Elle and Ms. St. Patrick continued to finish the kitchen. “Need any help?”
“No,” Elle answered first. “We’ve never done fireworks here. Only in Dallas with Grandma.”
“I can’t wait.” Ms. St. Patrick rubbed her hands together. “My son is such a stickler about rules at the weirdest times. I’m glad you bought them.”
Soon, we were outside, in awe as the fireworks burst into the air, joining the other families who chose to ignore the possibility of a fine. We were all smiling and laughing in the cool air as we all took turns lighting them.
His presence warmed me before his arms slid around me. I eagerly leaned into him as he whispered, “I’m sorry, and I love you.”
Ms. St. Patrick looked back at us and gave us a thumbs-up.
Carter chuckled. “You might be the only woman she’d ever approved of this easily.”
“Or maybe she just wants her son to be happy.”
He kissed the side of my face. “What did Darren tell you about me at the gala?”
“I was wondering when you would ask.” I glanced back at him. “She told me to hold on to you because you’re a good man. And I plan to forever and ever.”
“Forever is a mighty long time.” Carter teased. “I’m up for it, if you are.”
Together, we continued watching his boys ignite fireworks and run around like young children, while his mother and daughter laughed at their antics.
And at the stroke of midnight, we kissed.
Excited for the new year and for the rest of our story.
Epilogue
Two Years Later
Brooklyn
“Ireally think we need to change it up this year.” Carter had my feet in his lap, massaging them while we lounged on the sectional. The twinkling lights from the Christmas tree in the corner of the media room at his condo created an array of colors bouncing off the walls. I’d finished a long day at a low-income women’s clinic where I practiced prenatal care, taught safe sex classes, and helped bring babies into the world. I never returned to my residency. I didn’t need to. Although I liked the ER, I loved bringing life into the world, and after finally releasing the pain of being a jilted bride-to-be, I returned to my true passion.
I shook my head vehemently. “No. Charlie Brown every year. You want turkey for dinner, then we have Charlie Brown.”
“Turkey is the staple of Thanksgiving dinner,” He argued.
“I prefer chicken, and I don’t mind cooking it if you don’t want to. In fact, I can stay up late to thaw it out and prepare it for tomorrow.”
Carter loved turkey as much as I preferred chicken and scowled. “Fine, Charlie Brown it is.”
“The twins are on the way. They got stuck on campus taking exams.” Sekani walked into the room holding his little sister, Brianna. He was almost finished with his first semester at UCLA, where his older siblings attended. He and Ethyn lived together in their apartment once he graduated from high school, and Joi moved back to Houston. Maybe because he was the first ofCarter’s children that I met, or that he had ambitions of being a doctor himself, we seemed to gel the most.
“She’s big enough to walk. Between you and your daddy, she’s so spoiled,” I complained and wiggled my feet. “Don’t stop, Carter.”
“The twins spoil her, too.” Sekani retorted, which was the absolute truth. They all loved their baby sister. The age gap helped deter any jealousies, and Brianna could have anything she wanted around them. I had to be the bad cop, or she would grow up rotten.
As expected, as soon as she spotted Carter, my chocolate sugar baby fought to leave Sekani’s arms and claimed, “Da Da, I’m sleepy.”
He grinned and beckoned her to him. Sekani put her down. “Traitor.”
“Guess, my massage is over,” I whined and pushed to sit up.
Her chubby legs carried her to Carter, who scooped her up, and she happily rested on his chest until her eyes closed. I shook my head at the two of them. From birth, they had bonded. He’d been overjoyed to have another girl who was his flesh and blood, and we both decided one child would be enough. Our demanding schedules at our respective clinics dictated it so.
As he predicted, Carter had put a baby in me before the ring. We were married in his backyard in a very small ceremony while I was six months pregnant. We didn’t have a bridal party. It was simple and elegant and uniquely us. Surrounded by our families, including Grey and Darren.
