Epilogue: One year later
"Stacey we're going to miss the train!" Sam called down the hallway of their apartment, forgetting the sleeping baby in the car seat next to him. Austin Brewer Thomas opened his mouth and began to cry at the sudden noise. His father bent down to soothe him. "Hey don't cry. I didn't mean to yell. I just wanted your mom to hurry, that's all." The two-month-old baby paid no attention and wailed until Sam un-strapped him and lifted him up. "Come on, please stop crying."
Stacey came hurrying in and took her son in her arms. It had been two months since they'd adopted him and she still couldn't believe that Austin was theirs. It had been a stroke of miraculous luck that they'd been able to adopt him so quickly. Most couples waited for years, but a young girl had seen their profile and decided that they'd be the perfect parents for her unborn baby. Stacey had been there when Austin was born. His birthmother had wanted them to bond immediately. Stacey would be forever grateful to her. Austin was the light and pride of her and Sam's lives. "How many times do you have to wake him up before you stop yelling near him?"
"Sorry honey. Old habits die hard. Do we have everything?"
"My bag, your bag, Austin's bag, the diaper bag, infant carrier, stroller, extra formula and diapers. I think we're set." Stacey resettled a now quiet Austin back into his carrier and helped Sam collect the luggage. "All this for three days in Stoneybrook. I packed less for two weeks in Europe."
"We didn't have a baby then and you still wore non-mommy clothes," Sam replies as they headed out the door.
"Now I understand what Claudia and Kristy were talking about. I can't believe how much he spits up."
The cab was waiting for them downstairs, and they made good time to the station. Stacey was a little nervous about traveling with Austin. It was the first time they'd taken him out of the city since he'd been born. However the entire BSC was going to be there for Jessi's wedding and Stacey couldn't resist the temptation to show Austin off to her friends.
Luckily the baby stayed asleep for the entire trip to Stoneybrook and didn't wake up until the train pulled into the station. As Stacey changed his diaper and gave him his bottle, she couldn't help but reflect on how much her life had changed in the last year. Last year she had been bitter and angry over her infertility, she wasn't sure her marriage was going to survive the strain and she had blown up at one of her closest friends. And now she was happy. She finally understood Claudia's aura of contentment, even when the baby was screaming. She'd only had Austin for two months and she couldn't imagine her life without him. She'd fallen in love with him the second she saw him. Everything in her life had fallen into place and she'd never been happier. Claudia was waiting for her on the platform and Stacey waved from the window. She had Mimi with her in a baby backpack. The little girl waved as well, imitating her mother.
"Stacey!" Claudia cut through the debarking passengers to her friend's side. "Is this Austin?"
"Yep, this is my boy." She proudly displayed her son. This was the first time Claudia had seen him.
"He's handsome. Remind me to keep Mimi away from him when they get older. Come on, the car's outside. How much did you pack?"
"About three outfits and the baby's stuff. Now I know why you would never bring Mimi into the city." Stacey rolled her eyes in mock exhaustion. "Your arms would come out of your sockets carrying this load. Are you sure you're going to have room for all of it?"
"New mini-van, remember? We really needed more space." Claudia patted her stomach, and then put Mimi in her car seat while Stacey strapped Austin in. Sam was at the rear of the van loading the bags in.
"Are you-?" Stacey nearly choked. The last time she and Claudia had discussed the subject, Claudia had been adamant that Mimi was going to be an only child.
"Two months pregnant. We're hoping for a boy this time." Claudia gave the car seat straps a tug to be sure they were fastened then got into the driver's seat. "Do me a favor and lose the shocked look."
"Sorry. Congratulations Claudia. That's terrific. How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good actually. Not much morning sickness this time. So where are you guys staying anyway?"
"With Sam's mother. Charlie and Samantha don't have a guest room anymore remember? Plus Elizabeth still has Serena's old baby stuff for Austin to use."
"I can't believe I forgot. You're not going to believe how big Jonathan's getting. He's almost crawling now."
"Samantha told me when I talked to her the other day. She also said that Kelly is settling into being a big sister pretty well." The two women settled happily into a discussion of children that lasted all the way to the Brewer mansion. Sam amused himself by explain the rules of baseball to his son.
