Epilogue

Three Years Later:

I glanced down, straightening my robe. My stomach was in knots as I waited for my name to be called. It was a big day not only for me but also for those I loved. My eyes drifted over the crowd, my heart stuttering at the glimpse of familiar faces.

"Yo, Willow! Are you going to come out with us tonight for some celebratory drinks?"

I turned to smile and shake my head at my fellow graduates. "Sorry, guys. I have plans with my family."

My family.

I wanted to wrap myself up with those two words. It was four years to the day that I'd crossed a similar stage and received another diploma. But my life couldn't have been more different than it was back in Atkins.

This time there was no dread from wondering if I'd have anyone present to cheer for my success. This time I didn't have any longing in my heart for my own loved ones in the crowd. This time I didn't have the uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring. This time my family was there. All of them.

After William's birth, Nicholas and I had made our planned move up to the Nanticoke house. Laura joined us, along with John. It was nice. Peaceful. A quiet time after our first year together had been plagued by so much drama.

My thoughts were broken when my name was announced, and I crossed the stage to the sound of thunderous applause. I couldn't hide the grin on my face as I shook the Dean's hand and took my diploma.

I was officially a college graduate.

A few tears spilled as the familiar yells of "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" reached my ears. I could pick out my son's voice from anywhere.

On my walk back off the stage, I turned to find my little William waving, held high in the arms of his grinning father. A giggle burst from my lips at the sight of them, both dressed in identical suits, each with their crazy hair sticking out all over.

William was almost a spitting image of Nicholas, down to the unruly cowlicks, and he loved to remind everyone how much he was like his daddy.

My fingers trailed over my stomach, the secret surprise I had for them heavy in my mind.

When Nicholas had expressed his desire to devote most of his energy to his home and family, I had my doubts about how long it would last. He was such a workaholic when we met that it seemed implausible he wouldn't eventually grow bored from lack of stimuli. I figured after a certain amount of time, he'd want to delve back into RHI. But I was wrong.

He had continued to help out Francis and Geoffrey, but he did almost all of his business from home. We ventured down to the city often, but it was mostly to attend shows, go shopping, or see our friends. Nicholas seemed completely content with his decision to be a stay-at-home dad.

And I used the opportunity to finish what I'd set out for when I left Atkins. Every semester I took full course loads, including some summer sessions, and completed my bachelor's degree in psychology in three and half years.

Watching the way Nicholas was with our son, so devoted and attentive, it was easy to wonder why we hadn't had more than one child at this point. Following William's birth, I probably would have gone along if Nicholas had wanted to immediately try for more children.

Oddly enough, it was Nicholas who suggested we wait.

It took my body a while to fully recover from the surgery, as well as the injury during my pregnancy, and Nicholas thought it would be best if we put off having more kids for some time. His worry about my health trumped his desire for more children.

Instead, he asked me to focus on my aspirations. So I did. Despite my shaky first semester at QCU, the last three years at a college thirty minutes from my new house were more in line with what I envisioned my college experience to be. It gave me a sense of accomplishment to have seen my education through to the end.

But baby fever had hit me hard recently, and I had been off the pill for almost six months now. Every month I would take a pregnancy test, hoping to see those lines telling me another child was on the way.

It was only this morning that I finally got my wish, and I couldn't wait to spread the news.

As soon as the ceremony was over, I ran over to hug and kiss everyone. Clara and Jefferson were first to grab me and congratulate me, followed by Laura. John tipped his head with a smile, and Virgil teased me about taking long enough. Courtney and Geoffrey—who had been married less than a year—were all smiles and praise. Sarah kissed my cheeks, looking happy about my success.

Lory almost tackled me. "Can you believe we did it?"

I pulled back, taking in her sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks. Her graduation had been the previous weekend, along with her engagement. After two and a half years of on-again, off-again with Francis, they finally broke up. Lory met a postgraduate student in her department, fell in love, and had a whirlwind romance. A few months in, she had accepted his marriage proposal.

"We did!" I hugged her again, my sister who had been through everything with me. "I'm so proud of you."

"Of us," she said with a laugh. "And now it's time to party."

I chuckled and nodded. Nicholas had arranged for a combined graduation party for us at our place before we were all to spend the next week relaxing at the vacation house.

I finally reached my boys, William squirming around in Nicholas' arms and reaching for me.

"Mommy! I've been waiting too long!"

I laughed and grabbed him. "You have?" I groaned a little, balancing his weight. "You're almost getting too big for me to hold anymore." I poked him in the stomach. "How many pancakes did you eat this morning?"

He held up four fingers. "Three!"

Nicholas laughed and pushed his pinky down, leaning in to kiss me. "Congratulations."

I hummed against his mouth until Willian interrupted. "Now kiss me!"

I gave him kisses all over his face until he was squealing and laughing, and Nicholas had to take him again after he'd wiggled out of my hold.

"Hey, buddy. You're going to ride with grandma and grandpa to the house. Okay?"

That was always okay with William because grandpa liked to give him presents and grandma liked to give him candy. I watched as he took off with them, each of his hands in one of theirs.

