“I’ll put these away while you go do your thing. Call me when you’re ready and we’ll read the results together,” he suggests.
I do exactly what he says, using the bathroom off of the hallway. I’m so excited I can’t stand myself.
Taking care of what needs to be done, I lay the pregnancy test on the bathroom cabinet and rush out of the bathroom to get to Dylan.
“Are you ready?” He’s already by the bathroom. He’s leaning against the wall in the hallway, with his hands crossed over his chest, and a grin plastered on his face. He’s one proud Daddy. I can see him already holding both of our kids in his arms. I can’t wait to see it in living color.
“Let’s go take a look,” he implies.
We both go look at the test and there’s a positive sign, “We’re pregnant!” I scream out and jump into his arms.
“I’m so excited. I hope it’s a boy and he’ll grow up to be just like Johnny and his daddy!” I smile like a crazy woman.
“I’m kind of hoping for a little girl, having her mom’s amazing personality and gorgeous face,” he says and then we’re kissing without a care in the world.
Epilogue 2
Dylan
8 years later
We’re all sitting in the backyard, surrounding the fire that is roaring under the outdoor covered patio, one of the many improvements we’ve done over the years. We didn’t add onto the house, but we really did a lot with the backyard. There’s a small pool. One where it’s almost beach like and you walk in and it gradually gets deeper. Of course, right now with Chloe only being three, we have the pool security gate set up. I imagine in a few more years, it’ll be gone, and the craziness will really commence. Johnny’s thirteen now, still loving baseball more than ever, and his team even made it to States. A championship that will be in the town’s record and something he can use when or if a College recruits him.
Luke is slowly following in his footsteps at the age of seven. He’s more of a hellion, though. That boy is the reason I’m greying at my temples. I thought Johnny was a daredevil. Turns out Luke took that name and ran with it, the countless times he’s already broken his arm, jammed his finger from catching, and just the latest, the three staples he has in his head from doing a back flip off his friend’s trampoline and landing the wrong way. It’s been the life.
Chloe, who’s three now, is nestled in Candy’s arms with a blanket wrapped around them both. She looks just like Candy, her soft natural curls are down to her shoulders, with eyes that shine so bright around her toddler face. I’m so screwed when she gets older. My boys will definitely have to help their old man out.
“Daddy, make schmores?” Chloe asks.
“We can do that princess,” I get up from my chair, abandoning my beer. I Walk toward her, kiss her forehead, and then my lips find Candy’s and kiss her. Then I head into the kitchen to grab everything we need to make s’mores. The boys will say its kid stuff, but they’ll be the first ones that devour theirs and then beg for more, basically leaving Candy and I scraps. Chloe has a killer sweet tooth, much like Johnny did at her age. I guess it doesn’t help that she gets it honestly. Not to mention she’s with Candy anytime she’s at the bakery. Candy cut back on her hours drastically. She had to with taxiing the boys here and there, plus with Chloe. She wanted to spend as much time with the kids as possible.
We decided after Chloe, three were plenty and we were done. I wanted at least two more. Candy more so than me, but her pregnancy wasn’t an easy one on her with Luke. She had some morning and afternoon sickness. Chloe was the hardest on her, she was sick all around the clock those first twelve weeks. After that, she was still stick just not as often. When we found out she was having other complications, bedrest was mandatory. She said, “We have three healthy children, who knows what happens if we have another one? Plus, the boys. They keep us active and watch, this one will take after them, and she’ll be in softball. We’ll be living at a ball field here soon.”
I come back out of the kitchen carrying graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, and skewers for us to roast the marshmallows.
“I help,” Chloe jumps out of Candy’s lap and makes her way to me. I look over at Candy and smile. This is happiness, a simple Friday night of homemade pizza like always, and ending with family time.
Candy
Once the kids were in bed for the night, Dylan and I made our way to our bedroom. I started stripping the moment the door was firmly closed. My long sleeve tee comes off first, then I step out of my leggings. I’m in nothing except my bra and panties.