“Holy shit,” I breathe, but it comes out reverent.
Her eyes widen. “Is that a good holy shit or a—”
I pull her against me, hand at the back of her neck, forehead against hers. “Best damn holy shit of my life, Katie.”
A squeal breaks between us—Evie’s—as she hops up and down behind our chairs. “A baby? A real baby? Can I help name it? Can it sleep in my room? Can we get bunk beds?”
Laughter ripples across the yard. Someone—probably Hattie—yells, “SAY CHEESE, NEWLYWEDS!” and a camera flash blinds us for a second. Kate leans into me, her hand resting on her stomach.
This backyard. This woman. This little girl. This tiny miracle I just learned about. My whole world, wrapped in purple ribbons and backyard chaos.
And as the applause dies down and Evie wraps her arms around both of us, I swear I’ve never been so damn sure of anything in my life. And in true Cedar Falls fashion, the whole town is right here watching the moment we start the rest of our lives.
Epilogue
Kate
Two Years Later
The house smells like rosemary chicken as Evie’s reading at the dining table, tongue poking out in fierce concentration, while her little brother, Luke, sits in his highchair, gleefully pounding his spoon against the tray.
“Cam,” I call from the kitchen, “you might want to come rescue these mashed potatoes before Luke turns them into finger paint.”
Cam’s already on his way, sleeves rolled to his elbows, grin easy and bright. “You can’t blame a man for loving his carbs,” he says,scooping up the spoon and wiping Luke’s face while our son giggles, utterly unbothered.
I lean against the counter for a moment just to take it in—our home, our life. The little slice of heaven on earth that we built together.
The doorbell rings, and in seconds, the place is alive with voices.
Brynn and Knox come in first, followed by Kinsey with a bottle of wine and a loaf of Penny’s cinnamon bread that’s still warm in its wrapper. Brynn’s already glowing, her hand linked through Knox’s as they make their way to the table.
“Dinner smells amazing,” she says. “I told Knox we should’ve gotten here earlier.”
Knox smirks. “We could’ve been here earlier if you didn’t insist on curling your hair.”
Kinsey drops the bread on the counter and grins. “You two are disgustingly cute. I need wine just to be around it.”
Cam sets Luke on his hip and hugs Brynn, clapping Knox on the shoulder, then turns to Kinsey. “Glad you made it. You brought the good wine this time, right?”
“Please,” Kinsey says, popping the cork with practiced ease. “You think I’d show up to this house empty-handed?”
The chatter and clinking of glasses carry through dinner—stories, teasing, Evie telling us about what the Borrowers stole in the last chapter she read. Every now and then, Cam reaches under the table to squeeze my hand, like he can’t help reminding me we made it here together.
When dessert’s done and everyone’s lingering in that happy, full lull, I glance at Cam. He gives me that small nod—the one that says ready?
I smile. “We actually have some news.”
The table quiets.
Cam takes my hand and looks around the room, his expression full of that same proud, steady warmth I fell for years ago. “We’re having another baby.”
The words land like a spark.
Brynn gasps, her hands flying to her face. “Oh my god, Kate!”
Kinsey’s already crying, waving her napkin. “I knew it! You were glowing, and I don’t say that lightly.”
Knox laughs, shaking his head. “I swear this town’s population is doubling because of you two.”
