A/N: Here it is…the final chapter. Everything will be tied up today! It's been a pleasure writing for ya'll, and it warms me everyday to know that there are people out there who read my work. I love the positive feedback. Keep an eye out on other stories that I come up with! I love you all so much, and please, keep reviewing! Plus, the name Kacie is a shout out to an old friend. A woman I've much respect for, and who always nurtured me! I know someone will pass it along to her! ;-)
Chapter 25
One year later
"Mariah! Sunshine! Come on! Ya'll are going to miss your bus!"
I shouted up the stairs. We had relocated to Mississippi, and Adam was starting a new life in Canada with a wonderful woman named Kacie and they were raising their newborn daughter Grace. I was holding my daughter, Masen close to me and I walked into the living room where our daughter Bailey was sitting, watching cartoons in her pajamas. I walked over to her and ruffled her hair.
"Bay, honey. Come on, I've gotta take you to school in a few minutes. Go upstairs and get dressed. Please?"
"Yes mama."
Bailey said. She kissed me and went upstairs. So much had happened over the past year, it was crazy. Ted and I got married, and then our Masen was born. Then Lila signed over any custody she had to Ted and I. She knew that Bailey would be better off with us. And she was. We'd moved into our own house right after the wedding, and that's when Adam came to us….
Eleven months previously:
We had finally just gotten settled. The move from Delaware to Mississippi was exhausting, but I couldn't convince him to come East with me. I was moving some things around in the kitchen when I heard a knock at the door. I put the napkin that I was wiping my hands on, on the counter and went to the back door. I opened it, and there was Adam. And he was standing there with Sunny and Mariah. After we exchanged hugs and Adam asked to come in, I sent the twins into the living room to play with Bailey.
"What brings you to Mississippi, Adam?"
"You. I have to talk to you, Cheryl. I've met someone."
I smiled. He'd had eyes for Kacie Cooper on my creative team for awhile now, but he'd never acted on it. I'd wondered if he'd actually acted on it. So, I poured him a cup of coffee, and myself a glass of water, and sat down.
"Did you FINALLY get the courage up to talk to Kacie?"
"You know Kacie?"
"Kacie Cooper is my assistant, Adam. Of course I know her. And she likes you, Adam."
"I'm sure. Anyway, we've been going out for awhile now, and I think you should know that I am planning to ask her to marry me. And, this is so hard for me. I'm going to start a new life with Kacie, and as much as I want them, I can't take them. I am here to tell you that I want you to take the girls. They're my daughters too, and I love them. But you, you're their mother. You deserve to have them. You've grown up, a lot Cheryl. And I can't believe that. So, I want you and Ted to take them. Raise them. I'll come see them, when I can."
I couldn't believe this. I hugged him and kissed his cheek softly. He was doing so many good things for himself, I couldn't process this. We broke the news to the girls, who were both excited and sad. Excited because they were going to live with Bailey, but sad, because they were leaving Adam. Then I called Ted. He was on the road. So, I knew he was either driving, at the gym, or in the air. I knew he had a ten am flight from Jackson to Seattle. So I called him and let him know what was going on. And then I gladly took the girls from Adam…
And that's how things happened. I watched as Mariah and Sunny came barreling down the stairs with Bailey in tow. I still had Masen in my arms and then I put her down in her playpen, before I sent the girls off to school.
"Now remember, Mariah your father will be on Skype with you and Sunny. So come right home after school. Bay, soccer practice is after school. Don't skip it! Your father should be home in time to pick you up, okay? I've got to take Masen to the doctor, so if I'm not here when you two get home, just stay here. No going to Ellie's like last time."
"Okay Mom!"
They said, as they ran out the door to the bus. I looked at Masen and realized just how lucky I was. I had four amazing daughters, a beautiful husband who loves me. I was getting ready to pour myself a cup of coffee when the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was him. So I answered it.
"Hi baby."
"Hey love. What are you doing?"
"I just got the girls off to their buses. Masen and I are just sitting here having coffee."
"Sounds nice. I'm running a little bit ahead of schedule."
I didn't know what that meant, running ahead of schedule but I figured he'd just be home that much earlier. I watched Masen get excited about something. I then felt two arms around my waist. I giggled and hung up the phone. He was home. And then I knew right there, that my whole life was complete. This moment in time, was the only thing I wanted. And nothing could stop us. And that's the way it should be.
-The End