Traveling Vivian

Epilogue

Epilogue

Seven Years Later

The cool wind surrounded the house as the calming night sky settled on the horizon. Summer wind roamed through the house while the silent whisks of the fan whistled. The sound of tapping from Bentley's luggage moved across the ceiling. As with that, the faint cries of our twins, Anastasia and Madison, echoed through the halls. Our son, Raphael, played with his blue xylophone on the floor as I sat down in front of the computer, typing away.

I started typing a memoir of my lifetime since the day Mawmaw left me and with three new babies, it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Thankfully, Mint was willing to help along with Phil. I wanted to write my book and I wanted to share the world of my journey to adulthood and life. It wasn't easy but whose life isn't? It was not about the sorrow or grief but more of the happiness and lessons learnt along the way. I smiled as I looked at the eighty chapters written. With high hopes, I prayed it would be published.

The girls' whines settled more as I waited a moment to see if I really needed to tend to the twins after I paused my typing. I sighed when the sound of Madison's screech escalated louder.

"I guess mommy is going to save this chapter and see to your sister. Mint, can you stay here to watch your brother?" I muttered as I clicked the save button on the computer. I looked down to see Raphael as he stopped his tapping. Raphael's blue eyes lit up when he looked at me. I guess maybe he did understand what I was saying.

Mint's tiny petite frame showed as she emerged from the television room. She had Jax's green eyes as vivid as I remembered him and his grace. She looked at me and smiled. Mint was now thirteen and social networking was her favorite thing. She pulled out her phone and slouched on the couch next to Raphael.

"Mint, he's all set. Just keep an eye on him so he doesn't get into anything!" I said.

Mint nodded and got up to play with him. Mint was thin, tall, and had fair skin. She had her father's nose and his personality. She was soft- spoken, sweet, and witty. I felt Jax's orb igniting from her. She was just like him and it surprised me how she carried herself. "Sure mom. I'll be here." She said as she patted Raphael's nose.

Raphael giggled and I smiled gently at him. I proceeded up the stairs.

I closed the gate from the bottom of the stairs and walked up. These past seven years has changed me forever. I was still the loving mother for my first three and the dedicated, lawful, and caring wife to Phil but I knew more of myself. From being such a timid, terrified young girl to a confused, scrambling teen mother, I knew who I was really meant to be. I was supposed to be me. I was Vivian Houston- Wilkins, the girl who suffered a lot but still managed a smile on my face because the people who stuck by me were the ones I loved and cared for and they do, in return, for me. For once in my lifetime, everything was what it was supposed to be. Life meant this; a warm cozy home, a doting husband, and our children's laughter echoing through the halls of our happy harmonious home.

I gazed through the walls the triumphant victories of our kids decorated the walls more than our family pictures. The strong hard wood frame surrounded Ella's high school diploma and her trophies from cheerleading and tennis. She excelled very well in education as well during high school and she was off to Princeton University for her business degree. She wanted to be like Jax and she wanted to take care of his business after me. I guess sometimes, you can never let go of the ones you love dearly.

Bentley's football pictures hung right along the halls of our bedrooms. He just graduated from his private high school and he was so excited that he received a full tuition paid to go to University of Texas Dallas. Bentley was so ecstatic that when it was freshmen orientation, he rushed us out quickly so he could be dropped off. I giggled at the memory and pressed my finger at his face. He looked so much like Daddy. Daddy, Linlee, and maybe Lady would have been proud that their only grandchild and son were doing well in his life. And it was all because of me. From taking him in as an infant to raising him into my own son, I couldn't possibly abandon him after all. He was my child.

The sound of Madison's cries reached me to my present as I groaned and walked into the room. Already, Phil was in the room holding her as she relaxed her tiny head on his shoulders. Phil shushed his little girl as he turned to see me. He was wearing his tanned pants and black collar shirt. I smiled at him as he signaled Anastasia.

Already, I knew what he meant. The smell of dirty diapers lingered in the air that the air freshener couldn't eliminate it. I shook my head and picked her tiny frame from her rosy crib. "Hey stinker," I said as she wiggled in her swaddle. I brought her to the changing table and carefully, changed her diaper. I clicked the diaper genie to open and threw the mess inside, quickly. I closed it tight and held her tiny body against my chest as her tiny heartbeat paced with mine. I rubbed her soft back as she whined a bit.

"They are only five weeks old but they are eating quite a bit," Phil said.

"They're porks, like you." I teased.

Phil chuckled as he rocked Madison. He cleared his throat and said, "Please, Vivian. You should now you eat more at a buffet than I do."

I pouted as he laughed at his own remark. Jerk. I continued to care for Anastasia as Phil stood close to me. "They are so beautiful," I said when I noticed Madison in his warm arms.

"Just like our other children," He said as he placed a kiss on my lips.

I felt the softness of his lips pressed against mine. I thought for a moment and shook my head. We did had a disagreement about our housing when we found out I was pregnant with twins. Mint shared a room with Ella so we could turn one room into Raphael's. Then with the twins, we built another room for them upstairs next to us. After all that, I just figured we were good with children. Raphael and the twins were only a year apart too. I chuckled to myself and whispered, "I think I'm done now."

"Really?" Phil asked, shocked.

I looked at him with my brown eyes wide and nodded.

Phil exhaled loudly and placed Madison down in her crib. He took Anastasia from my arms and placed her in the other crib. Then he turned to me and held me. "Good. I was afraid we might have to kick Mint out for more room." He teasingly said.

"Oh stop it, Phil. We got two out." I laughed.

"I do miss them too. I hope they're doing okay."

"Ella is doing fine. I think she likes it up north. Bentley is already training for college football. I miss them too."

Phil kissed my forehead and held me tightly. "I'm so glad we can spend this life together."

I felt his seriousness as I hugged him back. I never knew if I loved someone as much as I loved my children but when I am with Phil, it's like I know where I belong. He made it feel comfortable just by being around him and just being in his arms. "I am too." I whispered. "And it's going to stay this way for as long as we both are alive."

And I truly loved him forever.

With new journeys, new lessons await as we take our steps every day. Never be afraid to take a chance, life opens doors to many opportunities. With the milestones hit at each hard tunnel, it only builds character and strengths for bigger adventures of tomorrow. But always remember; be happy of those who stood by you and life is too short to make the worst of it. Be happy and harmonious.

Sincerely,

Kristen