The mansion was overflowing with people as usual. Karen and Andrew had arrived for their annual visit, and David Michael was home from school. Karen was in the kitchen with her friends Hannah and Nancy, comparing notes on their sophomore years in college. Emily-Michelle was upstairs listening to her stereo with her friends Gabby and Sari. Serena and Kelly were in the playroom, involved in something that made them squeal every few seconds at the top of their lungs. Every so often someone would someone would stick their head in and tell the girls to keep it down.
The adults had gathered in the living room with the little ones. Kristy was helping Jillian walk while talking to Samantha, while Charlie fed Jonathon. Elizabeth was bouncing between the kitchen and the conversation between the two women. It was an absolute madhouse that Sam and Stacey walked into.
"We're here!" Sam boomed as they walked through the door. "Anybody home?"
"Hey big brother!" Kristy looked up from her perch on the floor. "Long time, no see. You better have brought my nephew with you. Hi Stacey."
"He's right here." Stacey set the infant seat on the ground and lifted Austin out for all to see. "Meet Austin Brewer Thomas."
After all the hi's and how are you's and I haven't seen you in forever's were done, Elizabeth announced that dinner was ready. Hannah, Nancy, Sari and Gabby went home while everyone assembled themselves around the table. Jonathon and Jillian were strapped into high chairs so that their mother's could feed them.
As Kristy dodged flying peas, she couldn't help but reflect on how her life has changed in one short year. The last time her whole family had been gathered like this, she's been pregnant with Jillian and miserable. Now she was living in Hartford, just 45 minutes away from her family and raising her adored daughter. Everyday Jillian learned something new about her world. Kristy could hardly remember what her life was like before she was born. The last year hadn't been easy. Being a parent was hard when there was no one to share it with, and more than once she had broken down crying from sheer exhaustion. Jillian had been a colicky baby who didn't sleep through the night until she was nearly six months old. Luckily Kristy's boss had been wonderful about transferring her back east and reducing her travel schedule. She only had to go to Seattle once a year, and her regional trips were confined to day stuff only until Jillian was older. It hadn't been easy but she was doing just fine.
The next day was Jessi's wedding to Derek. Mallory and Becca would be her attendants. Jessi had explained that it was just because they had planned a small wedding and there just was space for a bunch of bridesmaids. Everyone had agreed of course, provided that they were invited to the wedding. Jessi said she wouldn't have it any other way and that she was calling in the pact to make sure they were there. Even Abby had been able to come down, just for the day though. Her studies were getting intense and she could barely afford that much time away. Dawn had flown in from California, without Jimmy this time. He couldn't get away from work.
The wedding was going to be kid free. Karen and Nancy were going to baby-sit for Mimi, Jillian, and Austin while their parents were at the ceremony. Stacey told them seven times that they were to call her cell phone if anything went wrong, no matter what. She looked like she was going to cry as Sam pulled her out the door. Claudia and Kristy were already in the car, having had Nancy watch their daughter many time before.
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Before she knew it, Jessi Ramsey had become Mrs. Derek Winslow. She burst into tears when the minister pronounced them husband and wife, but stopped by the time Derek kissed her.
The reception was beautiful and seemed to fly by. Before they knew it, Jessi was tossing the bouquet. Kristy caught it. Then the newlyweds were gone a honeymoon to Jamaica, and Abby had to get her train back to Boston. The former BSC members gathered themselves in corner just before Jessi left to say good-bye. It had been a whirlwind reunion with virtually no time to really talk. But it had been good. They were all happy, really happy. Kristy had her daughter. Claudia had her children and her free-lance design jobs. Mallory had her books and a new girlfriend. Mary-Anne had her husband and a thriving practice. Stacey was buried inside her cocoon of new motherhood and there were doubts as to when she'd ever emerge. Dawn was on the fast track to making partner in her firm, and was planning her own wedding. Abby was set to graduate from medical school in less than a year and was ranked in the top 10% of her class. Jessi was married to a man she loved and had a wonderful career as a teacher. Not one of them though life could get much better than that.
THE END
PS. Claudia had a baby boy named Ryan. Stacey and Sam adopted two more kids, Caitlin and Brendan. Dawn married Jimmy and made partner. They both decided that they preferred a childfree lifestyle, as did Jessi and Derek. Mallory's girlfriend turned out to be her soul mate and they are still together. Mary-Anne eventually took a job as a school psychologist, when she had her only child, Abigail. She was named for Mary-Anne's mother. Kristy married when Jillian was 5. Her husband Bradley adopted Jillian, and together he and Kristy had thee more kids. A girl, Amy and two boys, Randy and Joel. They still live in Hartford, Connecticut.
