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Martin gazes at me with nothing but love in his eyes.
“I agree.”
“I’m glad you do. Because if this is what she wants, we have some ground rules while she’s still in school.”
He has a look in his stare that worries me.
“She does not move in with you until after graduation and, before that happens, I want to see where it’s going to be. Working in homicide, I know that you may be gone in the evenings, or even overnight, so I want to make sure she’s living somewhere safe.”
“Deal.” Martin agrees easily enough.
“Curfew on school nights is eleven.”
Martin nods again.
“Come fall she still goes to college. She was accepted into some great schools and deserves to have a future outside of the two of you as a couple.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Good. I’m glad. I want my daughter happy, Martin.”
For a minute, as I watch the man who has appeared so cold almost all of my life, I see a man filled with worry.
Over me.
Standing, I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his shoulders, whispering in his ear, “I love you, Dad. Thank you for accepting Martin.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. I’m sorry you ever felt like we didn’t. You’re the light in our lives and I only ever wanted what’s best for you.”
Kissing my forehead, he steps back and hands me over to Marty.
“Keep her happy, keep her safe, and we’ll be happy to have you as part of our family, Marty.”
“I will, and thank you. Celeste is my everything and there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do for her.”
Epilogue One
Celeste
“Ladies and gentlemen, join me in congratulating Wilson High’s class of 2019!”
Tossing my cap in the air, amidst deafening cheers, I waste no time in rushing to Martin’s side in the stands with Mom, Dad, the Inwood’s, and their kids.
“Baby,” Martin murmurs in my ear as he lifts me in the air. The past two months have been brutal. It seems all the crazy people have come out of the woodworks and started a killing spree, because I’ve seen Martin once, maybe twice a week since we spent the day with my parents.
“I did it!” I squeal as he puts me back on my feet.
“So proud of you, sweetheart.” Mom and Dad come over to hug me.
“Never had a doubt.” Grace says as she hugs me tight. “Have you told him yet?” I shake my head no. A couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t feeling well, and Grace made me take a pregnancy test that turned out to be positive. I wanted to keep it secret until after graduation. I didn’t want my parents to worry, and I knew if Martin knew, he’d be insistent that I move in with him immediately.
Last week, after over a month of searching, he and Dad found an apartment close to Columbia and in a good neighborhood. I was worried at first. I didn’t think I could be a mom and still go to school.
Saving Grace came to my rescue, though, and for the past three weeks we’ve been planning my courses and appointments. We’ve looked into childcare at the university and Grace even offered to watch the baby while I was in classes. I told her I’d wait to decide on that until Martin knew.
“Martin, Dad, Mom. I have some news…”
I bite my lip and squeeze Grace’s hand for support as they look at me. The longer I take, the more worried their gazes become.
