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EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
Felix
I stand in the hallway just outside the living room, stopping with the drinks in my hand.
Lola and Faye are in there, talking quietly, probably so they don’t wake Lila.
My heart swells even thinking about my daughter, my second daughter.
Lila’s name is an homage to my first daughter, and I think it’s cute, Lila and Lola. We didn’t want to name her Lola outright because it would’ve been odd having two kids with the exact same name.
But I like this, Lila, a clear sign that our youngest daughter may not be here without her big sister’s blessing.
I remember the way she looked up at me on her first day in this world, her mother’s light in her eyes, and how I didn’t even have it in me to snap a photograph.
It was enough to just look at her and let her look back at me.
“This is all so magical,” Faye says.
My wife says. That’s something else that has me wanting to pinch myself to confirm it’s real.
This woman – talented, loving, sassy, beautiful, intelligent–is truly mine.
There’s no more doubt, ever, no more wondering if things will work out.
“The house?” Lola asks.
It’s new, with five bedrooms, ready for our family to grow.
Lola lowers her voice, and that’s how I know she’s holding Lila.
“No, I can see…you mean everything, don’t you?”
“Everything,” Faye says softly. “I know I’ve said it before.”
“About a hundred times.”
“But thank you so much.”
“You proved me wrong,” Lola says. “I said I didn’t want things to get awkward if you broke up. But that was before I got a chance to really see you both together. And sure, it’s weird. Sometimes. But not often. And this little Lily-Lila is more than worth it.”
I walk into the room before I’m unable to – before the moment sends me onto my ass with the sheer force of the love. Lola’s got her little sister in her arms, rocking her softy, and my Faye sits next to her.
They’re about to watch a rom-com together, and I smile at my wife as I place their drinks down on the table.
Faye’s sporting one of the casual dresses she wears sometimes just around the house, made of that flowy material. Seeing her in that makes me want to make another baby.
But mostly, it’s the happiness in my wife’s eyes I see, the love, the devotion…all mirrored in mine, I know, because I’ll never stop wanting and needing her.
“Shall I take the munchkin?” I ask.
“Do you mind?” Faye says.
I laugh quietly, leaning toward Lola, who offers her little sister up.
“She cries less than you did,” I joke.
Lola laughs. “Give her time. She’ll hit her stride soon.”
I leave them to their movie, holding my daughter gently in my arms, cradling her close.
“I love you, angel,” I whisper.
