The Tragic Life

Epilogue

It's barbecue season, and we're using Isla turning fifteen as an excuse to throw a party. We set a gazebo up in our back garden, and rented tables and chairs from a local party events company. It's been a whirlwind from here with Jamie taking the job in Leeds, and us putting the deposit down for the house.

The house is so beautiful that I have to pinch myself every morning when I wake up to the sight of the trees through the bay windows, and the sounds of the chirping birds. It's a dream come true. It really is. Emily likes it too because our neighbours own Shetland ponies, and often let her visit with the promise of carrots and plenty of pets on the neck.

The afternoon is drawing to a close, and I would say it's been a success with empty dishes and alcohol bottles strewn over the tables as the sky sets ready for the evening. I gave up on getting drinks for everyone an hour into the party, politely letting them know that they would have to get their own drinks from the kitchen because I wouldn't be when everyone wanted something different every time.

They were okay about it, which suited me fine as I sat back to relax next to Yasmin and Baby Alima. The two-month-old is changing everyday and so alert. She stolen the attention today by being passed from person to person without waking up once.

Jamie starts banging his knife on his beer bottle from his seat next to me to grab our families attention. "I want to start by wishing my beautiful sister a happy fifteenth birthday. It's scary how fast time is going, but I'm so proud of you, Isla. I'm excited to see what the future holds for you, sweetheart."

Isla, who's sitting next to her boyfriend, Troy, blows him a kiss. Then she blows one to me too. "Thank you both for such a special day."

Jamie looks mildly uncomfortable when she cuddles into Troy. He drags his gaze from them to let it fall onto me. "There's another reason for bringing you all here today. We thought that it would be a nice opportunity to let you all know that we sent off for the adoption papers. In a few months I will be one of Emily's legal guardians."

Loud cheers echo around the table which I expect, seeing Arabella running over here with Emily in her arms. She puts my baby girl down on her feet by Jamie. "There you go."

Jamie brings Emily into his arms to kiss the side of her head. "I'm so lucky to be able to call this wonderful girl my daughter."

It's hard to fight back the emotion.

Maggie is clapping wildly in our direction. "You're a perfect little family now."

I get onto my feet to stand next to them, wrapping my arm around his waist. "This is big. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that this moment would be happening for us, but I'm so grateful that it is."

Jamie kisses the side of my head. "Oh, sweetheart, would you mind passing me the wine bottle? I want to toast to us."

I nod, reaching over the table to grab the bottle of white wine, hearing loud gasps from every angle. Bringing the bottle with me, I turn to hand it to him, but find him knelt on one knee in front of me. "Oh, my god."

"Moll," he whispers in a soft tone. "My, Molly. There really are no words in any language to describe the love I have for you. You're my best friend, my family, and my soulmate rolled into one. Will you marry me, baby?"

The women around the table join in on my loud cry as I lower myself to his level with my head nodding so fast it burns the tops of my shoulders a little bit.

I choke on the words. "Yes. Yes, of course, I'll marry you." He slides the delicate solitaire diamond ring on my finger and I wrap my arms around his neck.

I'm so incredibly happy when he pulls back to kiss me hard on the mouth and stand up with me in his arms. Emily is sitting with Matt with her thumb in her mouth as she does well to stay up past her bedtime.

I'm kissing my fiancé, thinking that is the craziest thing to ever enter my mind. I'm engaged. I found happiness. ME! It's a drugging kiss as he lowers me to my feet so he can grab hold of my face with both hands to really show me his love.

"Stop kissing, so I can hug you," comes from Isla as she drags me out of Jamie's hold to squash me so tight it hurts. "You're really my sister now."

I giggle, watching Maggie squeeze the life out of Jamie. "Yes, sisters." Abbey appears out of nowhere to pull me into her arms too.

In all of the hysteria, our eyes lock to find one another through the bouncing bodies. Jamie stifles a secret little grin, and I do the same, absorbing everything about this moment.

I never want it to end.

...

Oh, wow, thank you soo much for your support on this story!

P.S. Stay tuned for the novella! 😘