The New Separation (Book 2)

Epilogue

Colton

With my head on his chest, I listened to the even, rhythmic sound of my husband's heart beating. I missed this - holding him like this. Even if I had only been gone a couple days, those days always feel like forever.

That was the only thing I hated about my job. Playing professional soccer was amazing, until it came time to travel around the country for different games. Elliot tried to come to as many as he could, but with his own work schedule, it was difficult for him.

His fingers started running through my hair a few moments later, meaning he was awake. "Good morning," I said, not lifting my head.

"Morning. What time did you get back last night?"

I shifted positions so I was still laying on him, but now I could see his face. "Almost two. Also, I think we need a better guard dog. She didn't even wake up until I made it into our room. What if I was a murderer? You'd be dead and I'd be very sad."

"Oh yeah?" he asked with a chuckle. "Well what if she just knew it was you? It's not the first time you've gotten back that late."

I sighed. It was a fair point.

Then, as if she knew we were talking about her, Maggie started whimpering and kicking the side of the bed. Time to get up, it seemed.

A few minutes later, Maggie had been out and fed, Elliot was showered and dressed for work, and I was standing in the kitchen trying to make my brain think of something we could eat for breakfast.

"Go back to bed, Colton," Elliot said, wrapping his arms around my shoulders from behind me and kissing my cheek. "You need more sleep."

I turned around in his arms. "But I want to make you breakfast."

"You didn't even give Maggie her breakfast yet."

"What? Yeah I did." Turning around, I went to point at her bowl on the floor, only to find Maggie sitting there, looking up at me with sad eyes. Her bowl, full of her food, was still sitting on the counter. "Shit. Sorry, girl." Placing her bowl on the floor, I pet her head quickly before standing back up and looking at my husband again.

"Go to bed," he told me.

I went to bed.

That evening, after getting more than enough sleep, I made sure to have a fantastic dinner ready for Elliot when he came home. It wasn't fair to him that I always seemed to be in different states every other week because of a game or training or whatever to do with soccer. It was never more than three days at a time, usually less, but it was still hard for him to be here alone, aside from Maggie. He says he doesn't mind, but I feel guilty anyway, which is why I always try to make it up to him when I get home.

"It smells really good in here," Elliot said as soon as he walked through the door.

I smiled at him. "I hope you're hungry."

And he was, ten minutes later, we were digging into our food, neither of us saying anything for a few minutes. 

About halfway through the meal, Elliot spoke up. "What would you say to having a kid?"

I nearly choked on the piece of potato that was in my mouth. "What?" I asked once I could breathe again. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. Colton, we've been married for a few years now. We're getting older. I know we haven't really talked about it, but I think it's time we should."

I hesitated. "I... I don't know, babe. I'm not that great with kids. You know that."

"What about Amanda and Olivia?"