EPILOGUE
“Jimmy, don’t drink that, it’s for grown-ups!” I ran up to my oldest child, scooping him up in my arms before he could grab a glass of champagne. I blew on his tummy, making him giggle wildly.
“Mommy!” He squealed, trying to squirm out of my arms. I let him go and
he looked at me with his father’s eyes.
I stared at him with my hand on my hip. “What are you doing in here anyway? I thought I told you to play outside.”
“I was hungry…”
“Lunch is almost ready.”
“But mommy…” He whined. I sighed, grabbing a banana from the fruit basket. I peeled it and handed it to him. “Try not to get too dirty!” He giggled, running out the door with the treat. I locked the door so he wouldn’t come back inside before I had everything prepared. I watched him through the French Doors as he joined some of the other kids. In an instant, he was rolling around in the grass, forgetting all about his half-eaten banana. Hungry, he said. I shook my head. Jimmy was always looking to stir trouble.
Turning my back on the door, I returned to my cooking. I opened the oven, checking on the cake I was baking. I pulled it out carefully and smiled as the whole kitchen filled up with a delicious chocolate smell. Grabbing the homemade icing from the fridge, I started generously coating the cake. Biting my lip, I focused on getting the icing perfect. Once it was smooth and even, I added the detailing. Small flowers lined the base before I added a bit of red food coloring, about to make a ladybug on top of the cake.
Just before I could finish writing Julianna’s name under the ladybug, Charles appeared behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist. I jumped, nearly messing up my creation. “Charles! Careful!”
He chuckled, kissing the side of my neck. I shivered in delight as his lips grazed my flesh, moving onto my earlobe. He tugged on it slightly, his hands roaming under my shirt, finding my chest. I couldn’t help the moan that escaped my lips. I blushed, pressing myself against his body, feeling a rush of excitement shooting up my spine.
“The cake looks great babe.” He finally pulled away.
“Aren’t you supposed to be outside with the kids?” I asked.
“Michael is on it. He’s a natural. Who knew?”
I shook my head. “The kids are probably using him as a human jungle gym.”
Charles shrugged. “He seems to be enjoying himself.”
“I can’t believe how close you two have gotten in the past year.” I commented, finishing the last little details on the cake, making sure it was perfect.
“It’s all thanks to you.” He kissed my cheek. “He’s a pretty nice guy when I’m not always trying to outdo him.”
“And yet everything is still a competition for you two. Just the other week, I remember you playing billiards until three in the morning.”
“He was cheating!”
“That’s what you always say.” I chuckled. “Anyway, since you’re here, make yourself useful.” I pointed to the tray of champagne. “I’m sure our guests are thirsty.”
“You become a successful businesswoman and you think you can boss me around?” He asked, raising an eyebrow in my direction.
“You got that right.” I winked, a grin on my face. “I’ll be out in just a second with the cake.”
He gave me one last kiss before he headed out with the drinks, greeting some of the guests. I was just about to grab the cake when I heard the doorbell go off. I wiped my hands on my apron, answering the door.
“Mackenzie!” My whole face lit up as I saw my best friend. “I’m so glad you could make it!”
“How could I deny a free ticket to Newport? This house is beautiful.” She said as she looked around, her eyes like jewels in her head. “How have you been? It’s been lonely without you on the farm.”
“Oh, I bet.” I chuckled. “How are the cows?”
“They’re doing very well. They’re steadily producing this new enzyme that might actually help people who are lactose intolerant. I’m working on the formula now.”
“Oh, that’s great! If you end up perfecting it, Julianna could really use some. I don’t think she likes almond milk all that much.”
“I don’t think many people do. Where’s the little birthday girl anyway?” She asked.
“She’s in the backyard, her dad should be taking care of her.”
Mackenzie punched the side of my arm. “So what’s it like being married to a billionaire?”
I blushed deeply. “Honestly… it’s been the best time of my life… everything is perfect.”
“Living in luxury must be nice too. Not that you need it. From what you told me, your website has been a huge success.”
