, the wispy dark strands just like her mother’s.

“I’m coming,” calls Mel from the kitchen. “Start without me.”

Tilly pushes the play button on the remote, and the theme song from the latest Paw Patrol movie starts.

She jumps off the couch to dance and Jessica follows her, and the work I’ve done to settle them down is lost.

My bones are weary from the early mornings with Tilly, who’s never been a good sleeper, and the interrupted nights from Jessica who’s taken to climbing into our bed in the night. Sometimes I wake up to find all of us in there and even Hercules sprawled across my feet.

I don’t mind not getting much sleep, but Mel’s pregnant again and needs the rest.

My beautiful wife sashays over from the kitchen and places the mugs of hot chocolate on the coffee table. She takes one of Tilly’s hands and one of Jessica’s, and they dance around to the music.

I’m exhausted and my brain feels numb, but there’s only one thing to do when your family’s dancing in the living room.

I pull myself off the couch and join them.

Jessica giggles and reaches her chubby hands out for me. I scoop her up by the waist, and she squeals as I spin her into the air.

Tilly wants a turn, and suddenly I’ve got two little girls clinging to me as I twirl around the cabin.

The spontaneous dance party has made them friends again, and this time when we take our places on the couch the two girls sit together, which means I have the rare opportunity to snuggle up with my wife.

“Did you get your prep work done?” I ask as she leans her head against my chest.

“Most of it. Thank you for doing dinner.”

I kiss her on the top of her head. “Anytime.”

In the last six years Mel’s excelled in her job, moving up to the position of hedge fund manager. She’s just as passionate about her career as she was when I met her, and I’m just as happy to support her in whatever capacity she needs.

She was able to take time off when she had both the girls, but when she was needed back in the office, I took up the bulk of the childcare.

It’s been a special few years, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love seeing my girls grow up. It’s hard work but as any parent knows, the smiles and cuddles and giggles more than make up for it.

Besides, I have all the support from the club. Most days I bring the girls in, and they play with whichever other kids are around. Sometimes I drop them with Danni or Trish, and sometimes I have all the kids here. We help each other out raising our kids. The MC is the village.

Barrels said it was time for me to move on from the bar anyway and I’ve been helping him with the management of the brewery, learning about stock ordering and product supply and generally helping him out with the running of the place. There’s a lot of flexibility, which is perfect for a working parent.

It’s not long before Jessica crawls right over Hercules and onto Mel’s lap. Another few minutes, and I’ve got Tilly on mine.

The girls are glued to the movie even though we’ve watched it at least twenty times before.

With an arm around Mel and another around Tilly, I let my head droop back. The crackle of the fire is soothing, and with the warm bodies around me a sense of contentedness fills me.

When I left the military, I doubted I’d ever have this life. But Mel taught me I was worth loving, and I’m grateful for that every day of my life.

The fire crackles in the grate and my girls giggle at the antics on the TV, Hercules’s soft snores reach my ears, and Mel’s warm body and sweet scent permeate my senses.

Parenting is tiring, and a happy exhaustion washes over me. It’s not long before I drift off into a contended sleep. I’ve become the dad who dozes on the couch, and I couldn’t be happier.

Find out what happens when Barrels finally acknowledges his attraction for his best friend’s daughter.