EPILOGUE 1 - KYM
one year later...
Istand at the edge of the field, my eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of Hayes. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow across the land. I clutch my growing belly with one hand and wave with the other as I spot him making his way toward me.
"Hey there, trouble," Hayes says as he approaches me, handing me a little bouquet of wildflowers—something he does almost every day without fail—and leans down to press a soft kiss to my lips, gently cupping my stomach with his hand. "How are my little ones doing in there?"
I smile, feeling a solid thump of movement beneath his hand. "They're doing great, strong, just like their daddy."
Hayes grins, his eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait to finally meet them."
"Me either," I say, still both excited and nervous about having my first foray into motherhood giving birth to a set of twins. But Hayes is an amazing partner and husband, so I feel sure he'll make a wonderful and involved father. On top of that, we have the support of Josh and Regina nearby, so I have my village. Even though I'm nervous, I know I'm going to be OK.
"This looks good." Josh takes my hand and guides me over to a picnic blanket I've laid out, complete with all of our favorite snacks and drinks.
"Thought you'd enjoy coming home to a bit of a treat. Lord knows it's unlikely to happen much once these two come out."
"I'll come home early to prepare picnics for you," he says, kissing the side of my head as we settle down on the blanket and nibble on some grapes.
As we chat about our days and the events on the farm, I take the quiet moments where we're both eating to reflect on how far we've come. Our marriage has been the happiest and most fulfilling thing that's ever happened to me. Hayes is still just as caring and attentive as he was on the very first day we met, always putting my needs before his own.
He's even tried his hand at training Miffy to herd as well, but she's not having any of it. But that's OK, because she's the greatest house dog I could hope for. Always dutifully by my side and ready to help rinse the dishes clean at any moment. I'm sure she'll be wonderful around the twins when they're born. She has a very loving temperament.
I toss a little piece of meat her way and she snaps it out of the air, gobbling it down and sitting eagerly near my feet for her chance at another crumb. She's been unusually close to me today, and since I'm so close to the end of my pregnancy, I wonder if she's sensing these two are getting ready to make an appearance.
Taking another grape from the container, I pop it into my mouth, enjoying the sweetness and the warmth of the sun on my face. Hayes sneaks his arm around my waist, pulling me in closer to him. I lean my head on his shoulder and smile contentedly, feeling safe and loved in his embrace.
"You make me a very happy man, Kym Evans," Hayes says, pressing a soft kiss against my shoulder.
"You're an easy man to love, and to please," I say with a giggle. "Sex, food, and a loving embrace, and in return, you treat me like a queen."
"That's how it should be," he says, nuzzling the tip of his nose against my cheek.
Everything about being with Hayes this past year has been wonderful, but the best part about our lives right now is that we're about to start a family together. I can hardly wait to hold those tiny little humans in my arms and watch them grow up with a man like Hayes as their father. He's going to be so great at it.
"Oh my." My hand flies to my belly, my thoughts interrupted by a sharp pain that arcs across my abdomen, squeezing my belly tight, then receding as quickly as it began.
"What was that? Another Braxton Hicks?"
"I don't know. It seemed more intense."
"Holy shit. Is it happening?"
"Oh god, I hope not. I was supposed to get another week," I say, my breaths starting to come in short gasps as another wave of pain hits me.
Miffy jumps up and lets out a bark, coming over to me and nudging me in the side.
"I think we should start making our way to the doctor, just in case. You don't wanna be giving birth in the truck." Hayes stands up quickly, pulling me up with him as he supports me walking back to the house. "Wait right there. I'll get your bag and start making calls to the doc."
As I wait for Hayes to return with my bag, the pain intensifies, causing me to double over and gasp for air. Miffy whines beside me, sensing my distress. I take deep breaths and bury my fingers in her fur, trying to calm my racing heart. The thought of giving birth right now is overwhelming, and as much as I was fine waiting till my due date, I'm also excited that I'll get to meet these babies sooner rather than later.
Hayes comes rushing out with my bag, his normally easygoing demeanor replaced by one of urgency and panic. "Let's go, Kym. The doctor seems to think it's going to happen fast at this rate. He wants us there as soon as possible."
He shuts Miffy in the house and helps me to the truck, my contractions coming only minutes apart now.
"Oh god. What if we don't make it in time?" I cry out as we start driving down the bumpy farm roads.
"Then I'll deliver our babies myself. Can't be that different from lambs, right?"
