Epilogue

Mia's Point of View

June 15, 2023 at 7:42am

I knocked rapidly on the door. Okay I pounded on it. Age didn't make me any more patient than when I was younger teenager.

"For Christ's sake, can't you two give it rest for one day? I need help here." I yelled. I heard muffled laughs and I grimaced, rolling my eyes.

My mom opened the locked…can we say 'ewww'…door with a patient look on her flushed face. Her hair was all mused and her night gown was on inside out.

"It is way too early to get ready now, Mia." She said, leaving the door opened and walking back into her room. I could hear Dad start the shower up.

"Morning Daddy." I yelled.

"Morning Mia." He called back.

I faced Mom who was making up the bed.

"And no, it is not too early. This is the most important event in my young life. I need everything to be perfect." I said.

"It will be." She said.

"This is a wonderful rite of passage and I just want to be doing something." I said, sitting on the half-made bed, hindering her progress. She sighed and shook her head at me.

"You have a nail appointment at ten and your hair appointment at noon. Lunch after that. Then what?" She asked.

"I don't know." I groaned. "Is Daddy getting Grandma?"

"Yes, he is dreading it." She said wryly.

I giggled.

Grandma Ellis scared Daddy. He said she didn't but we both knew better.

"I am glad that Grandma Carolyn came last week. She has been a Godsend with the finishing touches." I said. "Checklist?"

Mom groaned.

"Checklist." She confirmed.

"Aunt Amber, Uncle Jackson and Shelby?" I asked.

"Flight touched down last night. They will be over here after lunch."

"Aunt Mel?"

"Was in Portland an hour ago."

"Aunt Katie and Nancy are here already. Who does that leave?"

"Grandpa and Sue, Lexie, Molly and her family are all here and accounted for. Everyone you love will be here and accounted for. They wouldn't miss this for the world." She assured me.

"Okay. I am going to go pack up a few things. Meet me downstairs in an hour?" I asked.

"Of course." Mom said.

I looked in the long oval mirror. Standing before me was a grown-up woman, replacing the girl I thought myself to be. I was wearing white. White jewel encrusted shoes, a white long flowing dress, white veil. Pure white. Innocent.

Which is what I was going into this.

Jake and I had decided to wait before having sex, a fact that my parents were proud of. They would have been proud either way, but I knew my mom had struggled having me so young and I wanted more for myself. She wanted more for me.

The door opened, and my mom bustled through, a vision in cream silk. She didn't look thirty-nine and some days we could pass as sisters. Only if you looked really close could you see the beginnings of crow's feet.

"Okay everything is in place. They will be seating the grandparents in ten minutes, then Rebecca and I will light the candles then you will move into the foyer. Are you ready?" She asked, messing with some makeup.

"Mom, look at me." I said gently.

She sniffed and then looked at me, blinking rapidly, her eyes shining.

"I am only moving across town. You can see me all the time." I said.

She nodded and swiped at an errant tear that had fallen.

"I know. It's just been us for so long and then you, me and your Dad, and now it is me and your dad, and… you and Jake. And I don't know how to let you go." She sobbed.

I walked over and hugged her tightly.

"You never have to let me go. I couldn't last a day without you. Which is why we are never leaving Seattle. Which is why I will do my residency at Seattle Grace in four years. You will see me so much, you will be sick of me. I promise."

"I am just being emotional." She said. "You are so mature, so wise. How did I get so lucky?"

"I ask myself that same question about you every day."

A soft knock sounded at the door and Dad peeked his head in. He cast a concerned look at Mom.

"Everyone okay in here, did you tell her yet Mer?" He asked.

"Tell me what?" I asked.

"Derek, no this is her day, we can tell her later."

"Mer, she will be so happy." Dad said.

"Guys, what is it? Just tell me." I said

"Mia, your mom and I are pregnant!" Dad said happily.

"What! That's wonderful! I am so excited! However, can we focus on my wedding now?"

They both nodded. Dad stepped all the way in and looked at me with awe.

"You look stunning." He breathed.

I smiled at him and twirled around.

"I clean up pretty good, huh?" I teased.

"You are one of the two most beautiful brides in the world." He said, no doubt thinking of his and Mom's wedding day three years ago.

"You are one lucky man." I said.

"You have no idea."

"How's Jake?" I asked.

"Calm. He has this big grin on his face." Dad said.

I just bet he does.

"So no cold feet?" I asked, just to be sure.

"None."

"Good. Not that I had any doubts. I mean, I am a catch." I said.

Both my parent's rolled their eyes.

Mom checked her watch.

"Oh! I have to go." She said, giving me a big squeeze. "I love you Baby."

"I love you too, Mom."

I looked at Dad after Mom had left.

