I step back, thunderstruck. Pregnant?
Cora rambles on nervously. “Is – is that bad? I don’t know for sure, but we made love a lot, and accidents happen. And I’m young, and I’ve been nauseous for a few days now and so emotional and I thought it was all because of us, but I think it’s –”
I cut her off mid-sentence with an impassioned kiss.
“I’ve wanted to be a father again for years now, sweetheart. I’ve wanted to have the chance to raise a child with a woman I truly adore. And to get both at once?” I bite my lip, my own eyes misting a little at the situation. “I didn’t think I would ever be so lucky.”
Her eyes fill with tears again, full of love, joy, and happiness. And with that, I hold Cora again, knowing that for now and forever, she’ll be mine.
Epilogue
Cora
Two years later.
“Come on Pyra, eat some peas, please.” I press the spoon against my little daughter’s mouth, but the 14-month old just giggles and knocks the spoon out of my hand. Peas go flying.
“I can’t believe how strong she’s getting,” my mom says while stroking her granddaughter’s hair affectionately. “And so big,” she says to Pyra in a silly voice, which only makes the baby laugh harder.
“That first birthday party was pretty epic. You do realize you’ll have to outdo yourself at her second one, right?” Marky teases. He’s casual and light-hearted, beaming at his younger sister.
“Yeah, yeah. But don’t worry, you had your own epic first birthday.” Matt claps his son on his back, laughing at the memory. Father and son beam warmly at one another, and I’m happy that Marky has accepted our relationship.
After all, we’ve just finished our own big family dinner, a Sunday night ritual that Matt and I implemented two years ago. That first dinner had just been a ruse to get everyone in the same room to tell them that we were an item, but it quickly turned into a tradition. Especially after little Pyra was born.
I look at my little daughter lovingly. She has my wild brown hair and Matt’s stunning blue eyes. Sitting in her high chair, she swings her chunky little legs and coos at the loving family around her.
Deciding to name the baby Pyra began as a joke between Matt and me. “‘It’s Latin, for fire,’” he told me, obviously teasing me for my brush with arson. “If we name her after fire, she’s going to be a handful!” I quipped back. But in the end, despite our teasing, we actually realized that it was the perfect name for our little love child, since it was a fire that brought us together.
“So Brett, how’s the team doing this year?” my dad, Frank, asks. Oops, stop daydreaming, Cora. I turn my attention to Brett, Marky’s boyfriend. They’re out about their relationship now, and I’ve never seen Marky so happy.
“Well it is JV football, but overall, we’re doing pretty well. You guys coming to the game next Friday?” Brett asks Matt and me, his handsome face crinkling as he smiles.
“Absolutely, we wouldn’t miss it.” Matt smiles at Brett, and then at his son.
“Great.” Marky stands up. “Well, we better get going. My boss is cruel and makes me get to work early on Mondays.” He winks at his dad as he and Brett say their goodbyes. I close the door behind them, only to find my mom and dad putting on their coats as well.
“Oh, I hate to leave this little doll, but your dad and I better get a move on, too,” Marcia says. My mom scoops up Pyra and snuggles her before putting her down once more. I hug each of my parents and walk them out.
“Bye Mom. Bye Dad. Drive safe!” I call, as they pull their Subaru down the long driveway of Matt’s mansion. Or maybe I should say our mansion because we live here as a family now.
I come back to the kitchen, where Matt has Pyra in her highchair and is already cleaning up.
“Looks like it’s just you and me, kid,” he says while chucking our baby girl beneath the chin.
“Hey what about me?” I ask, feigning irritation.
“You’re cute, too.”
I laugh and help Matt clean up after the dinner party.
“I can’t believe it’s been two years,” he says casually as he scoops leftovers into Tupperware containers.
“Two years?”
“Since our first night at the cabin. When I saved your life, remember?”
I burst into giggles.
“Hardly – you saved the cabin’s life,” I say sassily. “I could have run outside at any minute.”
“And freeze to death in those skimpy panties you had on?” Matt asks, one eyebrow raised. At my surprised look he adds, “Oh, and sweetheart, don’t forget: I also remember in vivid detail just how see-through that bra was.”
I throw a dishtowel at Matt.