Epilogue 2: Union

**Chrissy** 

Now my mind is actually reeling non-stop about the news. But… nothing beats a get-together.

“It's this weekend, baby. We have to kill it!” said Dayle, excitement washing over him as he steadily rose, ruffling his hair while typing away. 

“Yeah!” I grinned. “I'm gonna call Ken right away,” I said, grabbing my cell phone. 
By now, our baby had fallen asleep and I was finally free to stretch a foot. 

I signaled Dayle to keep it low as he nodded tiptoeing upstairs. 

I lay our baby in her cradle, nicely tucked, and headed out of the living room, my bare feet touching the lawn. 

The tingling feeling lingered under my feet as I dialed Ken through FaceTime.
As if he had been waiting, it connected.

“Have you heard? Hemsville’s is having a get-together?” he asked, curiosity piquing his tone before I could utter a word. 

“I was going to tell you but I forgot that you literally hear everything before I do,” I snapped, earning his sarcastic grin. 

“Can’t blame me, I just know a lot who hear a lot of things!” he bragged. “Seriously, are you showing up? Besides, you are one of the hosts—you and Dayle…” he said as my lips pursed. 

“Well, I have to. I'm nursing my baby and—”

“Before you lay your excuses, I will babysit our angel while you run around. I can always tag along to set up the venue and all,” he offered, his gaze was soft and emphatic. 

“You are too much! I really don't want to interfere with your schedules, Ken! I'm not the first lactating on earth,” I said, kicking an imaginary pebble. 

Ken chuckled, “I opted to help, you didn't ask. I know you'd never ask and that's why I offered to help,” he pressed, rendering me speechless. 

“Alright. You win. Thanks, honey!” I snapped with a grin, rubbing my neck.

“Guess who texted?” he probed with his eyes. 

My brows tilted, unable to make a guess. 

“Arianna!”

“Wait, Arianna?” I asked, my eyes widening with shock. “Didn't she leave you for a college dude after we graduated?” I asked while he rolled his eyes lazily, a bit of sadness flashing and disappearing instantly. 

“The one!” he snapped. “She wants to hang out and… you know... talk, like every shitty ex tries to do after they've had their share of the shit in relationships,” he snapped while I cracked up, holding my chest. 

“This is you being petty... real!” 

“At least you mentioned the ‘real’ part. But... I'm gonna hang out with her. It's understandable since I looked like a freaking thin kid after graduation. With these abs and muscles in check,” he dramatically flaunted them, making me laugh all the way more. “I'd be willing to torture her with it. When she sees me, she'll fall in love again. I'm never taking her back,” he proudly said, drinking from a bottle of apple juice. 

“You rock, baby! And are you gonna tell her? About you and Matt?” I asked, my brows wringing slightly. 

He shrugged lightly, looking away then looked back at me. “Does she deserve an explanation about what my life is at the moment?” he asked me back, a slice of disappointment coursing through his tone as I sighed. 

“No need!” I added. “Then, how's Matt?” I asked, I guess it was only reasonable to ask about him for the umpteenth time. 

“Okay honey, I'll drive over to you soon. I want to see my angel before my day gets totally ruined...” he snapped. 

I huffed, “You keep shoving the question, Ken, c’mon!” I let out with slight frustration. 

“I’ll see you soon!” he blew me a kiss and forced a smile then hung up. 

Now, Ken is really pissed. Maybe I asked too much but how long would he keep me in the dark? I asked myself. 

I shook my head lightly, walking back into the building and locking the door. 

I headed up and bumped into Dayle, who was about to leave the room. 

“Hey, wifey! Where are you headed?” he asked me as my eyes scrutinized him. He had taken a shower and dressed in a white shirt, sneakers, and a beige round-neck t-shirt. His hair was laid back, and his accessories were in the right places. 

My man was stunning. He was hot and sexy. 

“Let them know you're married out there, babe!” I said, crossing my arms and pouting. 

Dayle smiled, leaning towards me. 
“Is that another name for jealousy?” he teased as my lips formed a shy smile and my arms loosened and wrapped his neck gently. “The world knows that I’m married to a gem, they can't pretend and im not going to do anything that would break our union and love, baby!” he assured me as if he knew that I needed to hear that. 

