I pulled Anna against me and rested my chin on the top of her head. “Yes, ma’am.”
I can’t wait to meet you in person.
“Same.” I laughed.“Do you think she’ll like me?”
“She’s going to love you.”
“Would she really haunt me?”
“Without a doubt.”
I pressed a kiss to the top of Anna’s head, not the least bit worried about future occult encounters. Loving her was the easiest thing I’d ever done. “Good thing I’m going to treat you like a queen.”
She snuggled against my chest. “You already do.”
Sweet Anna, before I go, I didn’t want to miss another chance to tell you how much I love you. Maybe I never got to be a wife, but being your mom was the honor of my life.
Anna pressed a hand to her heart as she blinked back tears.
I have a feeling whoever your young man is, being your husband will be the honor of his.
“Facts.” I wrapped my arms around her waist.
Never doubt your worth, sweetheart. And never doubt my love. It is ever-present, everlasting, and spans eternity. Nothing could ever change that.
“I won’t,” she whispered. “Love you too.”
I’m sure you two are itching to get to it. While you’re at it, do me a favor and make Lemon and Silas grandparents as young as possible. Haha.
Anna shook with laughter.
And please tell your kiddos all about me. I know you will. I’ll be their guardian angel from here. And yours. I promise.
Isniffed at that. Man, I wished I could’ve known this woman.
All my love to you both, and heavenly wishes for a wonderful life together.
All to pieces,
Momma
“All to pieces,” we said at the same time.
Anna set the letter carefully down. Then she turned, her eyes wet. As I wiped her tears away, she wiped mine. I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
“Well,” she said, smiling up at me. “You heard the lady. Let’s get to it.”
It was all the permission I needed.
epilogue 2
ANNA
Istood in the bathroom off of Blue’s and my bedroom, in our Kansas City home, trying to talk myself out of puking. I exhaled slowly, trying to focus on figuring out a way to tell Blue we were having another baby. I mean, he was going to be out of his mind thrilled. He loved kids. Especially the two we already had. Twins, Blaze and Belle. But this wasn’t a planned pregnancy.
A boy and a girl was perfect. We’d repopulated ourselves on the first try and that was enough for me. We’d just gotten them into kindergarten. For the first time since graduating from vet school, I’d finally been able to work an actual part-time job. Up until two months ago, I’d only been able to take night shifts at the emergency clinic here and there. With Blue’s crazy schedule, traveling all over the country during football season and training during the offseason, that had been my only option. And now we’d be starting over from scratch. Still, there was a part of me that was excited. Having babies with Blue was my dream come true. Just like being a vet. I just wished it wasn’t so hard to do it all.
Knock, knock. Blue rapped on the door. “You okay, babe? You’ve been in there a long time.”
