Sins of the Flesh

Epilogue Caleb

2 years later

It was a scandal at first. But after a while, people showed less interest in the gossip. Ally married John a month after our divorce, and at that point, it was hard to tell what people were more scandalized by. I think She did it so quickly to pull the focus off Cole and me. She is an incredible woman.

No one supports us more than Ally except, surprisingly, Cole's mother, Mrs. Abbot. Well, now she wants me to call her Emma or Mom. She told me that once she recognized the looks in our eyes when we looked at each other, she knew what it meant. She didn't explain beyond that, but reading between the lines didn't take much.

"Father, another great sermon!" Ms. Ashton beams at me. I smile warmly in response. Ms. Ashton walks away as Ally and her husband, John, approach me. Ally hugs me. "Great job," I smile. "Honestly, Caleb, the fact that you can do this every week and always give something fresh and insightful is incredible," John laments. Ally beams at him. Seeing her happy in this way fills me with joy.

"C'mon, don't hog the old man," Josh says, standing beside his mother. "I'll give you old," I say with a pretend threat. Josh laughs. "Seriously though, Dad, I have missed your sermons. I know, crazy, right?" I give him a one-arm hug, patting his back.

Ashley waddles up beside her brother, holding her husband's hand. "Make way for the whale, you land lovers," she says, swaying her hand back and forth. We all laugh at eight months pregnant with twins. It is nice to know her sense of humor is still intact. "Any day now, grandbabies," I say, rubbing her swollen belly before hugging her.

"Oh, are we doing family time?!" Coles's mother wriggles her way near Ashley. Emma's boyfriend steps in beside her, smiling kindly, and shakes my hand. Cole steps up to my side and then hugs his mom. "How's the new house guys?" Cole asks them. "We are settling in fine." She smiles.

Cole moved in with me six months ago when his mom announced that she and Mr. Garrison from next door were getting a house together. Cole wanted to stay with his mom to help her financially, so when this came about, he was ecstatic. He would always love his childhood home and all its good memories. But it was time for something new for him and his mother.

After church, we all sit down to our usual monthly Sunday dinner. Everyone bringing a dish. We all fill our plates and gather around the table—Ally and John, Ashley and Luke, Emma and James, and Josh. I tap on my glass with my fork. "Thank you all for joining us for another amazing Sunday dinner; this Sunday is a little extra special, I hope," I say, looking at Cole, growing nervous. I reach into my pocket, pull out a ring box, and lower myself to one knee. There are quiet gasps around the table. Cole's eyes are round and glassy, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Cole, every moment we share reminds me of how lucky I am to have been given an amazing gift like you. Would you consider allowing me to be your husband?" I say, voice shaky. Cole nods vigorously. "Fuck yes," he breathes, and two voices pipe up. "Language!" we look at Ally and Emma and laugh.

This is us an unexpected life: an unexpected family and an unexpected but deep and incredible love.