A Twist Of Fate

Epilogue

Everyone in our backyard sang the Happy Birthday song as all the candles shined on the birthday cake. I sang along with happy tears in my eyes. The song ended and Angie thought about her wish then blew out all the candles. We all clapped and then an arm was place around my waist. Regina put her head on my shoulder and smiled at me. "What's with the tears my love?" I look over at Angelica. "I can't believe our baby is 16 years old Regina. It feels like life went by so fast". "I know my love I feel the same way but look at her. She looks so happy. Look at all our children Emma. They are all happy healthy kids". I look around the backyard at all our friends and family. All our children are here and having a good time at their sisters birthday party. My dad comes walking over and taps me on the shoulder. "The grill is on and heating up. So whenever you guys are ready we can start grilling the food". "Great dad thanks". Regina and him walk into the house to get everything that will be cooked on the grill. Most of the ladies help set up the food tables with all the side dishes and the already prepared food. I look around and see my children. Regina and I have been married now for 14 years and we have 5 kids. Angelica 16, Henry almost 13, Tyler 10, Sophia 7 and Jake 2. Jake was our surprise baby, well it shouldn't have been much of a surprise we weren't exactly practicing safe sex. After Sophia, Regina said she was done having kids but neither one of us got "fixed" I guess you could say but after Jake was born Regina had her tubes tied. All our kids are great and are doing well in school. Sophia has been the only one that has had a hard time in school. We found out last year that she's dyslexic. Unfortunately I think she gets that from me. I always had trouble in school. Growing up in foster care no one ever cared. It wasn't until I went to the Nolan's that I got the help I needed. I'll give her this, Mary Margaret was the first to notice it and set me up with someone at school to help me. Speaking of Mary Margaret she shows up from time to time. A few days before my dad and Kathryn's wedding she showed up at my house asking for my help to get David back. I laughed in her face and told her that my father was the happiest I have ever seen him in my life. I suggested that she try to move on because David has and so have we all. My dad and Kathryn have been married for almost 12 years now and have always been there for Regina and I. My dad kept his promise to Henry and to all the kids actually. We always all go camping every year as a family. If possible we try to fit a few more trips during the spring and summer months. I was mostly the stay at home mom but after Sophia went to school full time I felt lost. Regina always had her job as Mayor and I was home all alone. Sure I had a lot to do between the cooking, cleaning and the laundry. Plus running whatever errands needed to be done. After a while I just felt like I wasn't myself anymore. I was more moody and I do admit it that I was taking it out on my family. Regina and I argued all the time over shit that wasn't even that important. I was just lost. When Regina couldn't take anymore she asked me to leave the house. We were separated for a little over a year. I hardly ever saw her. When I would come to get the kids to spend time together she always had someone else at the house. I started seeing Dr. Hopper regularly. He helped me understand that I was dealing with a different kind a loss this time. Without any children to keep me occupied I had an empty feeling. He suggested that I take a part time job. So I did, as the town hall security guard. I got caught up on all the training and certifications and was on the job in no time. Regina still didn't want to see me. I think it was because she believed I gave up on us but I never ever felt that way and I never stopped loving her. We ran into each other a few times while I was on duty. She barely looked at me. It really broke my heart because I know she was hurting. One day during a session with Dr. Hopper I asked him to get in contact with Regina and he asked her to come to one of my appointments so we can try to work things out. She agreed without having to be asked twice which I was happy about. At the appointment she unleashed everything she felt towards me. Every word out of her mouth brought me almost down to nothing on the self esteem meter. It took us a few months to work things out. I love my wife and the family we created together and thankfully so did Regina. He worked hard to get things back on track. We started out slowly but eventually she let me come back home. The kids were so happy and so was I. I can't tell you how much I missed them and Regina. Now every chance I get I try hard to maintain good relationships with all our children and especially with Regina because we are a team and I never want to be apart for her or our children again. "Emma? Emma? Damn it what's wrong with you?" Regina breaks me from all my thoughts. "I'm sorry babe. I was just thinking about our life together. I love so much Regina". She kisses me and gives me a hug. "Oh Emma I love you too". All the food was cooked and served. Everyone ate and continued on with the party. Later on in the evening most of the guests had left so it was just me Regina and the kids, dad and Kat along with Ruby and her wife Dorothy. We built a fire in our backyard fire pit and we all sat around it. We helped the kids make some s'mores and then we just sat there and enjoyed the sight before us. Regina and I put the 2 youngest to bed when they fell asleep then we just let the fire die down. At a little after 11pm my dad and I put out the fire. While everyone else helped Regina take everything into the house and put it away. We all said goodnight to each other and our family went in the house. I made sure everything was locked up tight and me, Regina, Angelica, Henry and Tyler walked upstairs to our bedrooms. Regina and I went to all our kids rooms to say goodnight and then give them a kiss. Then Regina and I went to our room. We did our nightly bathroom routine then got in bed. We snuggled together in bed and fell asleep. We've both been through so much but somehow we are making it work.

A/N Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this. And a very special thank you to TheQuietOne1993 for giving me the prompt for this and trusting in me enough to write out your story idea. I hope you liked how I put it into words. Thanks again everyone. 💕❤️