SILVER EYES (GXG)

EPILOGUE

Three years later.

A warm ray of sunlight snuck through the window, creeping across the bed until it reached my eyes, as if it consciously wanted to wake me softly. But I was already awake. I'd been awake for at least an hour. Nerves were still something I struggled with, and today was a big day.

I turned over in bed, as I always did, to watch Heather. She slept with that adorable expression on her face, more beautiful than ever, if that was even possible. I loved watching her sleep; it gave me a sense of peace that nothing else could. She was breathing in that deep, steady way, and I couldn't resist leaning over to kiss her forehead, then her cheek and when I thought I should stop, my impulses got the best of me, and I kissed her lips too. Warm and soft as always. With that last kiss, she stirred awake.

"Is it time?" She murmured without opening her eyes.

"You mean time for kisses? Always." I joked planting another kiss on her nose.

Heather's lips curled into a tiny smile.

"Silly," She said as she raised her arm so I could sneak under, leaning my head on her chest. "Why are you up already?"

"I'm worried."

"She's fine." Heather said.

"You're sure? Yesterday she seemed so fidgety."

"She was excited. Today is going to be a great day."

"Can we check on her?"

"No, it's too early." She said pulling me closer so I couldn't slip away.

"Pleeeease?" I pleaded. "I'll be quick. You keep sleeping, and when I get back, I'll give you a million kisses to make up for it."

"A million kisses?" She pretended to weigh the offer for a moment. "Deal. Be quick."

I stood and crossed our room to the hallway, making my way to another door fully covered in children's drawings. One was a colorful portrait of a little girl playing with her brother by a river. Another showed a vibrant rainbow surrounded by butterflies and flowers. Gently, I pushed it open, trying to be as quiet as possible. Sunlight had found its way into their room too, painting the walls with a warm orange glow.

Jen lay peacefully in her bed, hugging the cute plush narwhal Neira had sewn for her ninth birthday. Her hair was, as always, a chaotic mess, and her cheeks were slightly pink, making her look impossibly adorable.

On the other side of the room, in a smaller bed, Will slept soundly. His arms were stretched above his head, and he had kicked his blanket aside, leaving his tiny but adorably chubby legs bare.

He was such a restless sleeper. When they first came to live with us three years ago, I'd half-joked that we might need to bolt his bed to the floor to keep him from rolling around the house at night. And, to my surprise, we'd actually had to put up bars on his bed once. Such an energetic little boy.

I knelt by Will's bed, covered him with the blanket again, kissed his cheek, and moved to check on Jen. She was sleeping so peacefully that I felt a little silly for having worried she wouldn't be okay.

"See?" Heather's voice came from the doorway. "She's fine."

I turned around and saw her leaning sleepily against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest. Her blue night blouse was a little wrinkled, but she still looked perfect in it.

"I'm sorry I woke you." I whispered.

She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her head on my shoulder as her hands clasped softly over my stomach.