An Epilogue

Four years later

"Daddy, Daddy! Look at me!"

Paul lifted his head from the phone to look at his daughter. He'd been texting with Bella.

Lilyanne was waiting on the top of the slide, making sure Paul would watch her before she moved down the slide.

"I'm watching Lily!" he shouted, and his daughter moved her body forward and lifted her arms up as she slid down.

"Wheeeee!" she squealed.

Lilyanne stomped to the ground laughing.

"Did you see daddy?"

"I did, nugget."

"Watch this!" She shouted and ran and made a cartwheel. She landed on her bum but got up and made another. This time, she stayed standing. With a huge grin, she ran to Paul, and he stretched his arms, lifted her, threw her into the air, and caught her. She was screaming with joy.

"You love making cartwheels, don't you?" Paul asked, kissing his daughter's rosy cheek.

"Yes. I'm the best at making cartwheels."

"You are very good," Paul chuckled. "Do you want me to push you in a swing before we go home to make some lunch?" Paul asked.

"Yeee!" Lilyanne shouted and wiggled in Paul's arms. He put her back on the ground, and she ran to her favorite swing in the corner of the playground.

Paul followed her. His phone beeped. He glanced at it and saw another message from Bella.

I'll be in Seattle just after 6. Can't wait to be back home.

Bella had been on one of her excursions to the Redfish Rock Marine Park. It'd been a week and a half this time, and Paul was sick of missing her. This would be her last trip, though, and Paul was fucking happy about it.

Bella stayed with Nancy Mulligan, the lady they met years ago on their campervan trip. Bella had taken up her offer to stay with her whenever in the area, and once they all had visited the old lady. She'd wanted to meet Lilyanne.

"Daddy! Come. Help me!" Lilyanne shouted.

Paul quickly texted Bella back. He took a photo of Lily and sent it to Bella.

Paul lifted his daughter to the swing and started to push her.

"What do you want to eat for Lunch, beautiful?" he asked Lily.

"I want rice and fish."

"Okay, we'll make rice and tuna and some salad. I need help with the salad."

"I help you, Daddy. We-heee!" she shrieked as she flew up and back down again. Lily loved being pushed, although she was pretty good at swinging on her own.

"Hi Paul and Lily!" a woman walking towards them yelled. Paul groaned.

"Nicky! Nick!" Lily shouted, excited to see her friend. "Watch how high I go!"

Paul really didn't want this shit again. But as Lily liked the boy the woman was pulling behind her, he needed to stick around for a bit. Besides, if Paul had learned anything, one had to behave in front of children. Bella would never let him forget the time he'd called one of the playgroup mothers a noisy bitch behind the said bitch back. Lily had asked loudly so that everyone in the room had heard her; what is a noisy bitch. They hadn't gone back to that group.

"Hi Helen, Nick," he said, pushing Lily.

"Nicky!" Lily laughed. "Nicky! Nicky! Nick!"

The little boy climbed to the swing next to Lily's, stood up, and started to swing, quickly gathering speed and height.

"Lily, look at this!" the boy shouted and jumped off the swing.

"Nick, please be careful," Helen told her son.

"I want to try, too," Lily said.

"Not now, nugget. We'll try together another time," Paul said, eager to get the hell out of the park.

"Are you two here all alone?" Helen asked, looking around the park, no doubt checking if Bella was with them.

"Yep."

"Bella is away again? Where is she this time?"

Paul gritted his teeth. He itched to send the bitch away with a few selected words, but of course, he couldn't do that. Being a responsible father was goddamn frustrating sometimes. Many things would be solved so much easier if one didn't have to keep one's mouth shut.

"She's coming back from Oregon tonight," Paul said, offering only the minimal information.

"What was she doing there?"

Why the fuck did she think it was her business to know.

"Mummy is looking at fish and seahorses and octopuses," Lily shouted. "She is saving the oceans."

"Your mummy is so brave," Helen said, a fake smile plastered on her face. "How is she able to stay away from Lily? She's so adorable."

Paul didn't answer. Paul was so fed up with people who constantly thought it was their business to comment on how they lived their lives. And it wasn't like Bella was away all the time; this was her third trip after returning to Uni and would be the last one for now.

"I go higher than you!" Nick shouted.

"Daddy, push me higher," Lily giggled. "Higher, higher, higher!"

