Who Will Win My Heart 3

Epilogue

*Leah's POV* 

I pull the cup up to my lips, and let the hot tea slip down my throat. My eyes are closed, and I soak in everything around me. The breeze is blowing in my face and making the leaves above me rustle; my back is pressed firmly against the bark of the tree, the sun hitting my body; and I can hear the sweet laughs and chatter from my family. I open my eyes, and I can't help but smile from pure bliss. 

Things weren't always like this, but I am so grateful that they are now. 

Years ago, I couldn't imagine my life like this. Growing up, Liam and I always talked about having families and helping our dad sober up. One day he would be at our weddings, our old dad who used to love us with all of him. He would be a grandfather, spoiling our kids by feeding them endless amounts of candy. But of course that didn't happen. 

I never imagined I would go through the things I have. The abuse, trauma, and the series of unfortunate events. I never imagined a life like that for me. Nor did I want a life like that. But now, I have the life I always dreamed of. Liam happy, I'm happy, and I love myself again.

Over the years, it took time put myself back together again. I was in pieces, I was nothing. I hate myself for so long, even while raising my kids. I never thought I was doing a good enough job, no matter how hard I tried and I failed at something. Louis had to give me gentle reminders that children are tiny humans who have a big attitudes, and we do the best that we can.

I remember those days with Louis, all the good and the bad. We both have grown over the years, and I am thankful I still have him by my side through all that has happened. 

Ten years ago, I walked down the aisle at the church and saw his smiling face with tears rolling down his cheeks. Little did I know I was pregnant at the time, which explained why my dress didn't fit the day before. Thank god Anna was able to use her mom skills to fix that for me in a hot flash. 

Our wedding was a magical day. I never felt so loved, and it wasn't because the day was about me or Louis. It was about how I never thought I would live to see the day of my wedding. I never thought I would make through my teenage years, through all the abuse. I never thought I would make it through all the chemo treatments. But at that moment, I knew I survived and I knew I was going to live. I knew I was ready to thrive. So I pushed through and I did. I am living.

When I found out that I was pregnant with Layla, I immediately smiled and ran into the bathroom when Louis was in the shower. I quickly opened the door and he turned to look at me with my tears rolling down my face and a smile. He frowned at me, and when I told him he started crying as he pulled me into the shower with him to kiss me. 

That was one of the best days of my life. Never in a million years did we expect me to get pregnant, and the doctors told me it was a miracle that I was. The chemo treatments should have killed all of my eggs. 

But Layla was our miracle. 

And now I look over to Louis pushing her on the tire swing that is attached to the tree, just like we imagine when we came to look at this house the first time. The tall oak tree in our front yard withholds so many memories. This is my home, where the love of my life is and where I feel safe.

The laughs fill the air, and my heart is warm.

Lucas, standing at only 4 feet tall, is trying to push Layla with their dad, but Louis has to keep saving him from almost being hit by the swing. After a few minutes, Louis picks Lucas up and swings him around. Lucas giggles so loudly and has the biggest smile, his teeth shining and his eyes squeezed tight shut. 

Adopting Lucas was a surprise to both of us,  and I am so thankful Lucas came into our lives. We adopted him when he was just born. I got to hold him moments after he was born, and I knew he was ours. He cuddle right into my chest, and I felt like I was his mom. His biological mom was 18 years old, single mom who did not plan to get pregnant in high school. She wanted to focus on graduating high school and going to college, not raising a child. Her mom was Louis' friend, and when Louis heard of the story he came to me. We wanted to have another child, but knew that Layla was going to be my only pregnancy.