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EPILOGUE

LAURIE

One Year Later

S ometimes, it’s almost impossible for me to believe it’s been a year since everything changed. I glance at the warm, wrapped little bundle in my arms, its tiny, barely visible face filling me with an unexplainable love.

Our daughter, Emily, is only a month old, and she's stolen both of our hearts. But now, sitting in the driveway of the Cartwright house, I'm wondering if she can not only steal the hearts of her grandparents but heal the rift between them and us as well.

I shift in the seat, glancing at the house. The same house where Adam and I fell in love. The same house that, a year ago, I never imagined I’d walk into with a baby.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves buzzing in my stomach. “Adam,” I murmur, my voice quiet and full of doubt. “What if they don’t accept us? What if … what if they can’t get past everything?”

He takes my hand, his touch calming me in ways only he can. "Then we'll give them more time. I sure as hell won't beg, Laurie, but we have time."

I swallow, tears pricking at my eyes as I nod. He's right. They didn't come to our wedding, and we didn't bother telling them about the birth, but somehow my mom found out she was a grandma and extended an olive branch in the form of this dinner tonight. "It's just…I don't know. This feels big."

"It is. But we've got Emily, and they'll be too busy falling in love to worry about anything else."

I laugh softly, glancing down at Emily, who’s fast asleep, a little sigh escaping her lips. She’s already so loved, so perfect. If they can’t see that, I don’t know what to do.

“Let’s do this,” I say, my voice finally steady.

We walk toward the front door, side by side. My pulse goes fluttery again, but Adam’s hand on my lower back is a quiet reassurance that I can handle whatever comes.

We reach the door, and I’m surprised when it swings open before we even have the chance to knock. My mother stands there, her face lighting up with pure joy as her eyes land on the tiny bundle in my arms. Her expression softens, tears welling up almost instantly.

“Laurie!” she exclaims, her voice choked with emotion. “Oh my God, look at you, and look at this precious little angel!”

She pulls me into a tight embrace, kissing my cheek and then immediately turning her attention to the baby. “This is my granddaughter? My first grandchild?”

I can’t help but smile as she leans down to gently stroke Emily’s face. I'm overwhelmed by how much I've missed her.

My mother continues to fawn over Emily, and I see Craig standing in the hallway behind Mom, his arms folded but a smile tugging at his lips.

He steps forward, offering a hesitant but genuine smile. “Laurie, Adam,” he says, his voice warm, though there’s still a hint of uncertainty. “It’s good to see you both. All three of you now! We, ah, have a lot to catch up on. Come in. Please." Then his voice goes tight like he's choking up. "We've missed you."

As we all gather in the living room, Emily cooing in my arms, I glance over at Adam. He smiles at me, his eyes full of tenderness, and I know, deep in my heart, that everything will be okay.

We’ve made it. Together.