“And half you,” she responded.
Epilogue
Shane—Ten years later
Shane left the meeting feeling confident. He gained another major hotel chain as a client, which meant he’d have to add at least 120 security personnel to his roster. Life was good. Anna was flat out at home but was working with Madame Celeste to develop a succession plan. The old ballerina had finally decided it was time to hang up the slippers and offered to sell the studio to Anna. At first, she’d been reluctant. They had four kids and life was insanely busy. But their parents were very active grandparents, and were thrilled at the thought of pitching in. Eventually, Anna became excited about the idea, nominating Mel as a manager until she could spend more time at work.
Damon, their firstborn, was a responsible boy and Anna’s righthand man. Seth was less helpful. He was chaotic and loved a good dare. It felt like he took up 75% of their parenting, but he was an amazing child, full of passion and energy. Caleb was their third child, a very serious little boy and an amazing dancer. Anna swore he was going to be a champion. Finally, little Ivy was their surprise bundle of joy. After Caleb, Shane had a vasectomy. Anna had declared herself done, and he was more than happy with his three boys. Turns out, if your wife gets drunk on cocktails a week after a vasectomy, and you don’t take precautions, you’ll have another baby. There was no disappointment or nerves. They were happy about their little surprise and Ivy was doted on by her big brothers.
Married life wasn’t perfect for anyone, and they were no exception. They had periods of boredom or tiredness, especially when the babies came. Anna’s pregnancy with Ivy had given her months of nausea so quality time had been rare. Despite the challenges, they always found themselves chatting at night before they went to sleep. They cooked together, shoppedtogether, and found peace playing with the kids on the ranch. There were arguments about parenting and working hours, but they were always resolved with no grudges. Hugs were an important thing in the Morgan house, and even at their most tired, they made time to lay together on the sofa after the kids were in bed.
Lost in his thoughts, Shane opened the glass door and left the building, holding the door for an extra few seconds when he saw a man approach.
“Thanks mate,” the man said. Mason!
They looked at each other before Mason cleared his throat and spoke.
“Shane, how are you? How’s Anna?” he asked.
“She’s good. Four kids and her dance studio keep her pretty busy, but you know Anna, she’s a ball of energy,” Shane answered.
“That’s great, man. That’s great.” Mason looked down at his hands. He was carrying a briefcase. He looked older, but then, so did Shane. They were both in their 40s at this point. Mason wore almost obscenely tight dress pants and pointy black shoes, the clothes of a man in his 20s. His hair was thinning, and Shane swore the long, swept look was a poorly disguised combover. Thinning hair was a thing in your 40s. Shane had not escaped its cruel clutches, but Anna said his clipped, thinning hair was “distinguished and hot,” much like he found her soft little post-children belly endearing.
“How have you been?” Shane forced himself to ask.
“Good, yeah. Good. I’ve got a daughter, Olivia. She’s two.”
“Congratulations,” Shane responded.
“She’s great. I’m not with her mom anymore but I see Olivia all the time,” he answered. The silence grew. Just as Shane was about to say his goodbyes and politely walk away, Mason grabbed his arm.
“I just wanna say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did. My wife left me when my daughter was eight months old. She had someone else. Had him for a few months. I know how it feels, and it’s fucked. I worked on myself a lot after Anna left me, but I … it still didn’t hit me how much it would hurt, how much it would always hurt, so I’m sorry,” Mason said, his tone sincere.
“It was a long time ago, and I really can’t be sorry about how things worked out but thank you. I appreciate the apology.”
“I ran into April last year,” Mason said. “We still cross paths occasionally at conferences and work events.”
“I don’t really care. Haven’t heard about her in years,” Shane mused.
“Well, Anna will probably be interested. Tell her that April is on her fourth marriage. Anna would enjoy that. She got drunk at the last conference and asked me to come to her room for ‘old times sake.’ Of course, I said no. She was still wearing her wedding ring when she asked … it felt so wrong,” Mason confessed.
“Okay. I gotta go. Look after yourself,” Shane said. He didn’t need Mason’s life story. Or April’s.
“Yeah, me too. I have a date tonight.” Mason smiled like he was excited, but his face just looked tired.
Shane felt no animosity toward this man. It was all in the past. He had his Tinkerbell, and while the path to her had caused pain and misery, he really couldn’t be sad about it given the outcome.
“I never sold the ring,” Mason blurted. “At first it was that I didn’t want to let her go. But then … I don’t know. It was like a reminder. To be a good person. Just … don’t take anything for granted. Remember what you have,” Mason pleaded, looking every one of his 40 something years.
“Bye Mason.” Shane walked to his car.
By the time he got home, Anna and the kids were sitting around a bonfire with his parents. He sat next to her, pulling her into his side.
“Saw Mason today. He’s got a kid,” Shane said.
“That’s great for him. I hope he’s making something of his life,” Anna replied, her tone neither happy nor unhappy.
“I’ll fill you in more later. Bonfire, huh?”
