Epilogue
Five years later…
“Okay, one more song, and then it’s sleepy time,” Griff said rather unconvincingly to their four-year-old twin girls.
Christina refrained from rolling her eyes as Griff launched into the girls’ favorite song from a grating cartoon movie about fairies. He’d made bedtime a never-ending event with his minimum repertoire of three songs each, and she loved every minute of it. The only bad thing was when he had a gig past the girls’ bedtime, because mom’s voice just wouldn’t do.
The girls, Willow and Rose, were enthralled, sitting up in their shared queen-size bed, looking wide awake as they joined their dad for the chorus about plucking the petals and counting them in hopes of love. They had their dad’s tender, soulful side. The girls weren’t identical, but they both had their dad’s black hair and her blue eyes. They were the most beautiful children on the planet, if you asked her.
She and Griff had married quietly, secretly, back in New York shortly after their trip to Hope Falls. Griff had shocked the hell out of her with his own vows that spelled out his dedication to her and any children they might have. He’d given it way more thought than she had, and he’d carried through on every promise. Griff cut back on concert dates, performing only in the Northeast during the school year. Though the girls were just in preschool, he wanted to be there after school. He wanted to be involved. The summer was for touring, and the girls traveled everywhere with them. Griff started them on piano lessons this year, and next year they both would receive their first guitar for their fifth birthday.
The hideously saccharine song finally ended.
“More, more,” the girls chanted in unison.
Griff turned to her. “You want to sing the one about the dragons?”
“Mommy’s songs hurt my ears!” Willow cried.
Rose clapped her hands over her ears. “Yeah!”
“I’ll tell them a story,” Christina said. “But you have to lie down, eyes closed. It’s getting late.”
“But Daddy says we live in the city that never sleeps,” Rose said. They had a two-story Manhattan apartment with two bodyguards, one for each child (at Griff’s insistence). They also had a vacation home in Hope Falls that Kelly lived in and looked after for them when they weren’t there. Griff had put a recording studio in upstairs, where Kelly often worked, composing original music. She’d gotten songwriting credits on Griff’s last two albums.
She shot Griff a look, who merely smiled and ruffled Rose’s hair. “That’s what the city is for grown-ups,” she said firmly, “but if kids never slept, they’d never grow. All your growing happens when you sleep.”
Rose immediately closed her eyes. Willow didn’t. “I don’t want to grow up,” she announced.
“I don’t want you to grow up either,” Griff said. “But you do need to sleep. Last story.”
She told them their favorite story about how she and their daddy met, how they fell in love, and through music and the power of love got the ultimate gift of all—the two best children in the world. Of course, that always led to a chorus of:
“You’re the best mommy in the world.”
“You’re the best daddy in the world.”
To which they replied, “Thank you” and slowly backed out of the room while the girls launched into their usual argument with each other:
“I’m the best girl.”
“No, I’m the best girl.”
Which finally ended when Christina turned off the light and announced in a no-nonsense tone, “Everyone’s the best. Now go to sleep.”
The girls got quiet. Griff took her hand and led her downstairs. She settled on the sofa next to him and curled up against his side as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m exhausted.”
Griff kissed her temple. “Let’s have another one.”
She flopped down in his lap, playing dead.
“No?” he asked, running his warm hand through her hair.
“I’m too old,” she said.
“We’ll adopt.”
Her eyes flew open. “Really?” There were so many children in the world that needed a good home. They had the means and the love to provide that.
He grinned. “Really.”
She sat up, suddenly energized. “We’ll need to hire help.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
She threw her arms around him and kissed him. Things heated up quickly right there on the sofa, which was how they ended up with their first son nine months later. Two more kids followed soon after, a boy and a girl, both adopted. Every one of them raised with music and convinced they were the best children in the world.
~ ~ ~
Kelly went to work for her usual shift at Sue Ann’s Café that summer, looking forward to when her brother and his family came through town again. She didn’t need the money from waitressing anymore, but she still worked there part time for the inspiration. The people of Hope Falls kept her grounded, reminded her of her history, and overhearing their conversations and watching their expressions fed her artist’s soul.
She’d racked up several songwriting credits as word got out about her part in Griffin’s albums. She kept in touch with Jake too, from Griffin’s old band, chatting over the phone about music and playing new pieces for him by Skype. They didn’t live near each other, but he planned a visit next month. He’d just gotten out of a long relationship. She didn’t know what that meant for her, but she held onto a little bit of hope.
And then a song came on the radio that stopped her in her tracks. It was her latest for Griffin about family, inspired by his growing family, and it was finally getting airtime.
“Here’s a new one from Griffin Huntley,” the DJ crooned. “Tell me if it doesn’t give you all of the feels.”
She clapped a hand over her mouth and stood frozen in place. Hearing her brother perform her music never got old. The café quieted down and Sue Ann came out to listen. Her boss and friend smiled and pointed at her. Kelly nodded.
And when the song finished, Sue Ann announced, “The very talented Kelly King will perform that song just for us Saturday seven o’clock sharp.” This was not all that surprising. Every time a new song of hers hit the air, Sue Ann wanted to celebrate with a special performance followed by a homemade chocolate cake with white iced music notes dancing across the top. Sue Ann turned to her. “Don’t worry, hon. I’ll take care of everything.”
Kelly couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll be there.”
And then she went back to work, secretly soaking in the community that was the beating heart of her music.
~ ~ ~
To see how Griffin and Christina’s story began, along with Christina’s brother’s happy ever after, check out (Clover Park STUDS series), where Griffin is the “villain.” Griffin and Christina also appear in (Clover Park series).
For more of the Clover Park gang, check out the Clover Park series starting with book #1, .
Click to see