pilogue

Six months later

“Daddy! We’re over here!” Lucy and Molly waved to Buddy from the corner of a large table that stretched the entire length of Foley’s enclosed porch. “We saved you a seat.”

“Perfect spot—right between my two girls.” Buddy sat down in the offered chair and gave both Molly and Lucy a peck on the cheek. “How was your day? You two ready for spring break?”

“Yes!” Lucy squealed, while Molly’s “yes” sounded exhausted.

“Oh, we talked to Nat today,” Lucy babbled on as she worked on a half-colored page.

Buddy picked up a colored pencil but before he put the pencil to the paper, Lucy stopped him.

“Daddy, this is warm-toned picture, that means it’s only yellow, orange, and red.”

“Oh, sorry.” He selected a different pencil, and after Lucy gave her affirmation that the color was appropriate, he began coloring. “Oh, what is Nat up to?”

Lucy recapped the adventures of her mother the movie star, and once again considered himself blessed that Nat seemed to be thriving in her new life, and more importantly, readily accepted Molly’s place in Lucy’s life. They–Lucy, Molly, and Buddy–joined Nat in London of all places for the New Year Holiday, and in addition to having a lot of fun, they’d strengthened their family ties.

“Oh, god,” Molly groaned.

“Sweetheart, do you want me to get you something to drink?” Buddy clucked his tongue and stroked her hair. Molly’s morning sickness was more like an all-day barf-fest, and right now, she was looking rather peaked.

Molly pressed her lips together and nodded her head, just Meghan slid a glass of fizzy drink in front of her. “Ginger limeade for you, Molly, courtesy of our new bartender.” Molly took a cautious sip of the drink, and when the ginger ale didn’t come back up, she slumped back in her chair and grinned at Meghan.

“And for Miss Lucy, Cal’s prepared a very special galaxy slushie for you to try.” Buddy laughed in delight at Lucy’s shocked face after Meghan set a glass of swirling liquid in front of the girl. Meghan seemed pleased with both of their reactions. “Is there anything I can get you? Buddy?”

Lucy and Molly were enraptured by their drinks, and Buddy shook his head. “We’re good, Meghan. I’ll come up to the bar if I need something.”

Meghan nodded and went back into the main restaurant, dodging a racing Maude, who came to a screeching halt when she saw Lucy’s drink. “Whoa!”

“Dear God, it’s a glitter drink.” Colin shook his head. “Great. Just what we need.”

Bailey swatted her husband. “Oh, don’t be such a grouch. You know you love glitter.”

“I most certainly do not. I swear I’m still finding glitter in places that I definitely didn’t put it, after that Halloween fiasco. No comments from the peanut gallery, Thomas.”

“Wasn’t gonna,” Buddy said with a snicker.

Fighters on the DS Fight Club roster slowly trickled in, and soon the entire team and their families were gathered at the table.

Colin clinked his knife on the edge of his glass, and the patio quieted. He cleared his throat and began speaking.

“Okay, well, you know this isn’t really my thing, this ‘making speeches’ business, but sometimes it needs to be done. People, we have a whole lot to celebrate right now. Lots and lots of changes to DS Fight Club. We have the first official member of the women’s featherweight division, Bridget Doherty.” He gestured at the woman from Southie, who inclined her head and gave a shy grin, blushing when a burly fellow next to her kissed her on the cheek. Colin shook his head. “Nolan, you can wait to play grab-ass—”

“Colin, language, please.” Bailey shot her husband a stern look.

The big former champion grimaced at his wife, prompting snickers from several of the fighters. “Babydoll, let me get through this.” Bailey arched an eyebrow at him but then gave him a little secret smile. He grinned at her and continued, despite the chuckling and hooting of the people around the table.

“We’ve got not one, not two, but three title fights coming up. Pierce is defending his heavyweight belt for the second time. Tig’s going into his third title defense at featherweight. And Dig is gonna show the light heavyweights how the big boys play. And speaking of Dig, we all need to congratulate him and his lovely wife on their, uh . . .” Colin faltered, seemingly trying to find the right phrase.

“Knocked up, what what!” Nanda shimmied in her chair. “Baby Dig on the way!”

The room erupted in whoops and cheers, but Colin’s voice rose above the clamor. “Okay, one more, y’all. One more. We all know we couldn’t have survived Future Cage Legends without his mad matchmaking skills. He’s Bailey’s big brother, and the father of yet another DS Fight Club daughter and another on the way”—more chuckling from the group, as there had yet to be a DS Fight Club son— “he’s our matchmaker, Buddy Thomas.”

“That’s you, Daddy,” Lucy stage-whispered, beaming.

“I know, sweet pea,” Buddy whispered back.

“So let’s raise our glasses to each other and celebrate a job well done.” Everyone raised their glasses and “Sláinte,” “Salud,” and “Cheers” rang through the air. Colin banged on his glass again, and people settled down, but not as completely or as quietly as before. “One last thing, y’all: get ready for a major shit show when Future Cage Legends premiers in a few weeks, because I feel like it’s gonna be a wild-ass ride.”

“Colin!” Bailey covered her face with her hands.

“I’m gonna shut up now because I can’t stop cussing, but I want you to know, y’all are awesome, and I . . .” Colin licked his lips, and the room held its collective breath. “Man, I have so much respect for every fucking one of you, and I am blessed to work with such a fantastic group of people.” He blew out a breath. “So let’s celebrate tonight, because most of these sumbitches are going to have to start cutting weight soon. Cheers, y’all!”

Colin sat down, and Buddy watched him grab Bailey and kiss her soundly. She looked stunned afterward, and Colin just shrugged. Buddy had to laugh.

“You good, Buddy?” Molly squeezed his hand.

“Oh yeah, babe, I am perfect.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The End