Epilogue
“Since you promised me a brother, and now I have a sister. I think when I pass my driving test, the Camaro should be mine.” The crowd laughs at the best man’s speech. “And don’t forget, I gave you permission to marry my mother,” Timmy says, holding up his glass of ginger ale.
The wedding guests lift their champagne flutes and drink. Seconds later the clinking of silverware against the empty glasses begins.
I give the crowd what they want and kiss my husband.
The reception is small. Close friends and family. Neither side has too many people, although I invited Mike’s family, and Chance invited Ashley and her husband. I wasn’t too thrilled about that one, but I did say the reception is mainly for him and his family to have the experience.
When I was released from the hospital, Chance insisted that he, Timmy and I hop on a flight to Vegas to get married. It was spontaneous and according to him, necessary so that the baby and I were covered under his insurance which is better and cheaper than mine.
“You look like the cat that ate the canary,” Chance says, during our first dance as husband and wife.
“It’s seeing you in that tux, and knowing I get to get to undress you later.” I tease.
“You plan on having your way with me, Mrs. Carter?”
“You know it, Mr. Carter.”
After the first dance, Mike’s mother and sister come speak with us.
“You’re baby girl is so precious.” Betty says, pulling me into an embrace.
“Thank you,” Chance responds, with a smile before I can say anything.
“If you ever need a babysitter, you know where I am. And I don’t mean just Timmy. I’d love to look after Mikenna as well.”
I feel bad. I know she hoped Mike and I had other children. She loves spoiling Timmy and her other grandchildren.
“Would you like a moment alone?” Chance asks out of respect for the relationship I still have with my in-laws.
“No.” Maggie answers without hesitation. “You should hear this, too.”
“We want you to be happy, dear,” Betty says. “We’ve been so worried about you since Michael died. He loved you so much, he would’ve wanted you to be happy. It’s clear that Chance does that.”
“He does.” I look up and smile at my husband like a lovesick teenager.
“We just want you to know, Kim. No matter what happens. You’ll always be part of our family. That goes for Chance and little Mikenna, too.”
“Thank you, Betty.” My groom leans down and kisses her cheek. I can tell from the high pitched giggle, that Chance won her over and made her night.
“And I don’t think I can express what it means to me,” Betty tears up. “That you named her after my son.”
Chance rests his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t thank me. He’s a part of who Kim and Timmy are. And I’d like to think somehow he had a hand in bringing us get together.”
She smiles at my husband, touches his cheek with her open hand, and walks away.
“See, and you worried they would hate you for marrying me.” Chance slips his arm around my waist and whispers as they return to their table.
“I think it’s because Betty’s sweet on you.”
“Hey, whatever works.”
He takes my hand in his and leads us back out to the dance floor.
“Are you happy?” I ask, loosing myself in my husband’s beautiful eyes.
“More so than I ever thought possible.”
This time it’s Ashley that interrupts us. “I could attest to that. In all the years I know him put together, I’ve never seen him smile as much as he has tonight.”
“No way!” I protest.
“And he never looked at me the way he looks at you. I saw it, even when he tried to hide it at the pizzeria. I knew he was head over heels for you. I’m really happy you guys worked it out.” She looks over her shoulder. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my man. With three little ones at home, we don’t have a night to ourselves very often.”
Her husband waves and Chance nods back to him.
“Do you know him well?” I ask.
“Well enough.” Chance shrugs. “He was my roommate.”
I slap at his chest. “You never told me they got married.”
He shrugs with a smile before placing a quick kiss on my lips. “I like it when you’re jealous. It makes me feel wanted.”
“I always want you.”
“Excuse me.” Timmy pats Chance on the shoulder. “Would you mind if I have a dance with Mom?”
“Not at all, little man.” Chance let’s go of me and takes a step back so I can dance with my son. “That was quite a speech,” he says, from a foot away as Timmy and I sway back and forth.
“Thought you’d like it. Especially the part about giving me the Camaro.”
“You got me dude, who would’ve thought with all this testosterone I have in me, that we’d have a girl?”
“Please.” I roll my eyes. “Don’t get ahead of yourselves boys.”
“What? When they couldn’t tell what the sex was, I thought for sure it was a boy.”
“That was reason enough to think it was a girl. If it was a boy, just like the rest of the male species, he’d be happy to show off his thing.”
“Oh gross, Mom. Don’t start talking about my thing, and especially not about Chance’s thing.”
I shake my head. And look at my husband who’s frozen in place, staring at me.
“I know I don’t even have my permit yet. But I’m already fourteen and you say all the time how the years go by so fast.”
“They do.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” Chance puts his hand up. “I don’t think that’s what your mother’s talking about.”
I offer a small, guilty smile.
Chance narrows his green eyes on me, “Are you saying you’re—“
“Pregnant.”
“Eww, Mom, really? Do you two have to go at it like rabbits?” Timmy asks, looking like I just vomited all over him. My son shivers, “I need to get some air and get the image of you two out of my head.”
“You’re pregnant?” Chance asks in disbelief.
I nod with an ear to ear smile. “I’ve been dying to tell you all day. I wanted this to be a surprise.”
“Are you sure?” He asks, pulling me against him.
“I haven’t gone to the doctor yet, but the test came back positive and I’m feeling pretty sick.
Chance’s eyes shine as he lifts me up and slides me down his body. “We’re having a baby?” He says, once my feet hit the ground.
“Yes!” I nod, excitement running like a drug through my veins.
“Hey everybody,” Chance yells to our guests, holding me close to his side. “I knocked her up again!”
The crowd cheers, the glasses clink, and I know I found my happily ever after.