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“I know,” Natalie says and smiles. “What you have is special. But I’m happy. And that’s what matters.”
I nod and start putting away the dried dishes while Natalie starts wiping the countertops.
“I’m so happy everything worked out right,” I say. “We were a sad pair at one point, you and I.”
Natalie laughs. “All’s well that ends well, right?”
“Right,” I say with a grin.
We leave the kitchen, check on the girls in front of the TV who are still fast asleep, and head out to the fire where Rooster thinks he’s comedian of the year.
“How’s Ava?” Raven whispers when I sit next to her and take her hand.
“Fast asleep on the couch with her new best friend.”
Raven leans over and kisses me before we turn our attention back to Rooster, where he’s telling some joke Michelle thinks is hilarious. I laugh at how much she’s laughing, and Raven and Natalie exchange amused glances.
This is more than I could ever have asked for. Having everyone together, taken care of, and happy. I can’t believe this is how far we’ve come.
Once upon a time, I was an asshole who fucked around for fun, who didn’t make commitments or remember names. I worked to live, I lived to fuck, and I didn’t think I would ever want it any other way.
Now, when I look at Raven, I don’t even recognize the man I used to be. All I want is to be with her, to be a good father to Raven.
It’s crazy how much can change in the space between two heartbeats.
But that’s what love does to you.
Epilogue
Raven
Six months later
The rumble in the crowds is like an electric current. I stand next to Noah, who’s on his feet, cheering as his team runs onto the field.
“They’re not wearing any padding,” I point out, shouting so he can hear me over the crowds’ cheers.
“No, it’s doesn’t work that way. You’ve never watched Rugby before?”
I shake my head. “I’ve never been much of a sports person.”
Noah chuckles. “You’ll see how crazy this is.”
The teams line up, and the presenter says something I can’t hear before they run onto the field, waving.
Someone kicks the ball, and the game is in play.
And honestly, it’s chaos. One guy—big as a horse—grabs the ball and makes a run for it. He tries to bash his way through two thickset guys waiting for him. He sidesteps them, makes it past another guy, but then someone tackles him to the ground. He throws it to another player.
The whistle blows, the ref holds up his hand, and they huddle together.
“This is a scrum,” Noah explains. “It’s to bring the ball back into play after a player makes a mistake.”
“What mistake did that guy make?” I ask.
“He passed the ball forward; you’re only allowed to pass backward.”
“That seems the wrong way round.”
