Smiling, I lean down and kiss her. "I didn't say I wouldn't have wanted to punch the bastard, but your happiness is all that’s ever mattered."
"I'm glad you're that bastard instead," she muses, causing me to roar with laughter. "I love you."
"I love you so goddamn much, baby."
Once I take Kaylee in my arms, I sit in the rocking chair next to the bed.
"Who do you want to tell first?"
"I kinda just wanna wear it and see who notices. Maybe we should place bets on who we think will notice first."
"Oh, then I'm a hundred percent puttin' money on your grandma. She'll see it sparkling a mile away," I say.
She snorts. "I wouldn't doubt it, honestly. But I gotta pick Maize."
I hold out my hand, waiting for her to shake it.
“And what are the stakes?” she asks before taking it.
I think about it for a few moments. “Diaper duty for a week.”
Her hand bolts forward to take mine, and I grin wide.
“Deal.”
"It's on, baby mama."
"You're goin' down, BD!"
EPILOGUE
KAITLYN
ONE YEAR LATER
“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Kaylee and Harlow. Happy birthday to you!” the guests sing in unison.
Hadleigh and I each hold up a mini cake with one candle so the girls don’t burn themselves.
“Wait, sweetie,” Hadleigh says softly when Harlow tries to reach for the flame again.
“And many more,” Payton and I sing together, helping Kaylee blow out her candle.
Since the girls are only a week apart, we decided to celebrate with a joint birthday party. Kaylee taps the tray when I scoot her high chair closer, and Hadleigh does the same so they can taste their cakes. Like little savages, Kaylee and Harlow grab fistfuls, but most of it ends up on their face and in their hair instead of their mouths.
“Their cheeks are gonna be stained pink for a week.” Payton looks at the mess as I take pictures.
I laugh as Grandma Bishop tries to take a photo with her giant iPad.
“Want a pic with them?” Payton asks her.
“Thank you, dear. Swear you're the only one takin’ my hints.”
I scoff. “I woulda helped ya!”
“Me too,” Hadleigh adds.
“Well too late,” she says, handing Payton her tablet. My parents along with Hadleigh’s mom wait impatiently for their photo ops with the girls as Grandma leans between the two high chairs.