Escape (Dana Vaughns) *EDITING*

Epilogue

“Wake up babe! Babe, please? Jiangs is on fire!” I heard someone screaming from the side of my face. Quickly I got up and started running to the entrance “Where are you going?”

“I have to go put out the fire or at least save some chicken!” I replied as I heard a chuckle. Turning around, I came face to face with my husband. He was smiling at me, his eyes still trapping me in them like it was my first time looking. He laughed again as I tackled him on the couch, placing my head in front of his for a small peck. “Why did I have to get up now?”

“The kids are awake upstairs and they will be down here any second.” Was all he said as we heard small giggles and footsteps.

“Five more minutes.” I told him as I got even more comfortable on his body. We stayed in that position until we heard people coming from down the hall.

“Still goals.” Cassidy said, remembering our first Christmas together when they found Dana and I in the same position. Cole took her waist in his hand and pulled her closer. I smiled at the pair and finally got off of him.

“I’ll go get the kiddies and you wake up all their parents?” I asked lightly while running up the stairs to get them. Opening the first door on my left, I was met with eleven children all ranging from ages five to seventeen. I looked at our daughter questioningly as she was sat close to Will’s son. Yes, we all have kids now. It’s been twenty years since Dana and I had gotten married and it took us three years to have a baby. Our first child, Katherine Laura Vaughns, named after her grandmothers, was really close with Will’s son Jake. I knew they were just best friends, or so they say but I mean look at Dana and I.

Five years after we had Katherine, we had Dana Garreth Vaughns the third of course. He was just like his dad with the curly hair and the charm. I knew he would definitely be breaking hearts soon. We also had another child, again five years after named Dean Martin Vaughns. He was my little angel and always wanted to help out. He was sat with Will’s daughter Hope who was his age and was still asleep surprisingly. I need to figure out how she did that.

Also in the room was David’s one son named Toby, who was seven like Dean. Gabe and Alex’s twins Nicola and Gabrielle who were fifteen now, and Cole and Cassidy’s triplets named Charlie, Jesse and Lindsey who were all the same age as Kat were all sat on the bed with the older kids.

I looked at all them in their pajamas and tilted my head to the steps, letting them know that they could get down there already. I watched as a mass of heads ran past me. Looking back in, I saw Dean with Hope, trying to wake her up so they could go open gifts. I laughed at his little hands shaking her shoulder. He was so cute.

“Dean sweetie? Want me to just carry her downstairs while you go?” I offered. He looked a little uneasy before nodding slowly. I laughed at his adorableness and picked her up to put over my shoulder. As soon as she got there, she snuggled into my neck making me let out a little awe. I made my way next door where my last baby was sitting on the bed, thumb placed casually in her mouth. Laula Noelle Vaughns was possibly the cutest two year old I had ever met.

“Hi love.” I said to her as she rubbed her eyes.

“Merry Christmas Mommy.” She said to me making my heart melt. These kids would actually be the death of me. I smiled at her before saying it back and taking her hand in mine. We made our way down the stairs where everyone was sitting, waiting for us to get there. Once Will saw Hope in my arms, he took her from me and went to sit back next to his wife, Trish. The both smiled at the sleeping child and laid her across their laps. I looked to see everyone smiling in anticipation and sat next to Dana, Laula in between her older sister and brother.

“Mom? Now?” Kat turned around and asked me. I looked at all my friends for confirmation and was about to nod yes when the front door opened.

“I appreciate you all waiting for us to get here. The traffic was terrible but there is a massive amount of snow out there. Anyway, we’re here finally.” I heard my brother’s voice ring through the corridor. We all smiled sneakily and silently agreed that we would never mention it. I heard everyone’s parents come in the door, bags of presents in their hands as we all made room for the new additions.