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Violet came back to the dorm to find us wrapped up together on the couch, planning our future. She hugged me but cried as she wrapped her arms around me.
“You’re not coming to Texas, are you?” She whispered as I closed my eyes. I was crying now.
“I’m not. We’re going to try to make it work. The families are all going to know about this and they’ll accept it, or they won’t. I am going to miss you so much, Vi.” I promised her as Sterling looked on from the couch.
“I could work for a firm here and stay. I don’t want to live without this baby. I have to be here to find out what it is in a month!” She said excitedly as I laughed.
“You can have a job on my building, Violet. Hell, it’s multiple stories and maybe one can be an architecture firm. I think a little variety is good, don’t you?” Sterling asked with a laugh as she went to hug him. Violet congratulated him about the baby and made him promise to take care of both of us.
He took us to the condo to show it to us and Violet stared at the building in horror.
“Is that three stories?” She asked as I felt my mouth drop open.
“Yeah, it is. We’ll make it work for the time being and sell it later for something more practical.” He laughed as he unlocked the door. We walked through every level and I thought it was beautiful. I knew the stairs would be tough later down the line with a toddler, but it worked for now. When I walked into the master bedroom and gazed over the city, it took my breath away. “Like it?” He asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
“It’s gorgeous. It has a bed already.” I said as I glanced at the only piece of furniture in the entire place.
“Mom wanted me to be able to sleep here.” I told her as she laughed. “I’ve ordered some living room stuff and kitchen supplies. It should be here by the end of the week. I’ve been eating out a lot. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t. I crave something different every day.” I laughed as he kissed my hair.
Epilogue
Three years later
Rosie
I watched as Miriam toddled across the living room to a pile of toys with a smile. She was going to be three in a few months and I couldn’t wait for her party. She was so beautiful with my dark hair and his eyes. She could be a handful at times but loved to cuddle with us when she was tired. I adored her. I glanced down at the sauce in the pan, stirring it as I heard the garage door open.
“Rosie?” Sterling called as I smiled.
“In the kitchen,” I called out as he reached down for a giggling Miriam. I heard them coming and turned around as he carried her into the kitchen. “How was work?”
“Excellent. We signed five new clients this week alone,” he told me before kissing me softly. “That smells great.” Miriam repeated him as I laughed and looked at her.
“I just need to make the pasta now. The bread is in the oven and your mom is bringing salad.” I smiled. “My mom made a cake that she’s bringing.”
It was still weird that they came over together. We sold the condo as soon as Miriam turned one and it got dangerous. We found a four-bedroom house a few neighborhoods away from our old neighborhood. We had money since Sterling’s trust fund was released early. There was a clause in there about him getting married and having a child that changed it. We just chose to keep it in a few investment accounts and live on what he earned at the office.
I was a full-time mom, but I did some freelance writing for fun and a bit of income. It was perfect for us and Sterling loved his job. Being the head of the company gave him room to make it what he wanted. Violet was the manager at her architecture firm and moving up so fast. The building was a great example of old history with all the quirks inside. I loved watching Miriam walk around when we visited Sterling. It brought back memories.
Back to the parents. Both moms embraced the idea of us being together and having Miriam. She had an older cousin to play with now and I loved their visits. All the siblings went with their mother’s lead in accepting us, but the dads had a tough time. They’d been in competition for so long that it was hard to drop. I thought it was some masculine things or something but eventually they started talking. It went so well that they decided to create a partnership that was doing well. Their kids were all around to take it over when they were ready to retire but it was fine if they chose to sell. It was up to them.
This was our usual Sunday dinner which was a tradition that I started. They were tense at first, but Miriam had a way of charming anyone into a good mood. I incorporated family recipes from both families into the menu now.
The doorbell rang, and Sterling kissed me again before going to answer it. His mom carried a bowl into the kitchen, setting it down to hug me.
“How are you feeling, Rosie?” She asked as I smiled. I was expecting baby number two in six months and it was tough chasing Miriam around while trying to rest. Everyone helped a lot and usually told me that I was doing too much.
“I’m better. Second trimester magic!” I told her as my father-in-law walked into the room. He still had that air of power every time that I saw him. It was just a part of the men in their family, but he’d relaxed so much. He came to hug me, and I greeted him warmly.
The water began to boil as my parents arrived, followed by Violet. She came with her new boyfriend, Mark. He worked at the office across the street from hers and they met at the deli. I’d never seen her fall for someone so fast before. Once the noodles were done, I had a lot of hands in the kitchen helping me get everything plated and ready, sending me to the table to rest. Sterling made me a plate along with Miriam and settled her into her chair as I smiled lovingly at him.
We ate and talked with the room full of laughter. I watched quietly, remembering when I was young with Sterling. It was always like this and my heart filled with love at the idea of history repeating itself. I loved that Miriam was going to grow up the way that I did without the heartbreak of it ending.
We enjoyed a decadent chocolate cake for dessert out on the back deck while Miriam played in the yard. It was beautiful with the sun setting and I snuggled in Sterling’s arm as I watched our daughter.
Once everyone was gone, and she was bathed and ready for bed, we tucked Miriam in with a story and lots of kisses. I always left the radio on for her and walked to the bedroom as I stretched. Sterling caught me in his arms and pulled me against him with a low chuckle.
