Epilogue
As Claire flipped through the pages of a wedding magazine, her sister was busy getting the tour of her new abode by the best tour guide available— Claire’s fiancé and long-time lover, Matthew Reynolds. It had been some months that she moved into her boyfriend’s house, and not long after, the man had proposed. Courtney had offered to help plan the wedding, but Claire wasn’t too surprised that her sister seemed too enchanted with Matthew to focus on the details for the time being. After all, him being so enchanting was part of the reason Claire was marrying him, after all.
“And this is going to be little Clark’s room,” he announced grandly from upstairs, and Claire rolled her eyes before calling out an unrequested answer.
“Little Clarice, you mean,” she barked out. Matthew rumbled a laugh in response, leading Courtney back downstairs.
“Yes, yes. Whatever you say, dear,” he said cheerfully. Courtney approached Claire, parting her lips as if to launch into some spiel about the wedding they were preparing for. However, the alarm on her watch began to beep and she interrupted her own speech with a loud curse.
“Shit, I’ve got to go. Marco is taking me out to dinner tonight, it completely slipped my mind. I swear you two, you gotta work to keep the romance once you tie the knot,” Courtney said, as if divulging some great secret. Claire and Matthew exchanged a look, managing to stifle their own laughter.
“Oh, I’m sure. We can work on the wedding plans some more tomorrow, if you and Marco aren’t trying to catch up on the baby count,” Claire drawled. Courtney groaned melodramatically as she stalked to the door, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
“It’s not fair! We’ve been trying for months. What’s your secret, Matthew? Some special position? Maybe you can give Marco some advice,” she rambled, not catching the look the two lovebirds were exchanging.
“We’ll see you later, Courtney. Have fun,” Claire called out dismissively. Matthew shut the door behind his sister in law, let out a long sigh once they were alone in their home. “Jesus, the whole time she was here, we didn’t get anything planned. I thought that was point of her coming by,” Claire grumbled, flipping through the same wedding magazine she had been looking at all day.
“Well, there’s plenty of time. You did say you would have to give your brother a chance to find a date,” Matthew grinned, and Claire guffawed in response.
“Oh god, yes. I’d forgotten. She’s finally off my back after all these years, and she’ll have to bother him now. Poor guy,” she smirked. Matthew sank onto the couch beside her, reaching out to press his palm to her stomach. She smiled at the man she loved, jolting as the baby kicked. Matthew’s eyes widened in shock, and he swept her into his arms for a tender kiss.
“At the very least, maybe he won’t have the same bright idea you did,” he grinned against her lips, chuckling as she drew away with an obvious pout.
“What, you don’t like our results?” She inquired, burying her face in his neck and breathing a content sigh.
“Well, it was a long road to get here,” Matthew murmured. She nodded her agreement, resting her hand atop her own stomach. “I certainly hope little Clark has his mother’s nerve. I never would have acted on my feelings if you hadn’t given me that little kick in the ass,” he smirked, grinning cheekily as she drew away to face him.
“I hope little Clarice has more sense than her mother at the very least. Losing my virginity in a gym locker room… god,” she snickered.
“Well, perhaps a bit more sense. But I mean it when I say I hope that our child has your bold personality,” Matthew muttered, messing up her hair a bit.
“Is there any chance our child will ever doubt themselves?” She teased, and he seemed to consider her words for a long moment. “Matthew, I’m serious!” She giggled as he hummed thoughtfully for effect.
“Okay, okay. You’re right. They’ll be the smuggest little shit on the planet. But they’ll be our smug little shit, just like you’re my smug little shit,” he grinned. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you, Claire,” he smiled, leaning in to press a kiss to her stomach. “And I love you too, Clark,” he murmured.
“I love you too. And so does Clarice,” Claire said with a wry grin. He gave her stomach an affectionate little rub, allowing her to lean in and rest against him. “Seriously though… you don’t think my brother will try to pay someone to date him, do you? Could you imagine?” Claire muttered, and Matthew snorted for a moment before bursting into riotous laughter.
“Actually, yes. I could imagine,” he said slyly. She narrowed her eyes at him, giving him a little shove.
“At least I didn’t have to pay you!” She blurted, a flush creeping across her cheeks.
“Small blessings,” Matthew snickered. Claire rolled her eyes, settling against his chest and listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat.
Small blessings? No. What had resulted from their little game had been the largest blessing of all. They had found love. What more could one ask for?
THE END