"You holding up okay?" I asked.

"I should be asking you that question." He replied ruefully.

"I am perfect. This is what I have always wanted for my life since I was thirteen. To marry Jake, to have you and Mom together, to be in med school, to practice at Seattle Grace. Everything is going as it should be."

"It was a long road." He said.

"Yes, but worth every step." I said.

Dad started walking me to our places. My bridesmaids oohed and awed over me, looking elegant in their black floor length dresses. They each disappeared one by one. I watched them with my arm hooked through my dads.

"Sorry I am late."

I glared at Mark.

"Another boob job?" I asked.

"No, smart ass, Lexie got stranded and I had to go get her." Just then my aunt rushed past and had a seat in the back of the church.

"Get her a new car." I demanded.

He smiled at Dad and I tucked my hand into his arm. I was flanked by the two men that represented my upbringing. Mark who had led me through the early years and my Dad who was leading me through the rest.

I heard a swell of music and it was time.

"You can always change your mind." Dad said urgently.

"Yeah we can make a getaway right now." Mark chimed in.

"As long as we don't take Lexie's car, right Uncle Mark?" I quipped. "Knock it off, Guys…" I looked at Jake, who was grinning through his tears at the sight of me. "I am right where I am supposed to be."

Then I had my past and present walk me to my future.

September 3, 2030

"Stop hogging her." My mother demanded as she scooped Hannah from Dad's arms, holding her gently and kissing her forehead.

"I just got her." He complained.

I exchanged looks with Jake who just smiled indulgently.

Hannah Elizabeth was two weeks old and I don't know why Mom was complaining as I didn't get any time with her either and she was my daughter. Ever since she had been born someone had been over to help with her. Help meaning hog.

"Well now I have her." Mom said, cooing to Hannah. "She wanted Nana, isn't that right? She loves her Nana. Forget that old smelly Gramps. Isn't that right?"

"Mia, I wanna see the baby." DJ, my seven-year-old brother said.

"Me too, Mia." Olivia, my seven-year-old sister and DJ's twin said.

"Hold on guys." I smiled.

"Mom has lost her mind." I said.

"I heard that." Mom glared at me.

"I meant for you to." I smiled sweetly.

"Mom, the twins want to see the baby." I said.

"Okay, come on guys."

DJ and Olivia sat on the couch with mom cuddled up with the baby happily cooing with her.

"When do you go back to work?" Mom asked.

"Ask Dad." I laughed.

"Take time to be with Hannah. Your spot is open." He said.

"Okay Chief, but tell me, do you say that to every new mother in the program or just those you fathered?" I asked.

He didn't answer, finding the TV very fascinating all of a sudden.

"Dad, you can't show me favoritism. I will be back one month from today." I said firmly.

"Don't rush."

"Dad, Jake will be here with Hannah."

I was lucky that Jake was an independent computer analyst and that he was able to work from home. He made good money and he didn't complain about my long hours and Hannah would have a parent home with her always. It was a win, win…win situation.

"Fine." Dad sighed.

"Oh lighten up Derek. She has this in the bag." Mom said.

Mom starts walking around with baby.

He pulled her down in his lap gently so as not to jostle the baby and kissed Mom.

"You look good holding a baby." He said.

"So do you." She waggled her eyebrows.

Ugh.

"Not in front of the baby. I don't need her damaged."

"You turned out just fine." Mom said.

"Yeah but I was fifteen when you started your…whatever it is you two do." I said.

"You know what it is they do. They are very vocal about it." Jake piped in.

Dad shot him a dirty look, but I could see he was amused and unapologetic.

Hannah started crying and I bounced up to get her.

"No, no. I got her." Dad said, taking her from Mom and carrying her into her room to change her diaper. I followed him quietly and watched.

He was so gentle with her, talking softly to her.

"I know that you think we hover too much and that is not because we don't think you can handle her. For him, it is his second chance to make up on what he missed out on with you. Go easy on him." Mom said, wrapping her arms around my back and resting her chin on my shoulder.

In that moment I realized exactly how lucky I was. I mean, I knew it before, but watching my parents and siblings with my daughter, three generations of us, all under one roof, made me count my blessings.

Here is what I know;

Time is a gift. Cherish it.

Love is a blessing. Don't take it for granted.

Laughter is the best medicine. Take several doses a day.

Happiness is your right. Grab onto it and never let it go.

And last but certainly not least;

Family is the most important gift a person has. Treat it with kindness, gentleness and a general awe.

I didn't get my family, my real family, until I was fifteen. Now at 25 years of age, it feels like I have always had it.

I credit that to my strong, independent mother, my persistent, loving father and to my gracious, kind husband.

I had it all. Everything I have ever dreamed of.

And I was never going to let it go...

The End