EPILOGUE
APRIL
Eighteen months later…
“Have you tried cutting the afternoon nap short? It may be that he’s getting too much sleep.” Trish has one baby on her hip while she feeds Rose, her eldest, a piece of toast in her highchair.
Kendra paces the kitchen with Ruben pressed to her shoulder. She’s got dark circles under her eyes and her hand moves mechanically, rubbing Ruben’s back as she tries to soothe his cries.
Bailey is in the corner with Bettie, Danni’s little girl, and I keep one eye on them as I slice the tomatoes for the salad.
“I don’t like to wake him,” says Kendra. “I’m usually napping too.”
There are murmurs of recognition from the women in the room. Ruben’s been a terrible sleeper ever since he was born, and toddlerhood hasn’t changed anything.
I rub my belly with a smile.
It will be a few months yet before we welcome our little girl into the world, and I can’t wait for her to join the extended family.
“Should I do two apple pies or just the one?” Maggie asks. “Two,” I say at the same time as Danni and Trish and we all laugh.
It’s the monthly club dinner tonight, and the restaurant has closed so we have free rein of the kitchen. There’s roast meat in the smoker out back, and the women are in the kitchen doing the salads and side dishes.
“Why don’t you go have a lie down now?” Danni takes the fussy toddler off Kendra, and she gives her a grateful look.
“Thank you. I might do that.”
Kendra heads out of the kitchen, and we resume our work preparing the meal. It’s one big family here, and we look out for each other.
Bailey calls every woman in this room aunt, and I’m aunty to every child here too. We help each other when needed and have each other’s back. I know when my time comes in a few months that my MC sisters will be looking out for me too.
I took a waitressing job in the Wild Taste Restaurant and Bar, which has helped me stay focused on my recovery. A few months ago, I started studying part time for a degree in psychology. I want to help others like me to beat addiction.
Trish has just opened a refuge center for women, and I help out there a few times a week. We see women coming through who have addiction issues or are fleeing situations with them. I want to do more to help, and once I have my degree and certifications, I’ll work with Trish full-time.
I’ve never once slipped up, and as the months pass, it becomes easier and easier. I look back on those dark times as if they happened to another person. It doesn’t feel like that was me.
Every day I’m grateful that Grant gave me a chance. With his support and the MC, I’m a different person, one who’s able to cope with life’s ups and downs.
The door bursts open, and my heart flutters when I see it’s Grant. He’s got a mischievous smile on his face, and his glance goes first to Bailey and then to me.
“April.” He raises his eyebrows. “I need your help for a minute.”
I glance at Maggie and she raises her eyebrows. “Go,” she says. “I’ll finish the salad.”
I wipe my hands, wondering what it is that I’m needed for. Although when I see the mischievous glint in Grant’s eye, I’ve got a pretty good idea.
“Will you keep an eye on Bailey for us?” Grant asks Danni.
“Of course.”
She raises her eyebrows at me. “Have fun,” she mouths.
The girls giggle as the door closes behind us.
Grant slides his arm around my waist and rests it on my belly. Since we found out I was pregnant, he doesn’t like to let me out of his sight for long.
“What do you need help with?”
