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I spark up my bullhorn on this beautiful Parisian Street with the entire band of Boston brothers behind me. All the kids are running up and down the street, and Colt’s oldest is holding Salem’s hand. I see Hayden in his art studio. It’s dawn, and the world is just starting to stir. He once said I was so loud, I could wake the dead. Let’s see.
“Hayden Corelli! HAYDEN!!!! GET YOUR ASS AND FAMILY DOWN HERE. Get your checkbook and meet us on the street or I’m going to keep making a commotion like Lizzie did all those years ago.” He turns and leans out the window. A paintbrush falls from his top-floor studio.
“What? WHY? What is happening?” He disappears from view, but we hear him bellow, “Put some clothes on, Elizabeth, apparently, we have company. A lot of company.”
Moments later, the azure door flies open, and their children, little Danny and his sister Krissy, spill into the street, followed by Lizzie, who doesn’t stop running until she’s hugging us.
“This is the best surprise. What are you all doing here? Oh my God.” She runs around hugging Claire, Robbie, Dax, Colton, and Law. As well as the other assorted members of our merry band.
Law says while picking up his niece and nephew, “We’re here to watch you pay up.”
Law, Robbie, and Hayden’s mother bounds out of the gorgeous three-story building, squealing, “MY BABIES. All the babies are here. Come to me.” Lilliana’s a flurry of hugs and kisses and holding her grandkids, both blood and soul grandkids as she calls them. Then she demands her actual baby. Law lifts her up and swings her around in a giant hug. She lives here with Hayden and Lizzie, and her other kids find any excuse they can to visit.
Hayden appears in the doorway. I pull up the bullhorn. “Now can I wake the dead? The deadbeat that is.”
Colt points out, “You owe her four million dollars.” His eyebrows raise.
Tony hugs Hayden and says, “It’s been five years and two days. She’d like her payout.”
“You know we don’t actually exchange money.”
“You do now! Don’t ever bet against a scrappy witch with nothing to lose.”
Tony looks over at me. “Nothing?”
I take in his face and throw my arms around him. “I guess I have everything to lose, but I’m not going to. I love you.”
“Bleck. It’s been five years, and you’re still like this?” Law says just as Hayden wraps his arms around Lizzie. He groans, “Ma, get me out of here. Take me inside so you can feed me lots of pasta so I fall into a food coma and can get away from all this bullshit.”
He’s almost inside when Tony yells, “I can NOT wait until it happens to you.”
I’ve collected twenty million dollars into their joint account, and it’s more zeros than I ever thought I’d see. Claire’s going to put the money into a scholarship endowment for women seeking STEM-related fields at an older age at their five different colleges. Kind of the ultimate second chance for women seeking a different life. I asked Tony to set one up at UNLV. It’s the first time I’ve asked for something over a hundred dollars.
We’re all sitting around Hayden’s backyard as our children run around, and our bellies have been filled by Lilliana and Lizzie’s mom’s cooking. The men are all in a corner, huddled and talking. And I have an idea, and since we’re all on the betting text chain together now…
MAK: I’ve got two million that Law has a secret baby out there somewhere.
COLTON: Candy from a baby. A secret baby.
HAYDEN: I’ll take those odds.
ROBBIE: Claire says I have to stop betting, considering I just lost 4, but I’ll take that action. And let’s put a million on my team making it to Stanley.
CLAIRE: Baby, this is a slam dunk. Take the bet.
LIZZIE: Oh, yeah. No one spreads their seed like Law.
LAW: HEY! I wrap every time.
DAX: Robbie, no one’s taking that bet. We all believe you’ll get the cup this year. Law, on the other hand.
LAW: Fuck you.
Uncle Dax and crew took Salem for the week in Paris with the help of Hayden and Lizzie. And we’re on a vacation that no one should be allowed to afford. A honeymoon we never really had. I was too busy.
The ocean is in front of me, and two hot-pink chairs are side by side next to an infinity pool. There’s a pool bar and restaurant directly to our right and a cabana changing area to our left. The warm tropical Saint Lucia breeze tickles my bare stomach and face. I’m awash in gratitude because Tony found this magical resort called Jade Mountain, and he plucked it from my dreams. The architecture is blocky and intricate. My love sits down next to me with a broad smile. He eases back into his chair, and I put my hand out. And as he snaps a fruity umbrella drink in my hand, I let tears flood my eyes as I say, “It’s finally perfect.”
The End.
