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Epilogue to the Epilogue

We wakeup a few hours later to the buzzing and ringing sounds of both our phones.

Disentangling our limbs, we reach for the phones at the same time.

I blink several times and try to focus on the alarm clock on the night table.

Who’s calling at 4:49 am?

Liam reaches over me with his much longer arm and grabs both our phones from the table, hands me mine, and checks his phone while I try to focus on my screen.

We look at each other’s phones and scramble out of bed at the same time.

‘I’m a mom’ and ‘I’m a dad’ messages shine on the iPhone screens.

My phone rings and we both stop. I answer it.

“Skye?”

Her voice is a little strained, but calm.

“River, you are an auntie.”

I squeal. “Oh my God! But, but, but—it’s not time yet. You have another three weeks.”

Liam jumps over the bed and comes to my side. I’m momentarily distracted by his nakedness.

“I guess babies have their own time schedule,” she says.

“I’m an aunt, and you’re an uncle.” I grin at Liam.

“Are you okay? Is everything good? Did it hurt? And the babies? How’s Logan?”

Words come tumbling off my lips and I’m bouncing on my feet. I’m so happy for my sister, my excitement can’t be contained.

I hear Skye giggle.

“Everything is perfect.”

That one word—perfect—answers all of my questions. Skye found in Logan a man who sees and loves her. She’s a mom. I’m an aunt. Liam and I are getting married. Just one word to describe it all—perfect.

Relief and joy swell in my chest and spill out of my eyes. Liam’s arms go around me in an instant. He presses my head to his chest, phone in my ear still.

“When can we come in?” I ask.

“Visiting hours start at nine. Logan wanted to wait until morning to call, but I knew you’d kick my ass if I didn’t tell you right away. I wanted to call before, but my water broke in the middle of the night and the contractions started so fast, we didn’t have time to do anything other than run to the hospital. The doctor was very surprised by how quick the labor developed, especially for being a first-time mother.”

“I’m so happy for you.”

Liam points at himself and makes the sign of a phone call with his hand.

“Liam says hi, and he’s super excited to be an uncle too. Tell Logan to call him.”

“I will. His hands are quite full right now, but I’m going to try to nurse and I’ll tell him to call Liam.”

“Okay, go nurse and rest. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Bye, Sis. I love you.”