EPILOGUE
TEN YEARS LATER
Faye
“I thought you were supposed to be the expert,” Eric, Lola’s husband, laughs as Felix tries to wrangle all the kids into position.
I check the camera view screen again, laughing as my husband chases the twins – his grandkids, Lola’s kids – and sweeps them into his arms.
Lila’s already in position, with her hair pleated, her hands clasped patiently in front of her. She gives me a look, an eye roll, as if to say kids.
It breaks my heart and makes me love her all the more. She’s so grown up for her age. And yet, like with all my children, part of me doesn’t want them to grow up, even if growing up means loving them more and more every day.
It's a tricky and wonderful thing, motherhood.
Adam and Jake stand near the front, our five- and six-year-olds looking neat in their shirts and their combed black hair. Both of them look like photos of Felix I’ve seen when he was around their age.
Felix chuckles as he carries the twins over to the back of the garden, where we’re all gathered. Fresh love blooms in me as he places them down and claps Eric on the back, both of the men grinning, and me and Lola smiling with pure happiness at how amazing, and bright everything became.
Lola and her husband are both doctors, they have two children who are absolutely incredible, and they’re happy.
We’re all happy.
Me, Felix, Lila, Adam, Jake, and little three-year-old Anna sit in front of everybody as she tangles with the bow in her hair.
She looks up, grinning. “Bow go boom! Bow go boom!”
“Soon, sweetness,” I say. “Bow go boom soon.”
“Mom, I’m ready,” Lila says.
“I know you are, angel.”
“I’m ready too,” Adam says.
“Not anymore!” Jake laughs, springing on him.
“All right, boys,” Felix says, walking over with a laugh. “How about this? Be good for Mommy, and I’ll wrestle you both after.”
“Really?” Adam grins.
“You will?” Jake adds.
“Scout’s honor,” my husband says, placing his hand over his chest.
He looks so similar to the day I met him, at least physically. He’s got the same silver hair and the same muscular body.
But there’s a new easiness to him, his smiles coming quicker, no darkness lingering in his eyes.
He’s as filled with love as we all are, and soon it’s time….
Everybody’s ready, posing for the photo.
I set the timer and hurry over, sinking into Felix’s embrace.
“How long did you set it for?” Lila asks.
“Fifteen seconds, angel. When it’s five, it’ll beep.”