Epilogue

Noella

“You ready?” Hegan asked, slipping the shirt over his head. A soft smile lifted across his face, eyes beaming as he looked me over.

“Yeah, I'm ready.” Reaching for the nightstand, I attempted to sit myself up. Grunting, I rolled back onto the bed. “I think I need a little help.” Chuckling, my stomach hurt as it bounced up and down.

His laughter couldn't be contained, I watched his chest rapidly rise as he tried to inhale between breaths. “It's a good thing I'm here, otherwise you'd be stuck.” Stepping to the edge of the bed, he held his hands out.

Wrapping my fingers around his palms, I squeezed tightly. Hegan's muscles formed beneath the short sleeves of his shirt. Rolling into a firm ball, the other muscles followed, contracting in a wave as he pulled me to my feet.

Trailing a finger down the center of his chest, it rode the steps of his abs back to his shoulders. “Thanks,” I said, leaning in and kissing his cheek softly.

“Anything for you and my little guy in there.” His hands fell to the large basketball resting under my sundress.

I was eight months pregnant, and ready to pop. And that day couldn't come soon enough. It was hot as hell out; the middle of August was not an easy month for a pregnant woman.

The week before we had gone grocery shopping, and I swear the hot flash that hit me was like nothing I ever felt before. Instantly sweat beaded up on my neck, my face turned a cherry red, and I found myself sitting in a cooler with the frozen vegetables.

Resting my hand on the small of my back, I made the attempt to look down at my feet. They were there at one time, I remembered having feet.

And ankles, and a vagina. Yes, my vagina, a sight I have long forgotten what it looked like. I couldn't wait to have this baby and finally see all of me again.

“God, I'm a whale.” Palming my belly, I turned sideways in the mirror. Jolting slightly, I gripped the edge of the dresser.

“Are you alright?” His eyes filled with concern, placing a hand on my back, he wrapped the other around my stomach.

“Yeah, yeah I'm fine,” I said, trying to push the air back into my lungs. “Jackson just gave me one hell of a kick. Maybe he didn't like my whale comment?” Smiling, I straightened my back, tugging my shoulders towards each other to stretch.

“Well, he's right. You're not a whale, you're beautiful.” Spinning me around, he looked right into my eyes. “The most beautiful thing I have seen in my life.” His thumbs ran down the line of my jaw, cupping under my neck.

Tilting into his hands, I looked up under hooded lids. “Really? Because I feel like a human host. Like my body's not my own anymore, it's been taken over.”

“Stop it. You're carrying my baby, and that in itself makes you more beautiful than you can ever imagine.” Pressing his lips against mine, he kissed me with such passion. I could feel him in my nerves, in my soul.

Hegan had been sent here for me to find, or rather for him to find me. Everything we had been through was worth it, all for this moment. The love of my life, holding me in his arms; made me feel like the most special person in the world.

And we were having a baby, a piece of both of us was going to be brought into this world. A little version of us.

I've been trying to guess what Jackson would look like. Would he have my eyes? Maybe Hegan's dimple in his chin? It was exciting to think that in no time at all he would be here, and I would have my answers.

“So, where are you taking me for lunch? I'm kind of in the mood for a cheeseburger.” Licking my lips, I opened my eyes wide. That had been my craving, burgers. I couldn't get enough of them. Well, burgers, and coffee cakes. I'm pretty sure I've eaten a pallet sized dose of coffee cakes these past three months.

I'd been warned the cravings would hit and they'd be unstoppable. Holy shit, my mom was right! I hadn't had a coffee cake since I was at least five, and now I couldn't get enough of them.

“What a surprise, a burger. Well, you're just going to have to wait and see, it's a surprise.” Winking, he slid my purse off the dresser and pulled it over my arm.

“Really? You're going to tease a pregnant woman?” Tisking, my head swayed side to side. “I don't know, Hegan. That might be a bad move on your part, the couch could end up being your bed for tonight.”

