Epilogue
Four years later…
“Liam Michael Hunter,” said the announcer.
Phil watched Liam confidently stroll across the stage to receive his diploma for completing kindergarten. As soon as he had the certificate in hand, he dropped down to one knee, pumping his fist in the air. The audience roared with laughter.
“Logan,” Lina whispered. “Did you tell him to do that?”
“No.” Logan laughed. “Matt did.”
“No, I didn’t.” Matt laughed.
“Did you get it?” Lina asked Phil. “Did you get a picture?”
“Yeah, baby,” Phil answered. “I videotaped him.”
“I can’t believe it,” she whispered. “He’s growing up.”
“I don’t know if five is growing up.” He stroked his hand down her back when he realized she was crying.
“You know what I mean.” She clutched Phil’s arm as she leaned against him. “And now he’s leaving.” He was spending the next month with Kim’s parents at their cabin in upstate New York.
“You have me and Logan.” Logan had just arrived home after completing his sophomore year at Duke where he was studying architecture. Although he’d been heavily recruited for lacrosse, he’d decided he didn’t love it enough to play in college. He’d ended his relationship with Tiffany the year before, breaking not only Tiffany’s heart but Lina’s as well. He’d told Phil he was too young to tie himself to one girl.
“It’s not the same. The house is going to be too quiet without him.”
“I’m sure Adele and William will let you borrow Elijah,” he teased. Adele’s son, who was now three, was notoriously energetic. He had only two speeds, tornado level and off.
“Be nice,” Lina said.
“I was serious.” He looked past Lina to where William was standing with Adele, holding a sleeping Elijah. It had taken a full two years, but Adele had finally forgiven him. She’d even asked him to give a toast at her wedding reception when she’d married William.
“I can’t believe she didn’t show,” Lina whispered.
“I can.” She was talking about Kim. Kim’s parents, who were standing in the row directly behind them, had said she’d planned to come. In the four years since Kim moved to New York she’d visited only twice, and on both occasions she’d had meetings in Washington. She had no real interest in Liam. Her parents came down regularly. Lina insisted they stay at the house so they could have quality time with Liam. They’d taken him to Disney World the year before for a week, but this would be the longest period of time Liam would be away from home.
Phil’s gaze shifted to Katie, who was staring down at her phone, no doubt responding to a tweet about Matt. She’d graduated a week earlier from the University of Maryland with a degree in philosophy. There had been times over the past couple of years when he’d wondered if she’d finish. Matt’s career had begun to take off. Katie handled all of his social media, which had become a full-time job. She’d persevered, though, managing to graduate with honors. They were leaving the following week for Europe, where Matt was playing to sold-out venues across Scotland and Ireland. They’d been dating six years. Katie had informed Phil a few days earlier that if she believed in marriage, she’d marry Matt. Of course, she didn’t believe in marriage because it was a man-made institution.
Phil’s gaze traveled over his family. He figured Liam was the only graduate with three pairs of grandparents in attendance. To Alice’s delight, she was Liam’s favorite. He spent a weekend a month with Lina’s parents, and Alice served as their on-call babysitter.
Megan, who was standing directly in front of them with her boyfriend, a medical student at the University of Chicago, had just completed her second year of law school at Northwestern.
Phil pressed his lips into the side of Lina’s head, tightening his arm around her. He was truly blessed.
After the final graduate walked across the stage, the guests filed out of the auditorium and into the main lobby, where refreshments were being served. Lina smiled when she saw Liam making a beeline to Logan, confirming her suspicion that he was the one who’d told Liam to drop to one knee when Logan gave him a high five.
He came to her next, pausing just long enough to let her kiss him before shoving his certificate at her. “Look, Mommy. It says my name.”
“It does. Why don’t I hold it for you? I’ll keep it safe.”
“I’m going to go play with Alex,” he said.
“Wait.” Phil clasped the lapel of his jacket before he could run off. “You need to thank everyone for coming.”
“Thank you for coming!” Liam yelled excitedly before bouncing away.
“Interior Design magazine is featuring your kitchen on the cover,” William said, stepping up to Lina.
“My kitchen?” Lina’s eyes widened.
“I just got the e-mail. The New York property. This is huge, Lina.”
“Oh my God.” She turned to Phil. “Did you hear that? My design.” Her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest.
“I heard.” He framed her face with his hands. “And I’m not surprised. Congratulations, baby,” he said before kissing her softly.