Epilogue
Eleanor
Twenty Years Later
“Ma, does dad know we are coming?” My oldest asks over Skype. His face is coming really close to the screen. I laugh.
“Sweet boy of mine, what is the point of a surprise party if he knew we were having one?” He huffs.
“You know you can never keep a secret from him.” Damn, he does have me there but still, I think that I have done pretty well for the last month with this particular secret if I do say so myself.
“Baby, I know how hard we have been trying to keep this a secret. Hell, we haven't even told your sister that you are coming. Cole will be there to pick you up when you get in.” He chuckles.
“Now she definitely can’t keep a secret to save her life. I can’t wait to see the look on dad's face. Make sure you record it.” I laugh.
“You are so right. I can’t wait to see you, baby.” I can’t help the grin that comes over my face. I am so proud of him for joining the Marines, but he has been deployed for the last two years and I miss him. The thought of him getting hurt over there is enough to almost bring me to my knees. I can’t wait to get my arms around my sweet boy.
“I miss you too, Ma. I’ll be there before you know it but I gotta go now. They are calling my flight. This is my last flight and I should be there in ten hours.”
“Bye baby, I will see you soon.” It’s seven in the morning and I am currently hiding in my pantry while I let my hubby sleep in. After all, it is his big Six O, I plan on making him breakfast in bed and then our four other children are coming over. My daughter is coming to help with the decorating and our two boys are taking their father golfing.
Beau once told me that he bought this big old house so he could fill it up with a family and we sure did just that. The last twenty-four years have been amazingly full of laughter and babies, love and companionship. We have four sons and one daughter. Our youngest just turned eighteen and is now at MIT. He is coming down from Massachusetts. He is also picking up his brother, Dillon from the airport on his way. It has been so long since all of my babies have been under one roof and I can’t wait to see them all.
The pantry door opens, and I let out a squeak of surprise. Fuck he still takes my breath away.
“Chérie what are you doing?” I flush and give off a nervous laugh.
“Uh, the door shut behind me and I was trying to find the door to get out. What are you doing out of bed? You are supposed to be sleeping so I can make you breakfast in bed,” I scold, walking out of the pantry, silently patting myself on the back for not blowing my cover. He chuckles and wraps his arms around me pulling me close to his chest.
“I know what else I can have for breakfast,” he growls kissing my neck. I sigh and lean into him.
“Fine, but then you get to make me breakfast.” He chuckles.
“Whatever you say, love.”
* * *
Tminus one minute and I am freaking out a bit. So far everything has gone to plan. Cole picked up his brother and they are now on their way. The party has been in full swing for about forty minutes. All of our friends and half of his old baseball team are here as well. We have the grill going outside and there is a cake in the fridge just waiting to be eaten.
Cole just walked in a couple of minutes ago. I walk to the garage and see Dillon sitting on the hood of his old Mustang. The one worked on before he was deployed. I gasp and run to him. He spots me the minute before I run into him. He hops off the car just in time for me to wrap him in my arms.
“Baby, I missed you so much,” I cry holding him as tight as I can. He wraps his arms around me and squeezes me just like how he used to when he was little. I am now only realizing that my little boy is all grown up. When he stands to his full height and my toes barely touch the ground, but he will always be my sweet baby.
“I missed you too, Ma.” I sniffle and hold him for a few more seconds then pull back.
“Okay, baby let's surprise the shit out of your dad.” He chuckles.
“Let's do it.” I send Cole a text to send his father out here to get something because I want Beau to be able to see Dillon before everyone else does. I hear the thud of boots and stand to the side turning on my camera.
“Chérie what are you doing out here? Are you ready for round two?” Our son makes a gagging noise and Beau looks away from me over to our son. His mouth drops open. Oh my God! I am going to have to edit this video before I post it online. My husband, the man who has cried less than ten times in all of the years we’ve been together, wells up with tears. He makes it to our son in no time flat, giving him a crushing hug.
“Hey Pops,” Dillion says.
“Oh, God. This is an amazing present. How long are you here for?”
“Just for the weekend but I couldn’t miss my old man's birthday.” Beau clears his throat and slaps Dillon’s back before stepping back. I put down my phone and walk over to them putting my arms around them both.
“How about we go see everyone else?” They both chuckle and nod their heads. After a few minutes of high-pitched squeals and back slaps everyone settles into a nice rhythm. I look out at everyone that I love and can’t help being in wonder of how amazing my life is. All because of the man I fell in love with at first sight. Beau comes up beside me and pulls me to his side.
“Thank you for the wonderful life you have created with me, chérie.” I snuggle into his side and kiss his chest. “Thanks for loving me, sweetheart.”
Nothing is better than this.
