Epilogue Two: Ryker
THREE YEARS LATER
“Hey, baby doll! Where ya hiding?”I jog through the door. The latest trip to my head office to take care of things took way longer than I expected.
“Back here. In the baby’s room,” she calls.
I smile and run up the stairs, blasting through the door to slam to a stop at the lovely sight that greets me.
My beautiful wife feeding our daughter her breakfast. I tiptoe closer, running my fingers down her downy-soft cheek and smiling gently.
Jane smiles up at me, the dark shadows under her eyes not dimming the loving light that flares in their whiskey depths.
“You’re late,” she whispers.
“I’m sorry. I got held up and I actually chartered a flight to get here faster. I missed my girls.” My throat clogs with emotion.
We weren’t sure if we’d have any children. We tried but no matter what we tried, even in vitro, nothing worked.
I can’t tell you how much it broke my heart to watch Jane cry every month when we would get the awful news.
Finally, the doctor suggested adoption. And just like that, we researched the legal aspects and the hoops we’d have to jump through.
With our lawyer working on our behalf, we found a lovely young girl who was in college and couldn’t take care of a child. The father had disappeared and wanted nothing to do with his offspring. Claire was the sweetest girl and took good care of herself and her child until the birth.
My wife took one look at little Claire in the delivery room and fell in love. My own heart was full to bursting seeing how happy she was and how in love with the tiny girl with blonde hair and blue eyes.
I can’t imagine my life without her now. Jane still works but she’s taking more of a backseat to raise Claire, who we named in honor of her mother.
“How are the girls doing?” I whisper, wrapping my arms around my wife’s delicate shoulders, leaning in to kiss her lips gently.
“They’re doing great. My brother and Caitlyn just let me know that Caitlyn is pregnant with her third child.”
My eyebrow quirks and my stomach sinks. “Are you…?”
She nods and her eyes stay strong and focused. “I’m alright. I’ve come to terms with it. And it helps that we’ve got this beautiful girl to raise.”
“I’m glad, baby girl. I don’t know about you but I’m not sure we could manage another baby.”
Her face falls. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Surprise fills me.. “Why? I think Claire is going to be a wonderful daughter. I think our little family is perfect the way it is.”
Her pink cheeks flare. “That’s a shame. Because the lawyer got ahold of me and they have another child looking for a home and good, loving parents.” She nibbles at her lip. “I was hoping you’d think that it might be nicer to have two little bundles of joy.”
“Are you sure? With my work and your work we’re both so busy. And then there’s Claire. I don’t want to shortchange her.”
“We won’t. Don’t you feel like we can handle it? I feel like I have so much more love to give. And he sounds like such a sweetheart. He’s only six months old so it will practically be like raising twins.”
“Lord,” I breathe. “That’s a lot to take in.” I raise my eyes to her pleading ones and grin. “But you know I can’t resist you when you beg.”
“Yeah. I’ve seen that,” she giggles.
“Let’s call the attorney and get the ball rolling to meet him and start the paperwork. Of course, I’ll want to meet his parents or parent.”
“Of course. Could you call the attorney while I finish feeding Claire?”
“Absolutely. I love you, princess.”