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One week early, our baby came roaring into this world, demanding all the attention. I’ll give it. I’ll give her whatever she wants.

Nothing went to plan.

Everything happened exactly how it was supposed to, though, and I’m good with that. How can I complain when I’m holding my daughter in my arms? My baby girl is going to be so loved that she’ll expect nothing less.

Tatum chose the first name, giving me a little shout-out. She told me we’ll always have a little California in New York State since she stole me from the West Coast. I came willingly, but we vacation out there a couple of times a year. I kept the house and added her name on it. Life is good as long as we’re together.

But seeing Tatum truly content within her life makes my life even better.

We live next door to our best friends. We’re godparents to their little guy, James Nicholas, Poppy’s best friend. And one house down from them is Andrew and Juni. Reed is the oldest of the baby crew and already showing great leadership qualities like his dad, making Andrew very proud.

The only ones missing in this little girl’s life are her maternal grandparents. They’ll eventually be back in the city, but I can’t say they’re missed. As for the blank check . . . it cleared for the full eighteen million. Not one word was ever said.

Tatum yawns, opening her eyes. “I thought you put Poppy in her crib?”

“I wanted to hold her a little longer.”

Maintaining our hushed tones, she adds, “You’re spoiling her.”

“There are worse things I could spoil her with than daddy hugs.”

She reaches over with a smile on her face and rubs the top of Poppy’s bald-ish head. “I remember the first time you called me baby. I thought that was the best thing ever. But seeing you hold your actual baby, that wins hands down.”

“One day, she’s not going to fit in my arms, and that will break my heart.”

“Wait until she starts dating.”Not funny.

“Slow your roll, little mama. It’s too soon to talk about that.”

Tatum sits up and rests against my arm, her head on my shoulder so we can both stare at this little wonderment. “I always thought it was pride, or you forgot about me, that kept you from texting. It was hurt feelings on my part for the longest time. Now I realize it was timing. We weren’t supposed to be together yet. Look what patience brought us.”

I kiss the top of her head, and then say, “Happiness.”

EPILOGUE 2

Tatum

One year later. . .

I don’t rememberwhy I thought single-momming this kid would be my only option. Then I realized that double-parenting with Harrison is the dream I never thought I could have. But I do.I have him.

I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love him and Poppy. I finally understand what Nick was talking about. I’ll always love my best friend. Through thick and thin, we were a team. That still stands, but now we’ve expanded our family.

Natalie stands at the front of the conference room, and says, “It’s with great joy that today STJ becomes Devreux St. James.” We narrowly avoided the STD acronym. “Here’s to a long partnership built on success and friendship. Here’s to Tatum Devreux.”

The round of applause is appreciated, but these days, it’s simpler things, like promotions that are the only limelight I see these days, so I’m out of habit. Heat floods my cheeks, but I know I earned this partnership. Natalie came to me after my plan had been in place for less than a year. The company thrived. All while we bounced our sweet babies on our knees.

We employ one nanny, and so far, Mrs. Westrich, a seventy-four-year-old retired preschool teacher, is working out great. She also cooks.Bonus.Since I gave up on the cooking class, it’s nice to have a home-cooked meal instead of eating out of throwaway containers every night.

After putting Poppy to bed, I jog downstairs, ready to cover a few miles on the treadmill. When I enter the basement gym, Harrison is already on it.

Shirtless.

Sweat dripping slowly down his back.

Defined abs that were made for licking.

Deep tan from his last visit out west.