Epilogue

Harper

"What color dress are you wearing?" Noah called from his side of the closet.

"Black!" I called back.

"What color tie should I wear?" Noah called.

"Blue! My shoes are navy!" I told him, wiggling my hips to pull the dress over them. "Shit this dress is tight!"

"Got a lot of sexy ass to hold in!" Noah teased, his voice getting closer as he walked around the corner.

I gave him a grin, pulling my hair to one side.

"Zip me up?" I asked, turning around.

"Gladly." Noah laughed as he finished tying his tie. "You look gorgeous."

"You always say that." I rolled my eyes.

"Because it's always true." Noah laughed, kissing my shoulder before zipping up the dress.

"Mommy! Natalie's here!" Carson called up the stairs.

"DAD SAID NO YELLING IN THE HOUSE!" Jackson called back. "DAD CARSON'S YELLING AGAIN! SHE'S NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT!"

"So are you!" Noah called with a laugh, turning to walk out of the closet.

I followed him, walking into our bedroom to find out oldest.

"Gosh, they're so immature." Ryder rolled his eyes as he got off of our bed.

"Oh and what, you're so much more mature with your eleven years of wisdom?" I teased, ruffling his hair as he grabbed the iPad and turned to run past me.

"Well duh!" Ryder called over his shoulder.

I stepped into my shoes and was just doing up the second strap when Carson came bouncing into the room.

"Hi mommy." She smiled, climbing up onto the bed.

"Hey gorgeous." I said, smiling down at my seven year old. "What are you and Natalie going to do tonight?"

"I don't know... Probably watch a movie. But it's Jackson's turn to pick one." She grimaced, speaking of her twin brother with utmost disgust.

"That's alright." I laughed. "How about this. If it's a movie you don't like, you can come cuddle in mommy and daddy's bed and watch a movie that you like."

"Really?" Carson's eyes widened.

"I'll tell Natalie." I nodded. "Alright, spray me." I handed her the perfume.

Carson's face broke into a huge smile as she stood up on the bed, spraying the perfume on my neck and both of my wrists.

"Thank you gorgeous." I smiled, giving her a big wet smooch on the cheek.

"Ew lipstick!" She grimaced, trying to wipe the fresh red stain off of her cheek.

"Alright let's head down stairs." I laughed, heading towards the door.

Noah was talking to the babysitter as I got into the kitchen, both of the boys sitting at the table eating their pizza.

Carson jumped up into her seat and lunged for her own piece, hungrily digging in.

"Where are you guys going tonight?" Natalie asked, happily raising her eyebrows.

"That new restaurant that just opened up downtown. Mex. We'll be out pretty late though." Noah explained.

"At least midnight." I confirmed, smiling happily at my kids at the kitchen table.

"Alright no worries, I'll take care of bedtime. 8:30?" Natalie guessed.

"Let Ryder stay up while you get the twins ready for bed, he can have a little extra time tonight. But it's a hard 8:30 for the twins, alright guys?" I said firmly, looking specifically at Jackson.

"Yes mommy." He nodded.

"Jackson you've got hockey in the morning and Carson, figure skating bright and early." I said with a smile. "Mom's driving you two tomorrow, okay?"

"And Ryder we've got baseball at ten." Noah added, pulling his jacket over his shoulders. "Ready babe?"

"Alright love you all! We'll come tuck you in when you get home, see you in the morning." I said happily, following Noah towards the back door.

I was greeted with a chorus of 'love you mom!' in various ways as we left the house.

Noah let out a content sigh as he shut the back door.

"Freedom." He whispered, opening up the passenger door for me.

"Happy anniversary, darling." I smiled, softly kissing his cheek as I got into the car.

"You too. Can you believe we've been married fifteen years already?" Noah laughed.

"Shocks me every damn day." I laughed, pulling the seatbelt across my chest.

We were silent for the beginning of the ride, until Noah took a deep breath like he had something to say.

"What?" I frowned, reaching over for his hand.

"I saw Joanne Highland at the grocery store today." Noah said. "They're here visiting their parents."

Chills ran down my spine. "Yeah?" I whispered. "Did you talk about him?"

"He's doing good." Noah nodded. "Turned eighteen last week. Going to University of Michigan in the fall."

"Good." I nodded.

"He's got a girlfriend." Noah said softly.

"Good for them." I whispered, turning to look out of the window.

Noah squeezed my hand, sensing my anxiety.

"He wants to meet us, Harper." Noah said softly. "And I think... I think we should give it a try."

I turned to look at Noah, my heart jumping into my throat.

I felt like I was back in that delivery room eighteen years ago. Not even a high school graduate, thinking I had my entire life figured out as I gave birth to a child that shouldn't even have happened.

"Then let's do it. Let's meet him."

THE END