“Ha! Is that right?” His mouth hung open, cocked to the side in a huge smile.

“Yeah,” I said, nudging him in the ribs.

“I doubt it. You couldn't do that even if you really wanted too.”

“Oh yeah, and why's that?”

“Because, how the hell would you get up during the night if you had to pee? I wouldn't be right there to help you.” His eye brows lifted high. “Then you'd be in a wet mess.”

Smacking his chest, I laughed. “Gross!” Pursing my lips, I said, “Alright, fair enough. But if I don't get a burger now, that's what we're having for dinner.” Starting towards the door, I whipped around and rested my hand on his chest. “And breakfast.”

“Anything for you my love.” Nestling his head into my neck, he smothered me in small kisses.

The tickling of his lips forced my head to scrunch up to my shoulder. “Okay, okay. Let's go, baby is starving.”

Hegan helped me into the car, holding the door and making sure I was all set before he got into the driver seat. “Okay, now I told you lunch was a surprise. So, you need to put this on.” Holding out a deep blue sleep mask, it dangled from his finger.

“What?” Squinting my eyes, I smiled smugly. “Are you serious?”

“Yes I'm serious. I don't want you to see where we're going.” Flicking the mask back and forth over his finger, his face was filled with excitement.

What the hell does he have planned? A mask? That was one thing I found to love about Hegan. He was adventurous.

After that night on the boat, Hegan seemed to be a completely different person. It was like he looked at life in a whole new light. Finding out I was pregnant, I think it made him look at his father in different light too.

He started to understand that even though his dad's way of showing he cared wasn't conventional, or healthy; Brandon really just wanted him to strive for something. He wanted to see Hegan have goals in life, more than just partying and getting laid.

And I can say that Brandon also had a change of heart. He understood his son a little more, saw he was too cut throat with him, expecting Hegan to be just like he was. Brandon started to ease off him, he gave him the chance to find himself, and supported what he wanted to do.

Hegan, he wanted to race. He loved cars and driving fast, and now his dad was helping him get into the right training so he could hopefully turn that need for the rush into a career. It was amazing to see the one-eighty these two guys did. After that night, after Stefan.

It turned out that Brandon had a one night stint years ago, ten years before Hegan was born to be exact. Unbeknownst to him, the woman had gotten pregnant. But, after what Stefan pulled, he'll be spending the rest of his life behind bars. Aggravated kidnapping, attempted murder, that didn't get him the money he wanted, it got him locked up.

Tugging the mask off his fingers, I held it up. “This better be good.” Pulling the elastic, I placed the thick fabric over my eyes, and everything went black.

Listening to the rumble of the engine, I rolled my window down, and tried to see if I could figure out by the sounds outside, where exactly we were going.

“What are you doing? You better not be peeking under that mask.” I could only hear his voice, but I knew he was smiling.

“What? I'm trying to figure out where we're going.” Turning towards his voice, I honestly couldn't see a damn thing. Not even a glow from the bright summer sun seeped behind the mask.

“Is it working?” His laugh hit my ears as his fingers gripped my thigh.

Shaking slightly from the surprise of his touch, I twined my fingers into his. “No,” I said, pouting my lips.

“Well, we're almost there.” The blinker echoed off the dashboard, the sound of his hand dragged across the wheel as it turned. “Don't move, I'll get you out.”

Huffing under my breath, my stomach gurgled beneath the bright flower dress I was wearing. “You better hurry up before I decide to eat the headrest.” Placing my hands on my belly, I felt the baby kick against my palm. “Jackson said to hurry too.”

“Boy, he's pushy already,” Hegan said, as I heard him push his door open, and clunk shut.

Sitting with my hands folded against my lap, it seemed like having my vision gone made the world around me enhance. I could hear muffled voices outside my door, soft chuckles in the distance. But I still had no clue where we were.

