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“Our children,” he whispers. “Look what you did, Olivia…”
“At least we’re going to be able to tell them apart, right?” I quip, and he laughs lightly.
But his humor soon fades, a pained expression taking over his handsome face. “I’m so sorry, Olivia. So sorry that it took me so long… You were alone this whole time… On your own.” He pulls a chair to sit at my bedside. “I’ve always been afraid of achieving true happiness. I had always thought my company would be it. I didn’t want to bring children into this world, I didn’t want a family, they were a distraction for me. And when you came along, Olivia, you unsettled me so deeply, I didn’t know what to do. I was afraid I’d fall in love with you, so I pushed you away.”
“Yeah, I was there,” I sigh, trying not to relive that sense of rejection.
“But I was already in love with you, and I didn’t realize it until it felt like it may be too late for me to do anything,” he says, shaking now. “I am so sorry it took me so long to say these words, but I love you, Olivia. I’ve been in love with you since that day at SanFranLabs. I think you pissed me off and I fell for you…”
I can’t help but laugh a little. “I would’ve kissed you right then and there—maybe even more than that, had we been the only ones in the room.”
“I wouldn’t have said no.” He smiles and leans closer, gently kissing my lips. “I’ll do everything in my power for you to forgive me. It will take time for me to regain your trust, I know that… but please, Olivia, let me be there for you. For them… God, they’re amazing…”
He looks at them for a long time, and I let him. We sit in silence, just staring at these two sleeping angels and wondering how they were brave enough to simplybeagainst all the odds. They were meant to happen, just like Will and I were meant to happen, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. It hurt to be without him, yes, but I never really shut the door. I could never bring myself to do it, anyway.
Part of me hoped he might find his way back to me eventually.
I’m just glad it happened this way. Precisely in this splendiferous morning.
“We’re gonna have to pick names for them,” I tell him after a while. “I had a few in mind, but if you’re going to be in our lives, I reckon you should have an input, too… if you want.”
Will gives me the sweetest, most intense look. I can feel his love coursing through my veins like liquid sunshine. He comes closer again, but this time he kisses the babies, his lips lingering on their foreheads before he pulls back and kisses me once more.
“We’ll find them names, sure. But right now, I just want to celebrate you, Olivia. You gave them life. You did something incredible today.”
“I think I’m gonna pay a heavy price for it,” I murmur, exhaustion returning with a vengeance. “Did I tell you that I love you, Will?”
“No, but I love you, too,” he says.
“I think I’m gonna pass out now…”
He chuckles softly. “It’s okay. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
My heart sings as sweet slumber finally hugs me. It’s been a long road to get us all here. There were times when I panicked and feared that I might not be able to do this. But we made it. Through the good and the bad, the joyful and infuriating, through the loneliness and the misery, too… we made it. We’re a family, and we never even planned for it.
Will may have had a hard time growing up, but I know that will make him into an amazing father for our children. My man. Our children. It all sounds so good…
EPILOGUE
OLIVIA
One year passes like a dream.
It’s so busy and colorful and messy and loud, so beautiful and scary and curious and exciting, so funny and annoying and exhausting and energizing. Everything everywhere and all at once! Matthew and Isabella are growing up so fast, they’re a treat on a daily basis, though they do keep us up at night sometimes, too.
We named Matthew after Will’s close friend who died when they were young. One of his orphanage brothers whom Will loved deeply. We named Isabella after my grandmother on my father’s side, one of the bravest women pilots in this country. We figured we’d give our children names that they would strive to live up to, or at least give them wonderful meanings of their own. We don’t know what the future is going to hold, but we will do everything in our power to make sure we go through it together and always in pursuit of happiness.
“Did I tell you that I love you?” I ask Will as we come down from the clouds and melt between the sheets of our bed. He makes love to me like there’s no tomorrow, every time we’re finally alone and the kids are asleep. We never know when they’re gonna wake up and start making their signature fuss, so every moment we get to ourselves we are careful to explore to the fullest.
“You did, but you can say it again. Here, I’ll reciprocate so you don’t think I’m cheap. I love you, Olivia,” he says, turning on his side so he can look me in the eyes, while his fingers trace invisible lines down my naked body.
“I love you, Will,” I reply, smiling softly.
We bask in the afterglow, listening to each other breathe for a while. Our souls are forever bound, our bodies a perfect fit for one another. Will has loved this new shape of mine, the delicate stretch marks left by the twins. Badges of honor, he calls them, and never misses an opportunity to shower me with kisses all over.
It’s been like this almost every day.
I’ll be returning to work soon—at Lilian’s company, like I agreed before giving birth. Will has been nothing but supportive on the matter, saying I could always come back and work for him if I wanted. I probably will, eventually, but I’m going to enjoy my free agency for a little while longer. I’m certain I will have a lot to learn from Lilian, too.
