"Always."
It's the end of our roommate era, but never the end of us.
Pulling into the driveway of my new home, I watch Jamie get out of his car too. I haven't spoken to them much today, but we've all been busy so that just means they get a surprise when they realize I've brought my last bag here.
Smiling through the windshield, I turn the car off and grab my stuff. Instead of coming to me or going right into the house, Jamie opens the back door and takes out his own duffle too.
When he stands upright and I'm out of the car, we lock eyes. With just one look, I know he's made the same choice as me. I love that we did this on our own, and it feels like fate that we're completing it by sharing this experience together.
Smiling, I start up the drive, and he falls into step with me. Both of us are quiet and I can't stop myself from turning to him with my hand on the door handle.
I love him. Beginning a new chapter in my life feels right when he's beside me. I ache to find Nate and Ellis and hold them forever, but first...
"Ready?" I whisper.
Jamie tucks a hair behind my ear while his loose ones fly across his face in the summer breeze. "With you? I'm ready for anything."
Epilogue
VIOLET
Five Years later
As soon as I hear the car doors slam, it's all over. Jamie flings his bowl into the sink with gusto, and Nate literally drops the entire freaking egg into his bowl. Cracked shells and all.
All the help I had sprints for the freaking door without a backward glance. "Really?!" I shout, but the grin pulling my lips up makes it obvious I'm not upset.
Their excitement and enthusiasm is amazing. It's a whole freaking experience watching two large dominant men shove each other around trying to get to the front door before the other. Wiping my hands on a rag, I lean against the wall and watch their faces light up.
"Aren't they adorable, Bubbles?" Ellis wraps his arm around me from behind. Sighing contentedly, I give him some of my weight and enjoy the show.
"It never gets old," I comment and giggle as Nate and Jamie fall to their knees when a blonde cutie rushes into our house.
"NATE! JAMIE!" Pure joy comes barreling into our house.
Nate grins over my sister’s head at Jamie in a way that saysshe said my name first, sucker!
Mom's men scoot into the house behind the happily squealing four and a half year old with her bags for the weekend. Mom squeezes past everyone and aims right for me.
"Hi, sweetheart," she says, hugging me. "Thank you so much. We'll be back Sunday to pick her up."
Her blue hair tickles my nose but I love it anyway. Watching her raise a child is a beautiful opportunity I never knew I wanted. Plus, while I know my sister is obsessed with her favorite brothers-in-law, she loves me the most. She's my little mini me.
"SISSY!" the terror in question screeches and barrels into me.
"Careful, little one," Ellis coos and stabilizes me. He ruffles her blonde hair that was definitely in pigtails at some point today.
Bending, I lift her up and set her on my hip. Her sticky fingers grab my cheeks and smoosh my lips together. "Glowing," she compliments me.
Giggling, I tickle my nose against hers. "Thank you, sissy," I coo with a big grin just for her.
Mom cringes at whatever snack goop is stuck to my cheeks and pries her daughter’s hands off my face. "So she just woke up. You may have your hands full."
"I just woke up too," I wink at the little girl in my arms.
"Oh!" She wiggles to get down, and I let her. "So Raven is awake too?" With so much concentration, she squints at my rounded tummy.
A kick in the rib makes me wince. "Put your hand here, Opal," I whisper and pull her tiny hand up to feel my baby kick.
