Room Mates

epilogue

15 years later***

   "Sweetheart, Steph and Daniel are here with the crew."

  "Alright, I'll be out in a minute."

  "Ok." We hang up the phone.

  I finish loading the dryer. Then I go outside to greet my sister and her family. They are all spilling out of the suv. They come twice a year.

  This time they are staying for almost a month. Mallory will leave here a married woman. But she won't be going far. Just a few miles away.

  She has turned into a beautiful and smart woman. She has spent every summer here working with the horses. She is a wonderful trainer for cutting and barrel racing horses. That is how she met her groom. Matthew Smith lives on his family's ranch and they have bought several horses that Mallory trained.

  Trevor and I have four kids. Dalton is our oldest at fifteen. Adrianna is twelve. Tyson is ten. And Garrett is eight. We were supposed to have another who was planned. The cervical cancer took that option away from us. But I'm healthy now, and have my husband and children. Life is good!

  Mallory is the oldest of three. Danny is sixteen, and Ashlyn is almost thirteen.

   We do our greeting and settle on the front porch after they get settled in the cabin that we had built for them.

  "So I heard from Micheal yesterday. He said that father owes him money. He was hinting that we loan him the cash. I laughed at him and told him to join the club. Father owes everyone." Steph said.

  "Yep! Apparently even taking him to court doesn't get your money back. But he hasn't borrowed money from us. Although he has tried several times."

  "He didn't borrow money from us either. He just wrecked our car." Daniel added.

  "Then wonders why they can't see the kids. I don't want their poor judgment to hurt my kids. The only good decision they have ever made was to stop having kids." Steph added.

  "They filed for bankruptcy last week. He is actually using my partner as his attorney!" Daniel told us.

  "That's low. But I'm not surprised at all. Anyone who can live with himself for trying to talk their grandkids out of their scholarship money, will do anything for money." I tell them.

  "Yes, well. On to better subjects. Where is my daughter?"

   "Coming up the road now." Trevor pointed toward the cloud of dust billowing behind a red dodge ram pick-up.

  "Why is he driving so fast? Are they late or something?" Steph asks.

  "That is your daughter driving. She always drives like that when she has to use the bathroom or in a hurry." Trevor volunteered.

  "Good grief! Daniel, talk to your daughter!"

  "A moment ago, Lori was your daughter. Now she's mine?"

  "Well my child wouldn't drive like that!" We laughed as Mallory pulled to a stop.

  "Mom! Dad! I was hoping to be here when you came." She hugged them then turned to her siblings and hugged them. "Hey, little ones!"

  "Whatever!" Danny replied. After all, he is around six inches taller than Mallory.

  We talked until I needed to start dinner. Steph and Ashlyn help. Matthew showed up just before dinner.

  Three weeks flew by quickly, with us preparing for the wedding.

  "Buttercup! You look so beautiful! I am so proud of the amazing young lady that you have grown into!! We wish you all the best that life and love has to offer. We all love you!" I hug my niece tightly as she lets a few tears leak.