"Stacey we're going to miss the train!" Sam called down the hallway of their apartment, forgetting the sleeping baby in the car seat next to him. Austin Brewer Thomas opened his mouth and began to cry at the sudden noise. His father bent down to soothe him. "Hey don't cry. I didn't mean to yell. I just wanted your mom to hurry, that's all." The two-month-old baby paid no attention and wailed until Sam un-strapped him and lifted him up. "Come on, please stop crying."
Stacey came hurrying in and took her son in her arms. It had been two months since they'd adopted him and she still couldn't believe that Austin was theirs. It had been a stroke of miraculous luck that they'd been able to adopt him so quickly. Most couples waited for years, but a young girl had seen their profile and decided that they'd be the perfect parents for her unborn baby. Stacey had been there when Austin was born. His birthmother had wanted them to bond immediately. Stacey would be forever grateful to her. Austin was the light and pride of her and Sam's lives. "How many times do you have to wake him up before you stop yelling near him?"
"Sorry honey. Old habits die hard. Do we have everything?"
"My bag, your bag, Austin's bag, the diaper bag, infant carrier, stroller, extra formula and diapers. I think we're set." Stacey resettled a now quiet Austin back into his carrier and helped Sam collect the luggage. "All this for three days in Stoneybrook. I packed less for two weeks in Europe."
"We didn't have a baby then and you still wore non-mommy clothes," Sam replies as they headed out the door.
"Now I understand what Claudia and Kristy were talking about. I can't believe how much he spits up."
The cab was waiting for them downstairs, and they made good time to the station. Stacey was a little nervous about traveling with Austin. It was the first time they'd taken him out of the city since he'd been born. However the entire BSC was going to be there for Jessi's wedding and Stacey couldn't resist the temptation to show Austin off to her friends.
Luckily the baby stayed asleep for the entire trip to Stoneybrook and didn't wake up until the train pulled into the station. As Stacey changed his diaper and gave him his bottle, she couldn't help but reflect on how much her life had changed in the last year. Last year she had been bitter and angry over her infertility, she wasn't sure her marriage was going to survive the strain and she had blown up at one of her closest friends. And now she was happy. She finally understood Claudia's aura of contentment, even when the baby was screaming. She'd only had Austin for two months and she couldn't imagine her life without him. She'd fallen in love with him the second she saw him. Everything in her life had fallen into place and she'd never been happier. Claudia was waiting for her on the platform and Stacey waved from the window. She had Mimi with her in a baby backpack. The little girl waved as well, imitating her mother.
"Stacey!" Claudia cut through the debarking passengers to her friend's side. "Is this Austin?"
"Yep, this is my boy." She proudly displayed her son. This was the first time Claudia had seen him.
"He's handsome. Remind me to keep Mimi away from him when they get older. Come on, the car's outside. How much did you pack?"
"About three outfits and the baby's stuff. Now I know why you would never bring Mimi into the city." Stacey rolled her eyes in mock exhaustion. "Your arms would come out of your sockets carrying this load. Are you sure you're going to have room for all of it?"
"New mini-van, remember? We really needed more space." Claudia patted her stomach, and then put Mimi in her car seat while Stacey strapped Austin in. Sam was at the rear of the van loading the bags in.
"Are you-?" Stacey nearly choked. The last time she and Claudia had discussed the subject, Claudia had been adamant that Mimi was going to be an only child.
"Two months pregnant. We're hoping for a boy this time." Claudia gave the car seat straps a tug to be sure they were fastened then got into the driver's seat. "Do me a favor and lose the shocked look."
"Sorry. Congratulations Claudia. That's terrific. How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good actually. Not much morning sickness this time. So where are you guys staying anyway?"
"With Sam's mother. Charlie and Samantha don't have a guest room anymore remember? Plus Elizabeth still has Serena's old baby stuff for Austin to use."
"I can't believe I forgot. You're not going to believe how big Jonathan's getting. He's almost crawling now."
"Samantha told me when I talked to her the other day. She also said that Kelly is settling into being a big sister pretty well." The two women settled happily into a discussion of children that lasted all the way to the Brewer mansion. Sam amused himself by explain the rules of baseball to his son.
The mansion was overflowing with people as usual. Karen and Andrew had arrived for their annual visit, and David Michael was home from school. Karen was in the kitchen with her friends Hannah and Nancy, comparing notes on their sophomore years in college. Emily-Michelle was upstairs listening to her stereo with her friends Gabby and Sari. Serena and Kelly were in the playroom, involved in something that made them squeal every few seconds at the top of their lungs. Every so often someone would someone would stick their head in and tell the girls to keep it down.
