Page 113 of Mr. Red

I bury my head in his neck, embarrassed for such a spectacle in front of all our friends and family. He picks me up bridal-style and announces to everyone, “She said yes!” Then spins me around.

I can’t wait to see where our life takes us.

Epilogue

25 Years Later

Scarlett

Matt and I ended up moving to Texas a couple years after we were engaged. We had our son shortly after moving. Then Magnolia came along two years later.

Today was the day our youngest, “Mags” for short, headed off to college at Baylor. I’m comforted she chose to stay close. We were always doing things together when she wasn’t at school or with friends. We would go shopping, get mani/pedis, or go out to lunch. She was my pal. I always chose to do as many fun, girly things together as we could. Matt would tag along with us sometimes, just to spend time with her.

Her older brother, Troy, was the complete opposite. He went as far away as he could: England. I don’t want to think about all the casual relationships he must be having over there. We’re so proud he got into Oxford. He was always ambitious. I think we knew the day he was born he couldn’t wait to travel and see new things.

Having the kids out of the house is already different. I want to focus on the relationship between Matt and I again. We can go on dates whenever we want, have sex whenever we want, hang out whenever we want. Our relationship has been great through the years, but kids always came first. It’sstrange and exciting to be able to put ourselves first.

After we had kids, I stepped back from the gym a lot. We were able to expand the gym to Texas. I was able to focus on the operation for awhile. Then the kids came. I couldn’t bear to leave and miss all the big moments they were having right in front of me. It was important for me to be there, unlike my mom. I wanted to be there for their first steps, first laughs, and first days at school. I went into the gym part time when I knew Matt would be able to stay with them, but I put my kids’ activities and events first. I wanted to be the mom that was a part of their lives.

Now a big part of my life I focused on so much is over. They’re gone, living their own lives. I still plan to work at the gym teaching a class every now and then. It keeps me young. I could do more there if I wanted.

Matt doesn’t spend a lot of time working much either, which means we’ll both be home together a lot. I have no idea what I’m going to do with all this extra time. I give Paige a call.

“Hey, Scar!”

“Hi, Paige! How are you?”

“No complaints here. If you told me this would be my life when I was twenty, I would’ve told you to check your facts. But here I am, happy.”

“Glad to hear that. I’m in unsure-land. Any advice? Because I haven’t had the house alone with Matt in a looooonnng time and I’m not sure what to do.”

“Aw, how you doing? I know Mags went off to college.”

“It’s so empty here. I have a lot of time because my little pal has gone out on her own. Time to do a lot of things I normally wouldn’t. Like, I could do yoga naked.”

“Sure, sure.”

“I love how me talking about being naked doesn’t bother you.”

“I’m naked right now.” I imagine her shrugging as she pauses. “Anyway, you’re going to be fine.”

“You’re naked right now? Don’t you have to be ready for something? Are you planning on having sex? I suppose sex would be a fun thing to do...in the middle of the day...not many people get to do that, so it’s probably nice.”

“You’re babbling.”

“I don’t babble.”

“But here we are listening to you babble. Just go get naked and hop on Matt. It’ll bring back the magic! I want you guys having so much sex you forget your kids’ names.”

“Paige!”

“I’m just saying, relax! Have fun and tell me all about it!”

“You want details on my sex life?”

“Of course! Maybe you guys are thinking of things I haven’t tried yet.”

“I doubt that.”