“I bought this bed the weekend I went to the mountains to visit Mum. When I saw it in the shop, I knew it was a serious bed. A bed for a family. For a lifetime. One day, when you’re ready, I hope maybe you’ll consider birthing our children in this bed.”
“Is that why you bought it?”
“Yes. Even if I didn’t know it at the time.”
“As long as you know it now.”
Greer sighs, and I can feel the contentment flowing out of her in waves. “In this bed. In this house.”
“Our time starts now.”
Epilogue One
Greer
I’dlovetosaythe weeks after Josh and I finally find ourselves float by in a loved-up bubble of walks on the beach and lazy Sunday morning orgasms. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of those. But Christmas is coming up fast, and Josh is insistent we hold Christmas at ‘our’ place this year, so there is also a frenzy of homewares shopping. And while things are still a bit sparse, and there's very little actual furniture, it’s liveable.
Officially, I still live in my flat in Kirribilli, and on nights when one of us works late, or has an early meeting, we stay there. But more often than not, we can be found in Manly.
Tyrone’s mother has flown off to Europe and left him. Again. So, he’ll be spending the summer holidays with us. As soon as the house was finished, Josh asked him to choose a room for himself. He chose the one furthest away from us so he didn’t have to hear us having ‘gross old people monkey sex’ he said. In reality, it was because it’s the one closest to the stairs, so he thinks he can sneak out at night without Josh realising. Which hasn’t quite worked out for him. Regardless, he seems happy to be here.
The three of us had a great time shopping for furniture, artwork and bedding for him, and even unfinished, it looks much more like a teenage boy’s room than the overdone early-Versace vibe at his mother’s.
Josh has stuck to his guns about Ty paying him back for the legal fees, so he’s been working it off by taking care of the garden for us as well as working with Matt. He complains bitterly, but you can hear him whistling and talking to the plants whenever he’s working out there. Matt thinks he might have a future as a landscaper. That’s entirely up to him. He’s got another year at school before he has to decide.
Susan Kirby was worth her weight in chocolate bars, and managed to get him off with a twelve-month driving suspension and some community service. Josh put her on speed dial, for future reference.
Christmas Day, as often happens in Sydney, dawns cloudy and humid. Ty is up early, making sure there are no leaves in the pool, and the lawn is clear, further proof he loves the garden. Also, he lives to impress my dad, who has strict rules about leaves in pools.
The entire family descends on us right on eleven. Mum, Dad, Will and Ben, Ethan and Jessie. Josh’s face looks like it might split; he’s grinning so wide. He’s thrilled to have the family—our family—celebrating in his first real home ever.
Everyone dumps their gifts under the huge fresh Christmas tree that Josh, Ty and I spent hours decorating with more tinsel, baubles and fairy lights than can be found in Myer. Josh said it had to be perfect, and it is.
“If it’s okay with you, Harry, I’d like to be Santa this year,” Josh says.
“Well, it’s your house, son. Just don’t get used to it. You don’t have the belly to carry it off once grandbabies come along.” Dad pats his ever-expanding waistline and gives Jess and me the side eye.
In a matter of minutes, it’s like a feeding frenzy. Presents are passed around, paper is shredded and there a squeals and shouts of delight. Ty bellows his approval as he unwraps the latest wireless VR headset Josh and I bought him and rolls his eyes in mock horror at the high-end gardening tools my brothers chipped in for.
Eventually, there are no presents left under the tree. I look at Josh expectantly. I know he will have bought me something, but it’s nowhere to be seen. Which is funny because my present to him is missing too.
Taking my hand, he pulls me up from my seat on the floor.
“Last but not least, Merry Christmas, Greer.” He hands me a small, flat, faded velvet box. I know it’s not a ring. We’ve talked about it, and he promised he wouldn’t even think about proposing until after Jessie and Ethan’s wedding. I snap open the lid, and inside are the most exquisite art deco sapphire and pearl earrings I’ve ever seen. I make a noise somewhere between a squeal and a gasp because words are beyond me, and Jessie and Mum are up in a flash, looking over my shoulder.
“I bought these the weekend I went to visit my mother.” Josh reaches to remove the earrings I put in this morning. “At the time, I convinced myself they were a thank you for all the work you were doing on this house. In fact, they were much more. They were a declaration.” He takes one of the earrings and slides it into my ear. “A declaration that you mean more to me than anything or anyone I’ve ever known. I love you, Greer. I did then, I do now, and I will forever.”
The other earring slips in easily, and I feel it sway gently. Behind me, I hear Mum and Jessie sniffling, Dad harrumphing, and Ty and my brothers gagging. But in front of me, there’s Josh, and nothing else matters.
“I love you too.” I take his face in my hands and kiss him with all the love flowing through my veins.
“Cut it out, Greer,” Will interrupts. “Is it time yet?”
I turn and nod, and we race out the back door, across the deck and down the side path.
“Close your eyes,” I call. Which is intended for Josh, but when we come back inside, everyone is standing, eyes closed. Although Ty looks like maybe he’s cracked one open.
“Sit down and hold out your hands,” I tell Josh. I need to get this done quickly before someone breaks cover.
