As we walked outside, a content feeling settled over me.

This was the beginning of the rest of our lives.

EPILOGUE - HALEY

One Year Later

Wehadbeensettlinginto the new house for the last year, and everything was finally starting to feel like home. It had taken some time and moved slower than I would have liked, but we were finally settled and starting our lives as a family.

I had spent time getting copies of Trinity’s baby pictures made and hanging them in the halls. We had family portraits done, and those hung beside the baby pictures, bridging the gap in time when Tyson wasn’t in our lives.

There was laughter from the kitchen as more of our guests started filtering into the house, trays of food balanced in their arms. Trinity was busy playing near the Christmas tree with Corey’s son while Corey and his wife were passing around glasses of champagne.

My dad and Kirstie were carrying in more presents than one child could ever need while I looked around the living room, trying to find Leigh.

“Looking for me?” she asked as she appeared at my side with a bottle of water. “You’re looking a little lost.”

“I just have no clue where I’m supposed to be or what I’m supposed to be doing,” I said as I stepped to the side while some of our friends passed. “I feel like the hostess is supposed to be doing more.”

“Nobody cares what you’re doing. We’re all just happy to be here and celebrating with you.”

Camille grinned as she came over to us, teetering on her heels. She had been drinking wine since she arrived, claiming that she didn’t want to talk about her problems.

“Well, now that you’re both here,” Leigh said, grinning as she looked between us. “I’m pregnant.”

“No way!” Camille squealed, pulling her into a tight hug. “That’s so exciting. When are you due?”

“Not for another seven months. We just found out a few days ago.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling as I hugged her. “Trinity is going to be so excited to have a new little cousin.”

“I know!” Leigh grinned as Camille walked away, muttering something about needing more drinks to celebrate.

I watched Drew intercept her on the way to the kitchen. He wrapped an arm around her, whispering softly in her ear. Leigh and I exchanged a smirk before hugging again.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt.”

“Actually,” Leigh said with a small smile as she looped her arm through mine. “I was thinking that you could be the aunt and the godmother. Clarke thinks so too.”

“Of course!”

Leigh started talking about possible baby names as she led me through the kitchen and onto the back patio. Down below, lights had been strung through the trees, and several fire pits were burning brightly.

Trinity’s half-melted snowman was sitting by her treehouse, looking like it had seen better days. The carrot was sitting on the ground beside the snowman, and all the cucumber buttons had fallen off.

I leaned on the railing of the deck as Leigh stood beside me. Soft music started playing, and when I looked down, Tyson was walking into the backyard wearing a suit instead of the ugly Christmas sweater I had stuffed him into earlier.

Our friends and family formed a half-circle around the outside of the backyard, and Trinity came to stand beside Tyson.

“What is all of this?” I asked Leigh as snow began to fall around us. The stars were bright overhead, and there wasn’t a cloud to be seen.

“Why don’t we go down there and find out?”

Leigh grinned and took off to the stairs that led down to the backyard. I followed her, wiping my sweaty hands on my dress and feeling my heart pounding in my chest.

I looked around the yard at the people watching us. Both sets of our parents were there, grinning with tears in their eyes. Camille was nestled into Drew’s side, looking like she was another bottle of wine down. Leigh took her place beside Clarke, standing in front of him as his arms wrapped around her waist.

“Hales,” Tyson said as I stood in front of him. “How’s it going?”