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“Then she’ll be just like her mother,” I say passionately.
She shivers against me. “Yeah, right…”
“What do you call starting a charity, attending community college, having a baby, and planning a wedding all at the same time, angel? Genius is the only word for it.”
She looks up, her eyes glistening radiantly, causing an answering note of warmth to thrum inside of me. I hug her close and lean down, kissing her on the cheek.
She turns her head at the last second and our lips collide, whole planets of love and affection crashing together.
“I love you,” I whisper. “And I love you.”
I lean down and lay a kiss on Charlotte’s cheek, rising up to find my Callie staring at me with tears clinging to her eyelashes.
“Happy tears?” I smile, brushing them away with my thumb.
She returns the smile, lips spreading widely. “Happy tears.”
Extended Epilogue
Eight Years Later
Callie
Charlotte leans over the obsidian kitchen counter, one of her wicked smiles on her face. My eldest child is always ready with pretend-evil facial expressions, going through such a range sometimes I swear she’s going to be an actor when she grows up. But she says she’s going to be a bank robber, so we’ll see.
“Mommy, Daddy says you have to hurry up with dinner.”
I giggle as my gaze darts over her long red hair, tied back in a braid that goes all down her back.
She’s inherited her grandfather’s – Patrick’s – hair as well as his freckles. Her eyes are her father’s, all twinkling and roguish.
“Did he now?” I smile, knowing my daughter is playing one of her jokes.
“Uh huh,” she says, grinning. “He said you’re taking too long and if you don’t hurry up he’s going to bring the boys in here and it will be mayhem.”
I laugh as my attention moves to the window. Looking out upon the sunny late afternoon garden, I watch as my husband leaps into the pool, tucking his legs and jumping in.
Ryan, Jack, and Liam all laugh like little loons, popping up on the other side of the pool and waving their arms. The boys are wild, like their father, always ready to get involved in one of his games. Ryan’s the youngest, at four years old, with Jack and Liam the ready-for-anything six year old twins.
“Daddy’s a monster, Daddy’s a monster,” Liam cries and then swims away with a giggle when Conrad rears up out of the water.
Even after almost a decade of marriage and four children, my husband still ignites instant and burning lust inside of me, making me flare to life each time I drink in the sight of him, my eyes moving over his rippling back and his full head of silver hair, water sliding down his muscles and making him shine like the behemoth he is.
“I think daddy’s a little preoccupied going to war with the boys,” I say, turning back to Charlotte. “But if you’re that eager, you can always help. Chop some carrots?”
She nods eagerly and skips around the island.
“Be careful, remember,” I tell her, as she picks up the knife.
“I know, Mommy. I will be.”
We continue the meal prep in silence for a time, listening to Conrad and the boys playing outside. Each time the water goes splash, it’s like there’s an answering warble of love and contentment inside of me, spreading all through me.
My mind goes back over all the adventures we’ve had, all the joy we’ve shared.
My charity exploded after I finished college, immediately attracting investors so that I’ve always got a project to keep me busy. It’s hard work, running it all while giving my children and husband the attention they deserve, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The sense of purpose is so rewarding.
Mom works at a women’s shelter, as an art therapist, having fallen in love with it after her community college course. She’s even gone on some dates, playing the scene a little, though part of me knows she’ll always miss dad no matter what.
Conrad’s dad has settled down with a Spanish lady. They live just down the street and visit often.
Nothing could have gone better, could’ve been brighter, and it all started because I’m a clumsy driver.
“Mommy,” Charlotte murmurs, pulling me from my reverie.
“Yeah?”
“Is it true you crashed into Daddy?”
I smile down at her. “You know it is. I’ve told you the story a hundred times.”
“I was just thinking,” she goes on. “If you didn’t then you and Daddy would never have met, and me and the boys wouldn’t be here. It’s just… how crazy is that, Mommy?”
“Very crazy,” I agree. “But I did, and you’re here, my perfect little angel.”
She giggles, shooting me one of her I’m-too-grown-up-for-that looks. But she’s not fooling me.
“I can be a devil too,” she jokes.
“Don’t I know it,” I banter in return.
Suddenly she puts the knife down, opens her arms, and throws them around me in one big movement. I gasp and hug her back, letting my hands come to rest on her shoulders.
