Soulless

Epilogue

Lunden Thayer

She was so snuggly. It hadn't been a good habit we'd picked on. I came home from my two-month check-up to find Atlas asleep with her in the rocking chair. I knew this little girl had us wrapped around her finger.

He was in his clothes from lecturing earlier today. My favorite pair of lenses was over his eyes, and a navy polo was over his white shirt. His hair was disheveled and longer; I could now run my fingers through it.

It was a smoother transition with her in our lives. Aunt Kelly and Uncle Dean moved out here to take care of Josie. They lived down the road, and I fought her on it. I'd always be a Motherly figure to Josie, but she needed a full-time Mom.

Which is what I wanted to be, but with a new baby in the house, she deserved more attention than I could give her. They'd return to Boston at the end of the school year, and I wanted to beg Atlas to take us with them.

But Josie knew we'd never leave her; she appreciated that. Her and Aunt Kelly were almost over every day, and our family was finally coming together. But an unexpected surprise was Atlas's friends. Killian and Brimmy had shown up for a dinner a few weeks ago. They were shocked to see a baby in Atlas's arms, but as I said, Aleidha seems to steal everyone's hearts.

I reached for her snuggled in his arms, and as I slowly lifted her, Atlas's eyes opened. He frowned as I began to take her away and move her towards her crib, where she slept peacefully.

"This is why she's fussy at night and doesn't want to sleep without being held. I blame you!" As I speak, his arms wrapped around me, kissing the crook of my neck.

"But she's just so cute. I swear you should've seen her earlier attempting to stretch in her swaddle," his lips find mine as his hands run down my body.

"Don't make me jealous," I groaned, "she's too cute for her own good, and I just want to take her everywhere with me." He chuckled at my words, but I knew he fully understood where I was coming from.

It was truly beautiful to see the two of us grow together as parents. But also almost insane at the same time with how quickly your life changes. A year ago, I was mad at the man for spilling coffee on me and being an asshole in class. Now, I was in his arms, staring at our baby.

"I have something for you," he says and lets go of me. He looks over to the crib and then glances back at me. His hand slips into his pocket, and before I can think, he's down on one knee.

"You know, I had this whole big plan and speech prepared... but I felt that that's not us. I thought about a big wedding but... I don't want to wait to marry you. But unless that's what you'd like. The words aren't coming out as planned, and I might just be a fool, but I love you so much. You are my absolute world, Lunden, and you saved me. I mean getting to love you and our little Aleidha. I don't know what I did to deserve this. I don't know much, but I know that I love you," He pauses.

Oh my god, this is it. This is the moment when Atlas Thayer asks me to be his wife. I didn't see it coming, and I never really pushed him about it. We were two people in love who shared a life together and that was enough, but this felt right. I knew I wanted to marry him.

"Lunden Victoria Evergreen, will you marry me?" I can't even speak, so instead, my arms wrap around him as I nod my head in emotion.

"Really?" he asks, almost in shock. I understand why. He knew I wasn't someone you'd easily get down the aisle with. If someone asked me a year or two ago, I'd say you'd have to drag me down.