Love Never Gives Up (Changed) 1

Epilogue

Ten years later...

"Jake, honey, where is Nina's blanket that she always carries around? I can't find it in her room." I try my best to not break down in tears. He doesn't give a reply so I balance a even more devastated Nina against my one hip while continue searching for her beloved blanket. I try my best to quiet her the best I can but nothing works. I throw a teddy bear at the wall in frustration, "Damm it, Cora. I hate that you got her so attached to that stupid blanket." My outburst causes Nina to get scared and even more upset. I instantly feel guilty. "Hush now, sweetie, Mommy is sorry she yelled. It's just, your auntie spoils you and your brothers a lot, and I'm not used to it. I'll find your blankie, don't worry baby." I bounce her a little to get her to settle down. I hear two sets of feet running up the stairs. "Mommy we found her blankie!!" I smile and rush out of the room. I gently place Nina on the floor near my feet while her two older brothers run towards her. "Cole, Tyler, don't run in case one of you two slip then fall, please." They smile innocently at me and I can't help and return their smiles. They hand me Nina's blanket and then I bend down to give it to her. She latches her tiny little fingers onto it and buries her cubby little face in it. I hear a louder set of footprints and I turn around. Jake is holding a small stuffed animal and looks at the kids then me. "You found it." I nod, where was he when I called his name? Couldn't he hear me ask that plus know his six month old daughter was having a meltdown? I focus my attention on the kids. "Where did you two find her blanket anyways?" They smile with pride and I give a light one back. "We found it in the playroom, Mommy." I bite the inside of my cheek, of course it would be in there. Just a few hours ago, the four of us were watching Disney movies and playing together while Jake was at work. I pick Nina up and give both the boys a kiss on their heads. "Well, now that little Nina has her blankie, I'll go put her down for a nap and then I'll make you two some lunch. How does that sound?" Their faces light up like Christmas lights and instantly wrap their arms around my legs. I use one arm to hold Nina and the other to brace her and I against the wall so we don't fall. I laugh, "Ok then, now, will you two go clean up and give me fifteen minutes?" They both nod and run off to wherever. I smile and watch them go. Nina starts to fuss in my arms and I start walking to her room.

I can hear but I mostly feel Jake's presences when we're all in the room. I don't know what has been going on but it's been tense between him and I and I'm not sure if its because we never get alone time or what is going on. I sit down in the rocking chair and sing her a small song I made up when I was pregnant with the boys. In ten minutes she's out like a light and I run my hair through her soft little hair. I carefully stand and walk to her crib. Her blanket is still in her fist tight hand and I make sure she's lightly covered and I set the baby monitor on. I turn and see Jake in the doorway. I step aside of the crib, "You can be with her. She needs both of our love, so do the boys." He nods and walks over to us. I let him say his things to Nina and I start walking out of the room. "I'll be downstairs making the boys lunch." No reply back. I get down the stairs and see the boys out in the front yard playing catch. Then I see Vespa out with them. I smile and stand in the doorway. She isn't playing with them, but she's watching over them. I float back to when I picked her up from the clinic I work at. She's a pitbull, yet a purebred. All tan and then a white patch of fur on her chest. She was abandoned by her owners and I immediately felt horrible. After a week of thinking it and talking to Jake about it, oh, plus the boys; we all decided we'd adopt her. She's been living with us for almost a full eight months and I'm very grateful we got her. Two months after we adopted her, I found out I was pregnant with Nina. I was worried on how Vespa would react to another member to the family but when time came around to when I had her, Vespa attached herself to Nina right after I got the clear to bring her home. She still loves the boys but she adores Nina the most and it makes my heart melt every time.

I fall out of memory lane but it hits right back at me once I start making the boys lunch. Cole is the oldest of the three. He's about five, going on six in three months. Tyler is two and a half and is the more quiet one. It was a shocker when I found out I was pregnant, especially with twins. I just graduated from college and got my veterinary degree and was looking for a part time job as a cleaner for vet clinics. I saved money up throughout my years of high school, then also during college. So I wasn't worried about money but only of how able I was to work. Telling Jake was hard. He was working a lot and was always busy at the time. I never go out much so I didn't have many "girlfriends" to depend on to talk to, besides Cora. I feel a wave of guilt again and I stop myself from crying. It's been seven months since I got to see Cora and we both know it's been too long for us. I finish making the boys their lunch and call them in. I bend down to grab Vespa's water dish when she bolts through the door and devours my face in kisses. I giggle and push her away. I give her a scratch behind her ear and hand the boys their plates. They tear into their food and I lean against the counter and munch on apple slices that I pre-set this morning. Once the boys are done eating I take their plates and put them in the dishwasher. I tell the boys I'll be right back and head upstairs to shower. I quietly walk past Nina's room then walk to the third floor to the master bedroom. I lock the door just so the kids don't bolt in and grab some clothes. I don't hear Jake up here so I strip to just my bra and underwear. I turn the fan on and the radio on. I take my hair tie out and walk to the bathroom. Suddenly I run right into Jake.