Page 96 of Man Flu

Epilogue

Six months later

THE MOVING TRUCK PULLS up outside, and I take the deepest breath I’ve taken in a long time. “I know this is hard,” Logan says.

“This is where Cora’s life began,” I tell him.

“You’ll always have your memories, but it’s time for something new. This is healthy for all of you,” Logan says as he places his hand on my slightly swollen belly—the miracle he was told he’d never experience. The miracle I wasn’t sure I needed in my life until the moment we found out. That’s when everything in my life fell into place. A family—what I never wanted to lose and what Logan has always wanted to have.

When I returned from Florida last fall, I told Rick we needed to be farther away from each other. The arrangement wasn’t working, and it was causing unnecessary stress and discontent in my life. I wanted to start something new with Logan, and I didn’t need Rick’s influence in that. I also didn’t want two sets of spying eyes watching it from next door.

It wasn’t an easy transition, going through the process of selling the house and packing up ten-years-worth of belongings, but today feels like a fresh start, and I am I’m ready. I deserve it.

“I can’t wait to live on top of the mall!” Cora shrieks.

“You know that doesn’t mean we’re going to be shopping every day, right?” I tell her.

“Uh, yes it does,” she replies with a giggle. “I need to buy so many toys and clothes for my baby sister, Mom.” Cora’s world is bright and full of love, happiness, and excitement.

I was worried she’d miss the house she grew up in, but I’m glad she isn’t upset about that or moving twenty minutes away from Rick. Cora was forced to grow up quickly while dealing with this divorce at four and five years old, and I’m grateful for her current understanding. Whether it will always be that way or not, I don’t know, but for now, I hope I’m doing what’s best for her.

“They’ve got everything handled from here,” Logan says. “Let’s get over to the condo so we’re there when they arrive with your stuff.”

I take one last look around, mentally shutting off the light switch. It’s time for the next chapter with Logan, Cora, and baby-girl Dickle.

As we arrive at Logan’s condo, we take the few personal belongings we packed in his truck with us up to the penthouse. One thing I never considered about Logan was the lifestyle he was accustomed too. He isn’t showy, but he knows where to spend his money, and he does so with sense and style. It’s like a dream here in this open space with views on all sides of the condo. Plus, the best part is the incredible man I get to start a new life with.

Cora is already dancing around her new room, and I’m taking in a fresh breath of new air.

“Cora,” Logan says with child-like excitement in his voice. “What do you think? Do you like what I did?”

I don’t know what he’s talking about so I head down the hall to her room and peek inside. “Holy crap.” He decorated her room to look like a princess’s castle—it’s a bedroom any little girl would dream of.

“This is all mine?” Cora asks. “Will I be sharing it with baby Dickle?”

“You told her that name?” I ask Logan.

“No, I did not. She must have heard you. I don’t think I’ve called our daughter by that ridiculous name, Hannah.” Logan laughs, pointing his raised brow at me. “Maybe you should just call your sister ‘baby girl’ until we have a real name for her.”

“No, I like Dickle,” Cora laments.

Logan lowers his head and laughs a little more. “Anyway, this room is all yours, sweetie,” Logan tells her.

Cora runs into Logan’s arms, and he lifts her up and swings her around before placing her on top of the castle that has a gated play area with a small table and a tea-party setting. “I love it!”

“Watch this,” Logan says. He climbs beneath the platform, and his head pops up through a hole. He rises up a foot and rests his elbows on the little table. “I’m too big to climb up, so I made a different entrance so your mom and I can join you for your tea parties.” Cora covers her mouth and giggles so hard her eyes squint shut. “I have one more question too …”

“Whatever it is, the answer is yes,” Cora says.

We’ll need to work on that as she gets older.

He leans over and whispers in her ear, and Cora says, “My answer is still yes.”

“Okay, good.” Logan disappears from the hole he climbed through and doesn’t pop back out from underneath the castle’s platform for a long minute.

I don’t know what he’s doing, but my phone’s buzzing in my back pocket. Probably Alan wondering why I decided to take a personal day when I’m not sick or dying.

I turn on the display and find a Words With Friends notification. What the heck?