Page 84 of Before It's Too Late

Abbey’s speech returned to normal fairly quickly, but it still took her a little extra time for her brain to process things. That was the hardest part for Cael to see. Abs still had her sense of humor, but her quick wit had died. For Cael, it felt as though a part of her was missing, still lost in the coma that had taken up two and a half months of her life, and he wondered if she’d ever get it back.

Regardless, Cael was just thankful to have Abbey back with them again. Zach had his sister back, mostly, and Taylor had her mom. Things were going to be okay.

The scars from this battle would be far deeper than the other battles she’d fought, but Abbey would recover. She was stubborn, and it’s what she did.

As for he and Zach, they were well on their way to finally having everything they’d always wanted. Each had his best friend and love of his life at his side, and if Cael had anything to say about it, it would stay that way until long after neither of them had the hand-eye coordination to tear it up on the screen, blowing up tiny little pixels, until they were old and gray.

Epilogue

Four years later…

With Abbey to one side, beaming with nothing but pure joy, Zach sat on a cushioned chair on the back patio, his legs outstretched and crossed at his ankles. Bringing the beer bottle in his hand to his lips, Zach couldn’t help his own smile as he watched Cael trying to teach Taylor how to ride a bike without training wheels. Fuck, he could hardly believe she was coming up on six years old.

“I won’t let go until you’re ready,” Cael said. “I promise.”

“I know.” Taylor situated herself on the seat again, getting her feet on the pedals as Cael kept her bike steady and upright.

“Ready, Tay?”

“Don’t let go until I say, Uncle Cael.”

Zach chuckled at the commanding yet sweet little voice. That kid definitely had her mom’s confidence.

“I won’t.”

Cael pushed her along, gradually picking up speed. The huge, grassy backyard made for a great practice zone. After he and Cael got married several years back, Zach sold his home and together they bought a new one—a six-bedroom, ranch style a little further out of town on a large lot.

“Mommy, Uncle Zach, are you watching?” Taylor looked over her shoulder, searching.

“Yes, we are, honey” Abbey replied.

“Watch where you’re going, Tay,” Cael said.

“I am. Go faster.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. Faster, Uncle Cael!”

Taylor pedaled faster. Cael ran with her. When she had enough speed, he let go. Taylor rode on her own for about fifteen feet before slowing and putting her feet down.

“I did it!” she screamed. “I did it! Mommy did you see?”

“I did, sweetie.”

“Awesome job, kiddo.” Cael walked to where she stopped and high-fived her. “Ready to try again?”

“Yeah!” Taylor looked toward the patio. “You guys watching still?”

“We’re watching, munchkin!” Zach hollered.

The screen door opened behind him. Riley appeared with a dark-haired little angel on her hip. Well,hiship, actually. It turned out Riley was transgender. It was no wonder Riley always seemed more like one of the guys. Apparently, he was.

“There’s daddy,” Riley said.

Zach shifted in his seat. “I was beginning to wonder about you two. That must have been quite the diaper change.”

“We stopped to read a book, then she wanted a snack, so I gave her a banana. Hope that’s okay.”