Epilogue
Nine Months Later
“Jonah.” Sarah bounced him in her arms and cooed at our son during Sunday dinner. He was all she had eyes for.
Jonah. I smiled to myself thinking about his name and Peter’s chart of all the bible names and their meanings. He campaigned hard for Jonah, which meant dove and represented peace. Looking at Sarah holding our son made me think we had chosen well. Jonah had not only brought peace to our family, but to me personally. I no longer wondered what kind of mother I would be. I knew now I was a fierce one. My every thought had him in it. My love for him was amazing and overwhelming all at the same time. It was like loving his father. And to watch Peter love him only made my love grow for both.
Jonah stretched his tiny six-week-old body and everyone at the table reacted as if it was the most adorable thing they had ever seen, even my nephews. He was the cutest baby boy to grace the planet with his red hair that had a life its own, sticking up in random places on his head, and Peter’s green eyes.
“He’s gained some weight since last week,” Sarah commented without taking her eyes off him.
I would think so. I felt like I constantly nursed him. That wasn’t a complaint, but I had no idea something so little could eat so much.
“Let me hold him, Ma.” Sam held her arms out waiting, while Reed took the opportunity to rub his own baby—due in two months, right in the heart of football season. Sam wasn’t thrilled about the timing, but she was more than excited to be having a little girl, even if she thought she was too old to have a baby. Her posts about being pregnant in her forties were hilarious as she delighted her readers with tales of hemorrhoids, heartburn, swollen boobs, and her desire for more sex.
Sarah reluctantly gave him up, but not before smothering him in kisses. I hated to admit it sometimes, but she was all I hoped a grandmother would be for our baby. I had to remind myself often that she was trying, and she had changed. No longer did she scowl at me, instead she smiled. She even offered to help teach me to cook. I hadn’t taken her up on it yet, but I had feeling I should, for the sake of Jonah, at least.
Avery looked longingly at Jonah, and as happy as she was for us, I think the new additions acutely reminded her that Hannah wasn’t here. James too had become more melancholy the last few months; his phone now was more of a focus than the people around him. Peter and I wished we knew what to do to help, but neither were willing to talk.
Avery put on a brave front and smiled. “When is Xaria coming again?”
I smiled, thinking of my daughter and son finally meeting. “She’ll arrive next week with Henry and Anna.”
“She must be excited.” Avery was keeping up her act.
“She is. She plans to teach him how to read when she gets here.”
Everyone laughed. But she was so smart, I wouldn’t put it past her abilities. I just wanted her in my arms once more. I hadn’t seen her since spring break when we finally told the world about her. On my own terms, I posted about her with her parents’ permission. It was a one-time deal with no other comment from me. The press had been relentlessly trying to find out who her birth father was, but the records were sealed, and Blair had never come forward. It was the only decent thing he had ever done for me, for her.
“They are all invited here for dinner next week,” Joseph added in.
Peter put his arm around me. “That would be great, Dad.”
Mimsy, in her usual fashion, started handing out money to the grandsons, including ours. She handed a ten-dollar bill to me. “This is for Jonah; don’t you go spending it.”
Instead of rolling my eyes, I took the money graciously. “Thank you. I’ll put it in his account.” I called it the Mimsy account. I felt bad taking her money, but she would never take it back. At least she wasn’t giving it to felons anymore. Her boyfriend was now serving time, though to Dad’s dismay, she was still living with them.
“How’s your new book coming?” Sam asked while gazing at my son with a huge smile.
“I’ve hardly had a moment to work on it since he’s been born. Nighttime is party time for him.”
“Are you keeping your mommy up?” Sam asked Jonah in a sing-song voice. “I need to know what happens to Jules and Maxwell. I can’t believe you left them stranded at the Cape of Good Hope in the last book.”
“Speaking of your book.” Peter pulled out his phone with a mischievous grin. “Let’s check to see where Belonging ended up this week.”
I covered my eyes. “I can’t look.”
“Why? It was so good. Maybe even better than Black Confessions,” Avery reluctantly admitted.
“Honestly,” Sam chimed in. “My ice maker is broken again, thanks to you. Maxwell’s English accent and manners are hot.”
“Mom. Disgusting.” Cody jumped up and fled, along with Jimmy and Matt.
I peeked at Peter, who was staring at his phone with a solemn expression. He stood up without saying a word, making me more nervous. He put his phone in his pocket and picked up our son. I was honestly surprised he hadn’t taken him back earlier. Peter, like me, was addicted to holding him. He kissed our baby’s head. “I think you better give your mommy the news.”
I knew it. I knew it wouldn’t live up to Hunter Black even though the words seemed to flow right out of me. Like the love that was growing inside me somehow manifested itself on the pages. Joan and Chad had even thought it was my best work, but I guess it didn’t translate to my fans. I was a little surprised, since pre-sale numbers were good, and it had received some amazing reviews from the big names in the industry. No reviews from Grace, though, who had oddly disappeared. I evil-laughed in my head thinking about it. Joan had even mentioned how pleased her fiancé was over the projected sales this week.
Peter was back by my side as we all waited on bated breath. He placed our son in my arms and suddenly I didn’t care if Belongings was the worst selling book in the history of books. I knew where we all belonged, and that’s all that mattered.
Peter rested his phone on Jonah and I swore my son smiled, and not from gas. Peter stroked Jonah’s baby soft head. “Tell her, son. Tell your mommy she’s number one again.”
I looked up and met Peter’s eyes. “Are you serious?”
He pressed his lips against mine. “Congratulations, baby.”
Before I could comprehend it all, the strangest thing happened.
“I’m proud of you, Delanie,” rang through the table from the most unexpected voice.
Every head turned toward Sarah, but only she and I connected.
“I loved the book,” she said simply.
“Thank you.”
Sarah said not another word on that subject but stood. “Who wants dessert?”
I’m not sure how everyone around me answered that question; I was in shock.
Peter kissed my head and whispered, “See, I told you she would love you.”
“You never mentioned it would take five years.”
He gave me a heart-melting smile. “I never said it wouldn’t.”