Page 117 of The Last Thing
“How long do you think it’ll be before Soph starts coming up with names?”
Hallie laughs. “I’m sure she has ideas. But I’ve already got one picked out.”
I turn to her. “Oh, really?”
“I think we should name her Veranda.”
I stop moving, staring at her, trying to keep my face neutral because… I don’t think she’s kidding.
“I…”
The sound of her laughter sends relief washing over me.
“Oh my gosh. You actually thought I was serious?”
I pull her tighter to my side and keep walking. “I never know what kind of crazy ideas you’re going to come up with.”
She shakes her head.
“No,Deck. I do not want to name our baby Veranda. I’m not going to name her after a stuffed rabbit.”
“Becausethatwould be crazy.”
“Exactly.”
She stops and looks up at me, eyes serious.
“Hope.”
“Hope what?”
“I think we should name her Hope. When I was in the emergency room, you said your dad would’ve told you to have hope. That word kept coming back to me. I think we should name her that in honor of your dad.”
Her words sock me right in the chest. Yeah, my dad would’ve wanted that. He would’velovedthat. I sweep my hand throughher hair, wondering yet again how the fuck I possibly got this lucky.
Dad, if you had anything to do with this… thank you.
“My dad would love that. I love that.” Gently, I press my lips to hers. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We start walking again, the cold December air rushing around us as we walk outside.
“Plus, I think Hope Patio is a beautiful name.”
I laugh and tug on her hair, shaking my head.
“Whatever you say, Hellion. Whatever you say.”
EPILOGUE
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Wilson
“Breathe deep, now let it out.”Frannie’s calming voice reverberates around the room.
“That doesn’t fucking help,” Hallie growls.
