Truly Free // COMPLETED

Epilogue

Ten years later

"Babe please don't fall," I say to Gray as he hangs the banner across the door frame.

"I promise you I won't," he answers. "Now hand me another piece of tape, please."

I hand him the tape and he finishes hanging the banner and steps off the ladder to look at his handiwork.

WELCOME HOME BABY RIDLEY !

Gray smiles, proud of himself for hanging the banner for his best friend. Everyone always figured Gray and I would get married and have kids first, and we did but Aaron and Victoria surprised us all when they got married a few years ago, seemingly out of nowhere.

Now here we are almost four years later waiting for them in their living room with some more of their friends and family. Aaron and Vickie finally get to bring their new baby girl home today and everyone is so excited.

After a few minutes, we hear a car pull up in the driveway and soon the happy couple come through the door, holding their sweet baby.

Caroline Marie Ridley. A beautiful name for a beautiful little girl.

After greeting their parents first, Aaron and Victoria make their way over to where Gray and I stand with our two year old son.

"We thought it was about time we got little Andrew a cousin," Victoria says, showing off Caroline. "I hope they're close."

"I'm sure they will be as long as we all stay together," Gray says, hugging Aaron. "Congrats man."

"I can't believe this! It feels like just yesterday we were rolling Nat McMichael's house and now here we are all grown up and having kids and everything," Aaron runs his hand through his hair.

"I never thought you'd ever settle down," I tell him.

"We all knew you guys would," he refers back to Gray and I.

"Well she's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me," Gray looks at me.

"Ditto," I respond.

"Five years of marriage and all I get is 'ditto'."

"Five years of marriage and you're still a sap, man," Aaron nudges my husband.

It's true. He always has been a sap and he always will be. Being married to Gray Harrison Corley has truly been one of the easiest things in my life. I love him, he loves me, and everything else just falls into place.

He takes me out of my comfort zone and out of my crazy brain and helps me simplify things and see them for what they are instead of what I think they are. Being with him really opened my eyes and I'm no longer bound by anxiety and uncertainty and I can be myself without worrying how things will turn out.

I, Addison Louise Brooks, am truly free.