A DEAL FOR A LIFETIME

EPILOGUE

   

15 years later.

"Babe," I called, looking around the bathroom. "Have you seen my hairbrush?"

Rico glanced up from his book, a knowing smile on his face. "It's probably with Selena. She threw all her hairbrushes away because they weren't purple."

"That girl got your attitude," I said, referring to our 13-year-old daughter. We have three kids now—two girls and one boy. Selena and Sawyer have Rico's personality, but our little angel Annabel, who is just 3, has mine and even inherited my hair color.

"I'll get you another one," Rico offered, always quick to spoil our kids.

"You always spoil her," I said, shaking my head, though I couldn't help but smile.

"She's my girl," he said, chuckling before heading into the room to find my brush. Today, we were going to a wedding, Katherine's wedding. She finally found her Mr. Right, and at 23, I was overjoyed for her. Jasmine married Cole after college, and now they have two kids, 15 and 11. Life had moved on in such beautiful ways.

"Mama," Annabel called, walking into the bathroom with her big eyes wide with concern.

"Sweetie," I said, scooping her up into my arms.

"Dada is shouting at Sawyer," she said, her lower lip trembling.

"Sorry, baby. I'll go talk to him," I assured her, carrying her out of the bathroom. In the living room, Rico was scolding Sawyer, who looked irritated and defensive.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my gaze shifting between them.

"Ask him," Rico said, frustration evident in his voice.

Sawyer, giving me an angry stare, snapped, "You ask him! He's always shouting at me for no reason!" With that, he stormed out of the house.

"Anna, go find Selena and get some candy. Dada and Mama need to talk," I said, setting her down. She nodded and toddled off. Turning to Rico, I sighed, trying to calm the tension.

"We're supposed to be happy today. It's Katherine's wedding," I reminded him gently.

"Sometimes I feel like Sawyer doesn't like me," Rico said, his voice filled with a rare vulnerability.

"Don't say that. He's just going through that teenage phase," I reassured him.

"I found a f*king condom in his room," Rico said, his eyes wide with disbelief. "He's just 15!"

My eyes widened in shock. "Well, that's a reason to scold him. I'm guessing that's what your dad did when you were 15 too?"

"Yeah, but he also warned me to use it," Rico admitted.

"I just want him to be careful. He's growing up so fast. I can't believe he's old enough to have a girlfriend," Rico said, tears welling up in his eyes. I walked over and wrapped my arms around him.

"We'll teach him to be responsible. We don't want to be grandparents at 41," I whispered, trying to comfort him.

"Ewwwwwwwwwww!" Selena's voice broke the moment. Rico quickly pulled his hands away from my waist.

"What's a room for?" she asked, grinning mischievously. Rico rolled his eyes and walked over to her.

"You better not have a boyfriend until you're 25," he said, starting to walk upstairs.

"I already have a boyfriend!" Selena shouted, running out of the house before Rico could react.

"I have a boyfriend," Annabel chimed in, making both of us look at her in surprise.