I nodded, my bosom filling with pride as I thought about it. “Yes, we just recently doubled the team. We now have fashion experts ready to answer anyone’s questions.”
“Oh, and you take care of all of it yourself?”
“I do most of it, but any successful business person depends on a team. It took a long time for me to figure that out, but I’m finally starting to trust my employees instead of trying to do everything myself.”
She gripped my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re finally making a name for yourself. You must be really happy.”
I nodded and smiled. “I am. More than happy.”
“So, do you need help with anything?”
“No, we’re just about done.” I walked back into the kitchen, picking up the cake.
“Oh my god, Haley, did you make this yourself?”
“I did.”
“It’s great!” She squealed. “It looks professional.”
I blushed at her comment. She opened the door for me and I stepped onto the porch. Julianna was on her high chair, giggling as she played with some of her toys. Charles was sitting by her side, smiling at her. I could tell by the way his eyes glimmered any time that he looked at her that she was truly the apple of his eye. “How has she been? She hasn’t been fussy, has she?”
“She’s been great.” Charles said.
I placed the cake on the table before I introduced Mackenzie. “Charles, this is my old roommate from college, Mackenzie. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here today.”
“Oh, there’s no need to be so modest. Your hard work and grit got you here.”
“But you were the one that helped me when I was down.”
Charles held out his hand and smiled at her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Haley has said so much about you.”
“Has she?”
Before Charles could answer, Michael walked onto the porch, looking exhausted. “Those kids are a handful.” Jimmy was clinging to his leg. I chuckled, picking up my son and holding him in my arms.
“I told you.”
“And who’s this?” Makenzie asked, raising an eyebrow in Michael’s direction. I grinned. I could tell that she was attracted to the real estate genius. She had always been into the nerdy aesthetic.
“This is Michael. He’s a good friend of ours. He is actually the one that got us a great deal on the house.”
He smiled at Mackenzie and I saw her cheeks transform with blush.
“Name’s Mackenzie.” She introduced herself, getting a little bit closer to him.
“Can I get you a drink?” Michael asked, grabbing two glasses of champagne off the table. “Maybe we can take a walk around the estate.”
“I’d like that.” Mackenzie was instantly on his arm, disappearing with him.
“Well, those two hit it off well.” I chuckled to myself, leaning on the railing. Jimmy played with my hair, putting a crown on my head. I kissed his nose and he giggled. Charles joined me, Julianna in his arms.
“Very well, if you ask me. I haven’t seen Michael look at anyone like that since he saw you at the auction club.”
I shook my head. “Is that why you pounced on our conversation like a green-eyed monster?” I asked, teasing him.
“What did you expect? He was stepping into my territory.”
“I’m just glad we managed to make our amends. I’m glad that we are all friends now.”
“Me too.” He leaned over, kissing my cheek.
Jimmy shook his head, covering his eyes. I laughed and tickled him. He squirmed and managed to wiggle out of my arms. “Why don’t you go and tell everyone that it’s time for cake?” His eyes grew wide at the mention of cake. In a flash, he was running all over the estate, telling everyone cake, cake, cake.
Charles placed Julianna back in her chair before grabbing a glass of champagne. “Thank you everyone for celebrating this special moment with us. Our little girl turns one today. She’s growing up so fast, it’s hard to cherish all the little moments, but I know that Julianna will grow up to be an amazing woman, just like her mother.” He kissed me, his arm around my waist before he raised his glass in a toast. We drank to the health of our family before I grabbed the cake and placed it in front of Julianna.
She looked at it curiously, wondering what it was. Suddenly, she slammed her hand down on the cake, getting icing all over the place. Putting her fingers in her mouth, she tasted just how sweet it was. She giggled so hard that she started to hiccup. Everyone around us laughed at her charm, watching her.
Leaning against Charles’ chest, I could hear the beating of his heart. Jimmy nuzzled against my leg.
I smiled, knowing that from this moment forward my life could only get sweeter.
*****
THE END
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