EpilogueOwenIt’s been three months since the worst day of my life. Little did I know forty-eight hours later, would be the best day of my life. My fiancée is resilient. She has a few bad dreams here and there, but she put up one hell of a fight to keep our house. We compromised on a remodel. New furniture, paint, flooring. Anything that won’t make the house match the one in our nightmares. The counseling also helped. Layla and I both sought the medical attention we needed to help us get past the hurt, the anger, and the pain that surrounded that night.
We both have them.
I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve woken in a cold sweat reaching for her. All it takes is to feel her body next to mine, my hand over our son growing in her belly for me to calm.
That’s right. We’re having a little boy. We found out three days ago. We haven’t told anyone, not wanting to take away from the excitement of this weekend. My big brother is getting married to the love of his life. Sawyer is going to be my sister, and I couldn’t be happier for either of them.
“How’s she doing?” Marshall asks from beside me.
“She’s good, brother.” I pull my eyes from my fiancée, who is talking to our mother and the bride. “You have to let it go, Marshall. It’s going to eat at you.”
He nods. “I know. I’m doing better. I just worry, you know? About both of you and the baby.”
“My son is just fine.”
“Son?”
“Shit.” I chuckle. “Don’t tell anyone. We were keeping quiet until after the wedding. Not wanting to take the spotlight away from Royce and Sawyer.”
“What about me?” Royce asks, sneaking up behind me.
“Nothing.” I try to evade him.
“You always were a shit liar, O.” Grant laughs as he and Conrad join our little circle.
“Marsh knows,” Conrad calls him out. “I can see it in your eyes.”
“Mum’s the word.” Marshall makes a show of zipping his lips and throwing away the key like we used to do as kids.
“It’s my wedding day. You can’t keep secrets from me,” Royce comments.
“I’ll tell you soon enough,” I tell him. My eyes are glued to Layla and Sawyer as they walk toward us.
“This looks like a whole heap of trouble,” Sawyer says, sliding up next to Royce. He pulls her in tight.
“Hello, wife,” he whispers, but we all hear him.
“What’s going on?” Layla asks.
I offer her my hand and pull her into my side. One hand is around her waist while the other rests over our son. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit,” Royce grumbles. “O has a secret, and he’s not giving it up.”
“And Marshall knows,” Conrad adds.
I look down at Layla, and her eyes are wide. I give her a subtle nod and shrug. She rolls those baby blues, but the smile that tilts her lips tells me she’s not really mad.
That’s the thing about Layla. She’s lived through what most of us will never endure. She’s a glass half-full kind of girl and doesn’t sweat the small stuff. We both know life is too short for that.LaylaWhen I pull my eyes from Owen, Sawyer is watching me. She tilts her head to the side, and I know my best friend is going to figure it out. I’m surprised I’ve made it this long. “Wait a minute. You had a doctor’s appointment this week.” She looks down at my belly, and I know I’ve been busted. “I’m such a bad friend I forgot to ask.”
“No, we wanted to wait until after the wedding. This is your special day,” I tell her.
“Fuck that. That’s a Riggins you’re carrying. We need to know,” Royce says.
“You’re holding out on me. You know I’ve been dying to shop,” Sawyer says, her hands on her hips. “Come on, woman, the suspense is killing me.”
“Are you sure?” I ask her. “This is your wedding day.”
“And you’re my best friend and future sister-in-law. I’m sure.”
“Wait, if you’re going to tell them, we need to get Mom and Dad over here,” Owen tells me.
“I’ve got one better.” Royce takes off for the DJ, and I watch as he reaches for the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention?” he says into the mic. “Not only is today the best day of my life, but my brother and his fiancée have some news as well. Come on up here.” He motions for us.
“That’s one way to get you to spill the beans.” Grant laughs.
Hand in hand, Owen and I make our way to where Royce is standing. A year ago, being the center of attention would have stressed me out. Now, I’m so used to their antics, and I know they are on my team, so I just roll with the antics.
“I love you, brother,” Royce says into the mic.