Mending A Broken Soul (Mavin)

Chapter Twenty: Epilogue

Chapter Twenty:
Epilogue

"Gavin! I think Oliver's ready to try again!" I heard Michael call from the living room.

I excitedly scurried out of the kitchen and back into the living room, seeing Michael standing over our youngest son, holding his tiny hands in his larger ones. Oliver gazed around at us in wonder, probably wondering what the hell we were getting so excited over.

"Okay... So, you're mum said you should let them stand on their own and encourage them to come to you," I told him. Michael smiled and nodded, prying Oliver's tiny hands off of his. Oliver made a sour face at this, obviously being displeased that his father was leaving him.

I sat in the middle of the floor and smiled at Oliver. His attention slowly came back to me as I started clapping my hands and calling his name. Oliver made another sour face, as if trying to figure out what I wanted from him.
Michael laughed a little at that and our first born son, Banjo, crawled onto his lap and taunted his younger brother.

"Daddy, I could walk way before Oliver could, right?" He asked, gazing into Michael's eyes.

"Not really. You were... What... eleven months? Maybe twelve," Michael said, smiling when his son crossed his arms and pouted.

"Oliver, you can do it. Just one little step. That's all," I said to Oliver as his attention reverted back to me. Oliver gazed down at the floor and I began to feel both excitement and fear about whether he was going to sit back down or actually take a step towards me.

Suddenly, Oliver stuck his foot out and I gasped slightly as he set it down. As he began to tumble forwards, he took several more and collapsed into my arms.

"Oh my goodness, good boy, Ollie! Good boy!" I cried out, hugging him as tightly as I could. I felt tears pierce my eyes as I made the realization that my son had just taken his first few steps.

Michael stood up and approached us, sitting on the floor behind me and wrapping his strong arms around the both of us. I smiled and looked back at him, seeing Banjo trying to squirm into Michael's lap again. Michael allowed him and pulled all of us together in a big group hug.

I felt the tears run down my cheeks as I felt the love of my family beat in all our hearts. I looked down at the two sons that Michael and I brought into this world. Then my gaze flicked to Michael and I smiled, seeing his wedding ring glint off of the lights above our heads.

This was what I had dreamed of when I was at my worst in my depression. That I would someday be married to Michael and have kids. That we would live in a large and beautiful house that would be able to hold all the wonderful memories we would make down the road.

I pressed myself against Michael and he smiled while I kissed the heads of both of my children. My gaze returned to Michael's and I stared into his brown eyes that I had grown so used to seeing everyday. Michael stared straight back at me, pressing his forehead against mine.

"We are the perfect family, aren't we?" I asked him. Michael smiled broadly and nodded, kissing me gently on the lips.

Suddenly, I heard a ding and I lifted my head away from Michael's. I set Oliver on the floor next to Michael while I got up to check on our dinner.

I smiled and grabbed an oven mitt, smirking slightly as I remembered the time Michael tried to make me wear one when I had stitches. Opening the oven, I pulled out our dinner. I set it on top of the stove, checking the other dishes to see if they were ready as well. When they were I began setting them on the dining table, making everything look presentable even if it was just for my intermediate family.