The heat from outside burst into the vehicle as Hegan opened my door. “I hope this place has air conditioning. This heat is brutal.” Hegan took my hand, and I swung my legs out till my feet hit the pavement.

“Noella, I don't know of that many places that don't have central air nowadays. And trust me, I know you and the heat don't mix right now.”

A big smile formed across my lips, pulling up to my ears. “Aww, you do listen to me. I love you, Hegan.” The teasing tone playfully fueled my voice.

“I know you do, and I love you too. Hold my hand, I'll guide you inside.” His fingers wrapped inside mine, the other hand falling over my shoulder.

“I can't take this thing off yet? You know my eyes are starting to sweat.”

“You'll live, it's only a two minute walk.” Bracing my shoulder, he said, “Step up.”

Following every direction, I let him guide into the unknown building. The cool air wrapped around my body, soothing my boiling insides. Letting out a comforted exhale, I listened to my flip flops smack against the tile floor. Where are we? I wondered, hearing the music crackle through the speakers above my head.

It was my favorite singer, and she was singing my favorite song. Did he do this? I've never heard her before in a restaurant. Was this another piece to his surprise? It seemed ironic to me that he had brought me here, and that was the song I walked into.

Pressing his hand against my chest, he whispered into my ear. “Okay, you ready?”

Shaking my head yes, my hands started to clam up. Wiping them over my dress, Hegan slowly pulled the veil from my eyes.

My heart began to race, eyes welling up with tears. The mass of people before me all screamed. “Surprise!” The sounds of all their voices meshed into one massive baritone.

Holding my hands to my mouth, I stood speechless. Glancing around, the room was decorated in blue and white balloons. Large bouquets of deep blue flowers speckled with white sparkling spiral sticks sat on every table.

And there was my mother, standing proudly, gleaming with a glow I hadn't seen in years. She looked so happy, so excited to be there watching my face. Hegan had made me a promise at the mansion, a promise he stood true to.

And because of that, my mom was here, enjoying this moment. And I couldn't be thankful enough for that.

I tired to take it all in, spot every face in the crowd. Hegan's parents were off to the side, arms wrapped around each other. Brandon stood with closed smile, rubbing Stella's shoulders. And she had the warmest glow, eyes twinkling as she cupped her hands over her mouth.

They had accepted me, welcomed me into their world; even before they found out about the baby. Brandon was able to see how Hegan felt about me, I think his determination to protect me reminded Brandon of himself in a way. It might not have been towards the same goal, money; but it was filled with the same confidence and fire.

This was my baby shower, that was his surprise. A huge banner hung across the back wall, reading 'See you soon, Jackson!'

“Surprised?” Hegan said, curling his arms the best he could around my protruding stomach.

“You could say that, yeah.” Tightly I wriggled my fingers into his, letting my head fall back against his chest.

“Can you see the food table? I had to make special arrangements, but luckily it all came together nicely.”

Tipping up onto my toes, I looked beyond the people to a long table in the back. Stacks of cheeseburgers were piled on two large platters, coffee cakes on another. There were large punch bowls filled with orange juice; another thing I couldn't get enough of. And a bunch of other picky food items I had demanded over the past few months.

Salt and vinegar chips, pork rinds, a bit of everything I forced him to go out and get me. He had remembered them all and adorned the food table with them.

“Hegan, I can't believe you did this. It's amazing.” My hand ran up around his neck, fingertips twirling in his hair.

“All for you and our little man.” Gently he kissed my neck, the hot air sending chills down my spine. “I love you, and the life we're going to build together.”

Twisting my head, I looked into his eyes. Taking in the most amazing man I had ever met.

He brought my mom here, having her here with us meant everything to me. Life was turning out to be a good thing.

The life I had been leading turned in so many different directions, bringing me here.

With Hegan, with this baby, this life growing inside me...

It was meant to be. All of it.

Scars are what make our life worth living, they make you who you are.

Without them, life wouldn't be a story at all.

And this was my story.

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