“Thank you for loving us and for going to bat for our boy. You’re protecting his heart as a mother should,” I tell her, kissing her softly. When she pulls out of the kiss, she’s smiling. “I knew all I had to do was follow the play, and I’d get the girl.”
Her head falls back, and her body shakes with laughter. Camden comes rushing over, not wanting to miss a moment of the fun, and I help him climb onto the couch, and Sloane lifts him onto her lap.
Right here, this is what’s important—my girl, my son, and the life we’re building. The journey wasn’t easy, but now that we’re here, I can’t wait to see where it takes us.
Epilogue Baker
Baker
* * *
Sloane and I are still sleeping in the bedroom upstairs, but last night, since both of our parents stayed over to watch Camden open presents from Santa, we slept in the primary bedroom on the first floor.
I was able to make love to her for most of the night, and I’m pretty sure our parents didn’t hear us. Hell, even if they did, I wouldn’t care. I mean, sure, that would be awkward, but that’s how we all came to walk on this earth, and Sloane, she’s the love of my life. I have to say the words every day, multiple times a day, now that I’ve set them free, and I have to show her.
We both enjoy that part very much.
“Wow!” Camden says as he opens a massive dinosaur from Sloane’s parents. Wow has been the word of the day. I’m pretty sure in every single video any of us has taken of him opening his presents, wow has come out of his mouth.
“What is it?” Nancy asks.
“Dino,” he says, climbing to his feet, lifting the massive box, and carrying it to Carl to open for him.
“That’s right,” my mom praises. “That’s a big one.”
“Dis big.” He holds his little arms out to show us.
“That’s really big,” my dad says.
“Here you go, champ,” Carl says, handing the dinosaur to Camden. He immediately drops to the floor and starts playing with it.
“We might need a bigger house,” Sloane jokes.
“When Baker was little, I always did a clean out of toys before his birthday and Christmas.”
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Sloane’s eyes find mine. “Remind me next year.”
I nod and smile because I love it when my girl plans for our future. I didn’t know life could be like this. I used to think football was all I needed, and an occasional night to hang with the guys, but this—being a dad, being hers—it’s everything I never knew I needed.
“That’s the last of them, little man,” Mom tells Camden.
“All gone,” he says.
“Yep, you opened them all.” Nancy grins at him.
My dad catches my eye, and I nod before looking at Carl and doing the same thing.
“Did we get pictures?” Carl asks.
“Oh! Pictures. I got a ton of him opening presents, but none of all of us.” Sloane climbs to her feet and hands her dad her phone. “Do you mind taking a few? We can all take turns, and then I’ll set the timer on my phone so we can all get a few shots together.”
“Sure, sweetheart.”
“Cam,” I call quietly to my son. He comes rushing over. “It’s time to change your shirt,” I tell him. He nods and lifts his arms; we pull off his Christmas sweater, leave on his undershirt, and pick him up. “Us first,” I tell Sloane, and she comes to stand next to me. I wrap my arm around her and move Camden to my hip as we smile for the camera.
“How about one of Cam standing in front of the two of you?” Nancy suggests.
“Sure.” I shrug, like this hasn’t been planned for weeks. I place Camden on his feet, and he faces the camera.
