Love at Last Sight

Epilogue

               "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

              "Mom. I'm pretty sure after five years of walking the same path I can get home from work fine by myself," I assured her, my left hand tightening around the banister of the staircase and my right tightening around Jack's leash.

              From the other side of the phone, I heard my mom heave a heavy sigh. "I know, I know, I'm just worried—"

              "Unnecessarily," I finished for her forcefully. "Geez, you worry worse than Chace. And he's pretty bad."

              "Where is he anyway?"

              "Work, Mom. We're adults. We have to work."

              Another sigh left her lips. "I can't believe he's still with you..."

              "Mom!"

              "Wait, that came out wrong," she said quickly. "I just mean it's rare that high school sweethearts get married, you know? Everyone wants to be those two, but rarely does it happen. You two..."

              I smiled to myself. "It's almost like fate."

              My mom snorted. "If you believe in that."

              "Right," I responded, rolling my eyes. My foot met the flat surface of the floor, revealing that the stairs had ended. Taking ten steps forward, I came to the door that led to the outside.

              Jack barked, informing me a person was entering through the door, so I stepped to the side, allowing the person to move by me.

              "Rose!" an excited voice cried. "I'm glad I caught you!"

              "Kate?" I questioned, but there was no doubt in my mind it was my best friend. "What are you doing here?"

              "Kate?" my mom echoed. "What's she doing there?"

              "I don't know Mom, look, I'll call you later. I really have to get going. Chace's making dinner."

              "But—"

              "Tell Dad I said hi and I love him. Love you. Bye." Snapping my phone shut, I slid it into my back pocket before turning to Kate. "So what brings you to my work?"

              She ruffled my hair. "Chace let a little secret slip to Paul, and you know how Paul is with secrets. And I couldn't wait until you got home, so I came straight here."

              My stomach dropped. "He didn't...."

              "Congratulations!" she cried, throwing her arms around me. "I would've never thought you and Chace would have a kid before me! And a son too!"

               "Kate!"

              "What?"

              "I didn't know the gender!" I told her, swatting blindly with my free hand. "You idiot! Chace wanted to know, but I wanted it to be a surprise!"

              Just as my hand met her shoulder, she squeaked out an apology. "Sorry! I'm sorry! I thought you knew!"

              Scowling, I returned my hand to my side. "Well, now I do, thanks."

              "Are you excited?"

              "Yeah," I admitted, smiling despite myself. "It really didn't matter what gender the baby was, but a boy sounds nice. Chace must be excited to dress him up."