Epilogue

Live life with purpose and face your fears. Yep, Rachel taught me that. But, Kim and Belle taught me that, too. My girls keep teaching me that on a daily basis. They give me something to live and fight for every single day. They make days like today all the sweeter.

We are back at the FOP picnic and the scene is quite different than it has been in the past. Jay and Erin have finally decided to tie the knot after quite the rocky road. After all, having your father figure be Hank Voight is going to make for some bumps in the road. Then, you add Jay's past and that is just a mine field to deal with. It's nice to see them happy and together. Hell, even Atwater has a girl. Linda is good for him and he is one lucky bastard since Momma Atwater seems to like her. I would have felt for Kev if his Momma had decided that Linda did not meet standards.

I'm watching Belle turning cartwheels in the field and am beside myself. She is four. Four years old. Holy cow. Her long black hair is whipping around as she turns over and the big smile on her face shows how proud she is of herself. She has started an age appropriate gymnastics class that Kim had found. Let me tell you, she has loved every minute of it. I'm in so much trouble because she is going to scare the bejesus out of me before I know it. I bounce A.J. on my hip and yell my support to Belle.

Yeah. A.J. is my son. My spitting image with Kim's loving heart. Let's just say that the whole waiting for nature to decide when we would have kids didn't take as long as I thought it would. I had been fully prepared for it to take us a year or more to get pregnant. I mean all my friends talked about how long that seemed to take. Yeah. Nope. Apparently, I just have to look at Kim the wrong way. Which I guess I should take full advantage of since I can't get her any more pregnant than she already is.

"Don't look at me like that."

"Why?"

"I feel like a whale and not the least bit sexy."

"You're gorgeous."

"The glow is a myth."

"No, it's not. I love you."

The smile spreads across her face and she turns to me because she can't help it. The kiss she gives me is like they all are. Full of love and a promise for later.

"You two have got to stop that. What are you trying to do? End up with a soccer team?"

Antonio can't keep the straight face as he starts laughing.

"What are you guys having this time anyway? You were supposed to tell us already. Who's going to be outnumbered?"

I just smile and Kim points to me. Antonio really starts to laugh now.

"Oh, man. You and poor little A.J. Surrounded by women. Enjoy it, man."

"I will."

Oh, I will enjoy every minute of it. The amount of love in my life is unbelievable. I know that no matter what hard times come our way…my family will be here. Part of me will always love Rachel for that. For teaching me that I deserved to have this. That I was strong enough and brave enough to have this. Teaching me to go after what I want and fight to keep it. She lives on in our daughter. A girl that continues to push and love as fiercely as her mother did. I see Belle turn over for the last cartwheel before she comes running towards us. She runs straight for Kim and wraps her arms around her as best as she can. She pulls back and starts talking to Kim's stomach. It has been her new thing. Telling the baby about the family that she is getting ready to join. About how she is her big sister and that she will always take care of her. I imagine that I am going to have to remind her of this promise when she is 16 and her younger sister keeps wanting to tag along. I can't wait. But I think I'll just enjoy this moment. A.J. finally rests his head on my shoulder and grabs hold of the collar of my t-shirt. I look down and can see his eyes fighting to stay open, but it is a losing battle. I kiss the top of his head and his soft blonde hair tickles my nose. I look up and see Kim starting at me. I can see those happy tears in her eyes as a smile is spread across her face. I know she is thinking the same thing I am. That we love this journey that we are on. And that we never want it to stop.

Post note: Thank you all so much! I hope to see you all over at What Happens In... once I really get it going. I've been having fun over there. :) Thank you so much for all the support and kind words! You guys are the best!