"Are you ready to go?" William asked, putting his arm around me. I nodded, nervous again the closer we got to the car. Was it the right time to spill the beans? I didn't know how much longer I could keep it in. I couldn't wait to see his face when I told him.

"Is something wrong?" he asked after we'd reached the passenger side of the new car. "You're being awfully quiet."

I shook my head and took off my robe, giving him a smile. It was starting to get too warm with all the layers on.

Before I could say anything more, he had me pressed against the car, his kisses demanding. His tongue slid along mine, sending a straight shot of voltage right through the middle of me. I moaned when his hands moved down my waist, to my hips, and back to cup my ass. His lips moved to my ear.

"You know what these dresses do to me." Yeah, Cocky Junior wasn't shy about letting me know his intentions, especially since he was currently poking me in the stomach. It was too bad we were in a parking lot, surrounded by crowds of people, or I might have let him take me right there against the car. Nicholas' hips ground into me slowly. "I want to bend you over the hood right now and fuck you until you can't remember your name."

Holy shit. He was in one of that kind of moods. It would make for an interesting party when we got home.

I bit my lip, sliding my hands up his chest. "We're making a scene."

"I don't care."

I laughed. "How about you take me home, and I promise you can have me any way you want."

His hands gripped me tighter. "Any way I want?"

"Yes."

"Fuck. You don't even know all the things going through my head right now."

I had a pretty good idea about his perverted mind at this point.

"Come on. Let's go home." I was just as turned on as he was at this point. "I have something I want to talk with you about."

He pulled back a little, his eyebrows raised as he watched me. "Am I in trouble? I haven't left the toilet seat up in a long time."

I laughed again, pushing him away and shaking my head while getting in the car. He settled in the driver's seat, curiosity written all over his face. We were on the road for a few minutes before he couldn't hold it in anymore. "Tell me."

He had less patience than William.

"I've been thinking about what I want to do with my degree."

He nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "Are you still interested in counseling for kids who have lost their parents?"

"Yes, but I was also thinking about doing something bigger. Like maybe I could start a foundation or offer scholarships for those who were in similar situations to mine when I was in high school."

He glanced at me, smiling. "That's a great idea. Kind of a pay it forward deal."

It never made me happier than when Nicholas understood me. There was nobody's opinion I held in higher regard than his. And he was exactly right in his description. I had been so blessed in my life and really felt the need to give something back.

Like coming full circle.

"Do you think your mother would be interested in helping me?"

"Absolutely. I'd like to help out too."

I loved this man. I rubbed my stomach and took a deep breath. "Another reason I'm interested in starting a foundation is because I could do a lot of the work from home."

He grinned. "So you can stay with me all the time?"

I chuckled. "Not exactly."

He looked over, his eyebrows furrowed. "Why then?"

We were pulling onto our drive, and I waited for him to stop the car. He jumped out and came around to my side, pulling me up.

"Why?"

I placed my hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating like a rabbit. His excitement made me wonder if he already had an inkling of what news I was about to tell him.

"What do you want most in the whole world?"

"For you and William to be happy."

This man was going to make me all mushy. "Okay, what's next on the list?"

His eyes bored into mine, almost like he was searching or hoping to find the answer. Like he was afraid to tell me what he truly wanted.

When he hesitated, I continued. "Do you know what I want most?"

"What?"

"To see you holding another baby."

He kissed me, his next words soft. "I want that too."

I couldn't hold it in any longer. "I'm pregnant."

His lips curved into a smile against mine. "Really?"

I nodded and laughed when he buried his face in my neck and left a trail of tingling kisses along my skin. My mind was filled with images of Nicholas, one of his arms filled with William, and the other holding our daughter. I had a feeling I was going to have a girl this time.

"We should go in. You know they'll all be out here after us in a minute."

We walked toward the door hand-in-hand, Nicholas stopping at the top of the steps. "Can I tell them?" he asked, his eyes bright and his grin lopsided.

I squeezed his hand. "Yes, you should tell them."

Like I could deny him. Damn man always got his way.

.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Rowe. How are my favorite parents today?"

I smiled at Dr. Whitney, holding onto the hand of a very nervous Nicholas. We'd initially gone to another OB closer to home to confirm the pregnancy, but it had been too early for an ultrasound. We both decided we wanted to return to Dr. Whitney since she'd taken such good care of us last time.

"I'm good, but she's been throwing up all day, every day. That can't be normal." Nicholas' other hand gripped his hair.

It was true. This pregnancy was manifesting with much stronger symptoms than I'd had with William and Nicholas was a frazzled mess of worry.

Dr. Whitney laughed. "No two pregnancies are the same. Let's go ahead and take a look."

Nicholas and I watched the screen and listened to the heartbeat, while Dr. Whitney moved the paddle around on my belly.

She stopped and turned her head toward us. Nicholas squeezed my hand, and I held my breath waiting for her to say something. But neither of us expected the next words out of her mouth.

“How do you feel about triplets?”