The Match (It Happened in Charleston 1)

Epilogue

1 Year Later

I wake up to the feel of Jake’s mouth against mine. Turns out, I love being kissed first thing in the morning. This is the way Jake has woken me up every morning since we married nine months ago. “Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty,” he murmurs in my ear.

I peek one eye open and take one long look at his muscled, tan chest beside me and then to the clock on my phone. I groan because I know that I have no time to spend in bed with Jake this morning. “You let me oversleep.”

“Mmhmm. You need all the sleep you can get.” His hand lands on my swollen stomach as he kisses my cheek.

“I also need to get to the venue to unlock it in time for the vendors to get set up.” Last year’s fundraiser was such a success that we’ve decided to make it an annual thing. Thanks to all of the vendors who donated their services and items last year, we exceeded our fundraising goal.

Jake’s voice turns husky, and he starts nibbling at my earlobe. “Let Joanna do it.” Joanna technically retired a few months ago, but the poor thing was bored to death and driving Gary crazy. Unsurprisingly, one week after she retired, she signed up as a volunteer for Southern Service Paws. I think she’s putting in more hours now than she was before, but since I’ll be going on maternity leave in two months when our baby boy is born, I don’t mind. In fact, I’m downright grateful.

“I know, but I want to be there. I like my job, remember?”

“I know something else you like,” he says, undeterred.

But I won’t be deterred today. So, I roll my eyes and push him away. He laughs and reaches out to drag my body up close to him again, and I lay my head on his chest

. Jake and I both feel our baby boy kick him in the side, and I laugh.

Jake looks down at my round stomach and shakes his head. “You’re not even in the world yet, and you’re already taking your mama’s side? I thought I would have at least one of my kids on my team.”

In that exact moment, Sam busts into the room, and I’m OH SO GLAD that I had put a stop to Jake’s advances.

“Morning!” she says with a cheery smile and a bouquet the size of her head in her hand. She approaches the bed and sets them on the bedside table. “These are for you, Mama.”

Yep, you heard her right. Sam calls me Mama, and it still melts my heart every time. This girl and I have bonded like we were always meant to be mother and daughter. Her biological mom still hasn’t been in the picture much, and I know it hurts Sam more than she lets on, but I’ve been trying my best to always make sure that Sam knows she has a mama that loves her more than life. And also, I’m going to have to have a talk with her about opening the door to flower-delivery strangers first thing in the morning.

But for now, I smile and sit up, sending a questioning glance to Jake. He sits up too, and the sheets fall off his chest, and WHEN am I going to be immune to this man’s incredible body? I’m betting never. “Don’t look at me,” he says. “I was saving my flowers to give to you after the benefit tonight.”

I frown and pluck the little white card from the bouquet and tear into it.

Evelyn Grace,

We’re proud of you. See you tonight.

- Mama and Daddy

“What stupid man am I going to have to go murder for sending my wife flowers?” asks Jake, leaning over to grab the card.

Sam jumps on the end of the bed to pet Charlie. Charlie adores Sam. But turns out, his love is pretty cheap. She devotes five minutes a day to throw a tennis ball with him in the yard, and he is putty in her little hands. I’m not mad about it.

“Wow. What’s it feel like to read those words from your parents?” asks Jake after his eyes scan the card.

“I don’t know yet. It’s still hard to trust that they mean it. But I’m trying to let it sink in.” About three months ago, Daddy had a massive heart attack that almost killed him. Since then, his and Mama’s whole life has changed.

He gave up his position at the law firm, and he and Mama have started checking things off of their bucket list with all of their free time. Something happened to my parents after that heart attack. It was a wake-up call for them, and ever since, they have been trying their hardest to mend their relationship with me. I won’t lie; I wish that it hadn’t taken a heart attack to make them see my importance, but I know that beggars can’t be choosers. I’ve been cautious in letting them into my life, but so far, they’ve proven that their motives are pure.

They’ve even been trying to get to know Sam and make sure that she and Jake know we are all a part of their family. Mama is still snooty, but she’s getting better with every passing day. My hope is that, soon, we will have a real relationship and that they will be better with my child than they were with me.

Oh yeah, and this pregnancy has been a miracle in and of itself. I’ve had to grow accustomed to closer monitoring and lots of doctor visits (especially after seizures), but so far, everything has gone smoothly. We are all hopeful that I will carry to term and have a healthy birth. The doctor has assured me that epilepsy patients have safe deliveries all the time.

Jake kisses my temple. “Well, I love you, and I’m proud of you. And you can trust that.”

I smile and meet his gaze. “That I do know.”

“Me too!” says Sam, squeezing my feet. She inches up in the bed to lie down on my pillow beside me and rubs my belly. “How’s my baby brother doing today?”