Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
A gasp escapes me as I tip the object into my hand. Wrapped in plastic for obvious reasons, it’s a pregnancy test. Positive. A smiley face. I spin in a circle, my heart pounding, happiness expanding inside me. Hiding behind a metal statue of a woman, I spot my Callie, a big grin on her face.
I walk quickly across the plaza, Emery at my side. Callie makes squeaks as I sweep her into my arms, kissing her deeply.
“What is it, Callie? Daddy?”
Callie places her fingers on my lips. She gives me a look, then takes the envelope from my hand and reaches inside, taking out a small voucher. “It’s a book voucher for you, Emery.”
Emery beams, clutching it to her chest. “Yippee! Can we pick some out soon?”
“We sure can.”
As Emery looks at the voucher, Callie whispers in my ear, “I wanted to make it special. But maybe we should wait until we tell her.”
I kiss her on the cheek, wrapping my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me. “You always think of everything, Callie. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
Epilogue
Callie
Eight Years Later
I stand at the rear window, watching as Emery pushes Mona on the swing. Mona giggles and throws her hands up. She looks so similar to Emery at that age but with touches of me and hints of Mom and Dad.
Behind me, Mom and Sloane talk about the recent Met Gala. Sometimes, in this magical life of ours, I feel like I have to pinch myself. It took some time, but Josh Taylor’s day finally came. After one too many crimes committed, his cult was disbanded, and he was sent to jail, where he will hopefully spend the rest of his life. Mom is free of that place, that evil man is in prison—I won’t even say his name anymore—and Sloane, free from her addiction, is on a journey of seeking forgiveness and dedicating herself to doing good in the world. They sit at the kitchen table of my family home, casually talking.
Mom stops when she sees me looking. “Is everything okay, Callie?”
“Pregnancy hormones,” I say, wiping my cheek. “And, well, just—look at us, look at this life. It’s amazing. It’s a miracle.”
“You’re the miracle,” Gray says, walking in with Wes and Dad.
“How was the game?” I ask, taking my husband’s hand. He’s only grown more handsome as the years have passed, his hair deepening to an even more beautiful silver.
“Your dad’s team won,” Wes grumbles, picking up an apple and munching on it.
“As usual,” Dad quips, winking at me.
“How are the munchkins?” Gray asks, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and looking out the window.
I turn with him, his hand on my waist. We don’t have to worry about any awkwardness with Sloane. All that nasty stuff is so long ago that it feels like ancient history. It’s worked its way into the tapestry of our lives, becoming a distant event, then an anecdote, and finally, a footnote, an afterthought.
“Emery’s being the best sister ever, as usual,” I say, hearing Mona’s carefree laugh. Emery is growing into a tall, pretty young lady, her hair deepening to a darker color, her eyes never losing their precocious shine.
She sees us looking and clasps her hands to her chest, then points at Mona.
“We’re so blessed,” I whisper.
“The most blessed,” Gray agrees, leaning over and kissing me on the cheek.
THE END