The adults had gathered in the living room with the little ones. Kristy was helping Jillian walk while talking to Samantha, while Charlie fed Jonathon. Elizabeth was bouncing between the kitchen and the conversation between the two women. It was an absolute madhouse that Sam and Stacey walked into.
"We're here!" Sam boomed as they walked through the door. "Anybody home?"
"Hey big brother!" Kristy looked up from her perch on the floor. "Long time, no see. You better have brought my nephew with you. Hi Stacey."
"He's right here." Stacey set the infant seat on the ground and lifted Austin out for all to see. "Meet Austin Brewer Thomas."
After all the hi's and how are you's and I haven't seen you in forever's were done, Elizabeth announced that dinner was ready. Hannah, Nancy, Sari and Gabby went home while everyone assembled themselves around the table. Jonathon and Jillian were strapped into high chairs so that their mother's could feed them.
As Kristy dodged flying peas, she couldn't help but reflect on how her life has changed in one short year. The last time her whole family had been gathered like this, she's been pregnant with Jillian and miserable. Now she was living in Hartford, just 45 minutes away from her family and raising her adored daughter. Everyday Jillian learned something new about her world. Kristy could hardly remember what her life was like before she was born. The last year hadn't been easy. Being a parent was hard when there was no one to share it with, and more than once she had broken down crying from sheer exhaustion. Jillian had been a colicky baby who didn't sleep through the night until she was nearly six months old. Luckily Kristy's boss had been wonderful about transferring her back east and reducing her travel schedule. She only had to go to Seattle once a year, and her regional trips were confined to day stuff only until Jillian was older. It hadn't been easy but she was doing just fine.
The next day was Jessi's wedding to Derek. Mallory and Becca would be her attendants. Jessi had explained that it was just because they had planned a small wedding and there just was space for a bunch of bridesmaids. Everyone had agreed of course, provided that they were invited to the wedding. Jessi said she wouldn't have it any other way and that she was calling in the pact to make sure they were there. Even Abby had been able to come down, just for the day though. Her studies were getting intense and she could barely afford that much time away. Dawn had flown in from California, without Jimmy this time. He couldn't get away from work.
The wedding was going to be kid free. Karen and Nancy were going to baby-sit for Mimi, Jillian, and Austin while their parents were at the ceremony. Stacey told them seven times that they were to call her cell phone if anything went wrong, no matter what. She looked like she was going to cry as Sam pulled her out the door. Claudia and Kristy were already in the car, having had Nancy watch their daughter many time before.
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Before she knew it, Jessi Ramsey had become Mrs. Derek Winslow. She burst into tears when the minister pronounced them husband and wife, but stopped by the time Derek kissed her.
The reception was beautiful and seemed to fly by. Before they knew it, Jessi was tossing the bouquet. Kristy caught it. Then the newlyweds were gone a honeymoon to Jamaica, and Abby had to get her train back to Boston. The former BSC members gathered themselves in corner just before Jessi left to say good-bye. It had been a whirlwind reunion with virtually no time to really talk. But it had been good. They were all happy, really happy. Kristy had her daughter. Claudia had her children and her free-lance design jobs. Mallory had her books and a new girlfriend. Mary-Anne had her husband and a thriving practice. Stacey was buried inside her cocoon of new motherhood and there were doubts as to when she'd ever emerge. Dawn was on the fast track to making partner in her firm, and was planning her own wedding. Abby was set to graduate from medical school in less than a year and was ranked in the top 10% of her class. Jessi was married to a man she loved and had a wonderful career as a teacher. Not one of them though life could get much better than that.
THE END
PS. Claudia had a baby boy named Ryan. Stacey and Sam adopted two more kids, Caitlin and Brendan. Dawn married Jimmy and made partner. They both decided that they preferred a childfree lifestyle, as did Jessi and Derek. Mallory's girlfriend turned out to be her soul mate and they are still together. Mary-Anne eventually took a job as a school psychologist, when she had her only child, Abigail. She was named for Mary-Anne's mother. Kristy married when Jillian was 5. Her husband Bradley adopted Jillian, and together he and Kristy had thee more kids. A girl, Amy and two boys, Randy and Joel. They still live in Hartford, Connecticut.
