Until Arden

Epilogue

Arden

One year later

Holdenrunsupto the porch where I’ve been relaxing with Mia and Janelle while our husbands entertain the children. Or maybe the children are entertaining them. I’m having a hard time seeing the difference right now.

Janelle is calling this Patrick’s trial run, but since she’s due in two months, I’m not sure what her plans are if he fails this trial.

Holden trudges up the porch steps toward me, wipes the back of his arm over his forehead, and puts his hands on my knees. “Daddy Dash stepped on my pet shark and now it’s buried in the mud.”

Dash walks up behind him and takes a seat on the steps next to me, smacking Holden on the butt with his baseball cap. “Is he tattling on me?”

“Yep.” I nudge him in the side with my toes. “Did you expect any different?”

“Not at this point. I’ve learned both of you have a love of meaningless arguments.”

Holden spins around and puts his hands on his hips. I already see the regret on Dash’s face. Holden finds entertainment in pitting us against one another, but it’s always in good fun.

Well, usually.

“So.” I put on a serious face and lean forward. “Why’d you step on his pet shark?”

Without missing a beat, Dash looks me dead in the eye and says, “It bit me.”

“Nuh-uh.” Holden holds up his hand and wiggles his fingers in Dash’s direction while they argue.

With that, I’m leaving the two of them to work this out on their own.

“Yeah-huh.” Dash throws his hands up in the air. “It got a good chunk out of my foot.”

“You’re such a poop.” Holden flicks Dash's cap off his head, turns, and walks away, leaving Dash to deal with the fallout.

Next to me, Janelle is trying so hard to hide her snorting fit, so I nudge her with my elbow. “Just think, this is the kind of entertainment you have to look forward to in three to four years.”

“A pet shark?” she asks.

“It’s this big.” I hold up my fingers showing it’s about three inches long. “Plastic. Name is stinky.”

With that, Mia loses her shit as well. She wipes her tear-stained cheeks. “I secretly love this.”

Welcome to my daily insanity. And I wouldn’t change a moment of it for anything.

Dash looks over at me and adjusts his cap. It’s the same look that made me fall in love with him.

“Enjoying your first official day as Daddy Dash?”

A smug grin tugs at the edges of his lips. “Yeah. I am.”

It’s not like our daily routine is any different, but as of today, he’s officially a father on paper. Little does he know, that’s not going to be the only news of the day.

“So, why'd you step on his pet shark?”

“It was hidden in the grass. How was I supposed to know it was there?” Dash stands up and groans before he stretches his arms above his head. “I’m going to go grab a beer. Want one?”

“No, thanks.” Apparently, he still hasn’t noticed I’m avoiding all things in the alcohol department.

He leans in and kisses the tip of my nose before whispering in my ear. “Just so you know, all this entertainment is intended to make sure Holden falls asleep early.”

I’m trying really hard not to laugh, but it’s a lost cause. “You keep talking, but I have a feeling you’re going to be the one worn out by the end of the day.”

“Mmm...” He nudges me in the shoulder. “We’ll see about that.”

He strides off toward the house, and I’m left staring longingly at his back.

Janelle’s shoulder bumps into mine. “Enjoying the view?”

I cover my mouth with my hands and try not to giggle. “Yes. Very much so.”