A smile creased my lips as we shared a deep, lingering kiss that could lead back into the bedroom I don't make a move. 

I gently pulled away and asked, “Where are you headed, hubby?” My voice is calm and sultry. 

“A meeting about the get-together. I got a text from the team! I wanted you to come along but I thought about our baby. And… you might just turn it down today,” he said.

He was right anyway. 

“True, but I would’ve agreed to go with you!”

“You need to rest, my love. It's not an easy feat taking care of a baby and I. I'll be back soon and I'll FaceTime you from time to time to check in!” he assured. 

“Alright! I called Ken, he's coming over. Do you mind?” I chimed in. 

“Nah! It's fine! He's been helpful and super supportive and I guess … we have nothing to worry about, right?” he asked, slightly knitting his brows. 

“Yup!” I snapped with a smile as we strutted downstairs. 

He agreed to buy us dinner on his way back and I agreed to it. 

We shared one last kiss after he dropped a kiss on the baby’s forehead. Dayle left. 

…
Some time later, Ken and I were talking about his relationships. 
We talked at length, cleaned up my baby, and even got to shower while he was in the living room, cooing her to sleep. 

Afterward, we made lunch and ate. Dayle and I spoke during intervals.
“Ken,” I called out calmly, eating from my bowl of cereal. I can't stop eating when the baby literally sucks me dry. “I really think you should come clean. I mean, set the bar straight. It has to be Matt or Ana!” I finally concluded after all the countless scenarios of his arguments with Ana and Matt on different occasions. 

“I'm trying to decide, Chrissy,” he said out of frustration as he rubbed his face across. 

“It's either Ana or Matt or none. Although I strongly recommend none,” 

“Ana is an angel,”

“Yet she knew that you knew Matt and let you fall in? Was it a test or what? From all that you've said, she's guilty. Somehow!” I stated firmly. “And Matt? I'm not sure he wants to settle down. The vibe isn't what you want, Ken.” I said putting down my empty bowl on the table. I took his hand in mine, his gaze was pensive. “You are my best friend and I hate to see you unhappy. If anything, I know that you're good. At figuring everything out…” I said as he narrowed his gaze at me swiftly. 

“Yet I lost control over the situation…” he snapped. 

“Don't beat yourself to it, Ken. All you have to do is think carefully scout what sbd who you want. You'll find someone special and I don't mind if we share a fence too!” I teased but deep down, I wished so badly that my fairytale would come true. 

“Aren’t you the best bitch ever?!” he glanced at me with a smug smile. 

“I sure am,” I snapped as we shared a quick hug, our laughter escalating mildly. 

…
*The D-Day.*

The hall was filled with ex-students of the year 2020 and a few other guests from Hemsville. 

What beat I imagined that every single person turned up. Dazzling and a bit questionable to some extent. 
How do I mean? I'll tell you. 

Given that I’m part of the planners and hosts, I saw everyone dash in elegantly. 

It kinda got me when I saw Lauren, the ultimate baddie that year, 

Now she has five kids before age 27. 

Surprising? Yes. 

We exchanged a warm hug and we talked lightly. We've never been close and so we only found it mature to speak with each other. After that pig’s blood incident, I can't forget it. 

I saw Shauna, the freaky swimmer. She was still unmarried. When we greeted each other, she very much maintained eye contact with me and I could tell why. 

No one believed that Dayle and I would get married or even have a baby together. 

The party was still bustling with so much life as Ken told me that Ellen had just come in with her man. The man I was yet to meet. 

Like after two years of losing contact, I got to see her now. She was standing before me in a short blue sequin dress, her hair flowing nicely. 

“How long has it been? Two years?” she let out with a grin as I reciprocated. 

“Sure! You ghosted without a word!” I confessed bluntly yet keeping a smile. 

She rubbed her neck with guilt, her man—someone around his early forties—maintained a smile too. 

Anyway, life isn't about talking all day right? At least, I knew who my true friends were. Even Max Norman was married with two kids already. So yeah, it's nothing really.

Suddenly, someone made a grand entry with lots of soldiers as bodyguards, her hips swaying in her tight dress with glittery Fendi shades and YSL heels.

Someone I didn't think or imagine that I would see.