“Hello sweetheart,” she holds her arms up for Lincoln to pick her up.
“Hey Bella Bug, do I get any of that loving?” she launches herself out of Lincoln’s arms and into mine.
We stay and chat with her for a few minutes, asking her how her week has been. She tells us all the fun she’s had with Callie, “Uncle Linc, I just love your pool,” she says as we’re talking about what she’s done so far.
“You’re welcome to come by anytime,” I place her back down, when I stand back up, I see my parents at the door.
“Hey Bella Bug, why don’t you go find Auntie Lyla and we’ll be out in a few minutes,” I tell her.
“Okay,” she hugs my parents and then skips down the hall.
I take a deep breath, waiting to get the lecture I’ve been dreading, but that’s not what happens. No, shocker of all shockers, my mother gathers me in her arms, tears streaming down her face, “We’re so happy for you, we’re happy for you both.” Mom enfolds Lincoln and I in her arms. Dad is standing off to the side, his arms crossed, standing in defiance.
“Dad, you know we saved you a fortune by eloping, right?” I try to lighten the mood up with a joke.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, come here munchkin,” he finally unfolds his arms. “Your Mom and I love you. We even love that big lug you’re married to.”
I take a full breath for the first time in what feels like days. We all leave the office and head back towards the main bar, everyone is here, smiling, laughing, and having a good time.
“Everything’s okay, baby, everything,” Lincoln whispers into my ear.
“Everything’s perfect,” I look into his eyes, a smile plastered on my face.
Epilogue One
Lincoln
Nine Months Later
We didn’t know it when we got married, but apparently Presley was pregnant. We both knew there could always be that chance.
Now we’re sitting at home, waiting for everyone to come over to our place to celebrate Noah coming home from the hospital. It was the longest and most grueling twenty hours of Presley’s life until they finally had to perform a cesarean section on her. Presley hated every minute of it, at one point she even said she felt like less of a woman not being able to give birth to her own child. I shut that shit down as quickly as I could, she may have only been a mom now for a couple of days, but I knew the moment we found out that we’d be parents, she’d be amazing.
“You need anything while I’m up?” I ask her.
“No, he’s almost done nursing and then you can take him for a little bit. I may take a shower before everyone gets here,” I look over to where she’s sitting on the couch. Her bare breasts out to nourish our boy, she’s everything I could have asked for.
“You can’t look at me like that, Lincoln,” she grouses.
“It’s going to be a long six weeks,” I grumble to myself. She laughs, it disengages Noah from her breast, and he lets out his own wail of annoyance.
“Shh, it’s okay, Noah,” he latches back on, quickly at that. I get the food out that we ordered, not wanting anyone to have to cook and clean up.
When everything is out on the kitchen counter, I hear a knock on the door, “Coming.”
Opening the door, I see it’s Callie and Clairabella, “Hello, Uncle Linc.”
“Hello, sweetheart.” I reply before picking her up.
“Hey, Linc. Do you need any help before I steal Noah away from your wife?” Callie asks.
“Nope, I’ll take Clairabella while you get your Noah fix,” I chuckle, knowing full well once Presley’s parents get here, all bets are off, and I won’t be holding my baby boy until they leave.
“Bella Bug,” Presley says as she walks towards us, Noah is in her arms.
“Hello, Auntie Pres. Is that my cousin, Noah?” She asks.
“It sure is, would you like to hold him?”
“Pretty please?” Clairabella asks.
“Sit on the couch and I’ll bring him to you,” Clairabella marches off to the couch like the princess she is. Once she’s settled in, she holds her hands out for him.
Presley places Noah in her arms, the three of us scoot back once he’s firmly situated in her arms. Callie has her camera out, Presley has tears streaming down her cheeks, and me, well I’m the happiest man on the earth to be surrounded by not only family but friends too.
Presley grabs my attention and mouths, “I love you.”
“I love you,” I whisper into her ear, not wanting us to be apart right now.
Epilogue Two
Presley
Three Months Later
“We haven’t had a girl’s night out in forever,” Lyla says while sucking back her vodka and club soda. We’re at Maverick’s tonight, my parents are at home with Noah. We offered him to spend the night at their place, but they declined. My mom is all about Noah being in the comfort of his home. I love her so much more for that.
“I know, I suck,” I take a sip of my red wine, while looking at both Lyla and Callie.
“You’re not the only one to blame, Pres. Lyla’s been out of town for months on end again, and well between Clairabella and my own job. It’s been a nightmare to even get a chance to go to the grocery store,” Callie sighs.
“About that, I took a job closer to home. My days of traveling that much are over,” I’m shocked with Lyla’s statement, she always seemed to enjoy it so much.
“Is everything okay?” I question.
“Yes, I need a change of pace. I realized I was missing so much of what was happening at home, it was a feeling of home sickness rather than exploring new places,” She runs her fingers through her dark hair.
“Well, I’m glad your home. When do you start your new job?”
“Yes! Clairabella will be so happy her Auntie Lyla isn’t always gone too. I never told you because I figured it may make things worse, but she misses you, a lot,” Callie responds.
“That’s part of the reason I’m coming home, you guys have children I’m missing out on. That’s something, I never want to do or feel again. This next job though, it’s freelance, so as long as I do what needs to be done. I’m available now, day or night, and I expect you both to use me. Auntie Lyla needs some Noah and Clairabella time,” a soft smile appears on her face.
Callie and I both get off of our barstools, jumping up and down, hooting and hollering.
When Lyla stands up, all three of us hug, happy smiles are plastered on our faces even with tears streaming down them.
“Well this means we can do more than a once a month girls time,” Lyla says as we finish our group hug.
“Speak for yourself, Mr. Asshole never quits,” she grumbles.
“Have you thought about quitting?” I ask her.
“Yeah, what Presley said,” Lyla pipes in.
“I’m actively looking, but tonight isn’t for me. It’s for Lyla, so let’s celebrate!” Callie yells.
We order drinks upon drinks, none of us worrying about how we’ll get home. Lincoln is here and I know he’ll make sure we’re all safe and sound.