After pushing Lily a few more times, Paul had had enough. He needed to leave the park. Helen was making him uncomfortable with her sideways glances and licking her lips and shit. It was so damn obvious. She was a single mom; Nick's father had left when Nick was only a baby. He fucking hated that he knew so much about her; he really didn't care. While he could feel sorry for the boy, he didn't enjoy these moments.

"Okay, nugget, we're going home to have some lunch, and then you can finish the drawing for mummy."

"We could all go to lunch together," Helen suggested, not for the first time. He was ready to refuse yet again, but Lily got there first.

"Me and Daddy make lunch together. I'm making salad," she shouted, stopping the swing abruptly and getting her shoes all sandy. Lily was super envious of all women who weren't Bella or Paula and was a very perceptive little girl. Of course, she didn't understand why many women were always around him, but she sensed it was something Paul didn't like. She was very possessive of her father as well. His little clever warrior. Defending him and her mother at the same time. With big brown eyes, Bella's eyes, and long raven black hair, people also noticed her. There was always someone commenting something about her or them together. While Paul agreed that Lily was the most beautiful little girl, he didn't like them using her to get close to him. Nothing had changed over the years. And it was damn annoying.

Lily climbed away from the swing, and Paul grabbed her and lifted her to his shoulders. Lily giggled and twisted her tiny fingers into his hair.

"So long suckers!" Lily shouted, and Paul could hear Helena gasp. "What is suckers?" Nick asked.

Paul tried not to laugh. That was all Grandpa Charlie's doing. He and Lily watched baseball together, and even Charlie had cleaned up his language; he'd clearly forgotten in the heat of the moment with whom he was watching it. Who would have thought such a good-mannered and restricted man would become a different person altogether while watching his favorite game?

"Should we go see if Grandma has the book mummy ordered?"

"Yes," Lily answered, humming her favorite song.

"Sing with me, daddy," she said.

Huffing a laugh, Paul knew there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his little girl, but singing BTS in public came damn close.

"Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy" he joined Lily, and his little girl giggled in delight.

"Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy, Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy Light it up like dynamite."

"Again!" Lily insisted, pulling his hair,

Tears simmered in Paul's eyes. "Lily, don't pull so hard; you'll make daddy bald."

Lily giggled at that. "You would look funny."

"And daddy doesn't want to look funny."

Paul crossed the street and lifted Lily from his shoulders before entering the bookstore.

"Hello, grandma!" Lily shouted, and she ran straight to the kids' corner.

"Hello, pumpkin," Paula came from the back room and went to hug the little girl.

Paula was a treasure. She'd taken her role as a grandparent very seriously. When the time had come for Bella to continue with her studies, Paula had hired help at the store and had taken Lilyanne with her during the days. She took her to playgroups and museums and different parks. There was a group of grandmoms with their grandchildren who met once or twice a week, so Lily had a lot of kids of similar age around her as well.

"What time is Bella home tonight?" Paula asked.

"We go pick her up from the train station at six." Paul could hardly fuckin wait. He was always a bit anxious when Bella went away, but it had been over a week, and he needed her like the next breath of air.

"It's good she doesn't have to go again anytime soon."

Paul only nodded. It was. And soon, they would all leave together. They would go to Hawaii to live for a year. Bella had gotten a place in the Marine Science program, and it would start in a month. They would live in Kaneohe, and Paul would stay home with Lilyanne. Paul could hardly wait. Ever since they'd visited the island, he'd been hoping they could live there for a while. Leaving Paula and Charlie behind wasn't easy, though.

"Is tomorrow still okay?" Paul asked.

"Absolutely!" Paula said. "You know that we are always happy to have Lily with us."

Paul sighed. He absolutely loved Lily, and their family was an amazing unit, but he needed alone time with Bella, too. Especially now that she'd been away longer than usual. Video calls at least twice daily and occasional phone sex wasn't enough. He would never have had enough of her.

"What have you planned for you two?" Paula asked.

Paul tried to hide his grin, failing. "We're going to stay home." And if it were up to him, they wouldn't leave the bedroom unless they moved to the couch or kitchen table or a shower. Paul's cock twitched with the idea of fucking Bella in every surface of their home.

"Daddy, can I have this book?" Lilyanne asked, bringing the book with her. It was another animal coloring book, this time with Australian animals.

"Baby, we just got you the one with jungle animals. Finish that first, then we'll get you this one."

"But I want it." Lily pouted and pulled her eyebrows together as she did when she was adamant about getting things to go her way. "I want it!" she stomped her foot on the ground. Paul tried to keep a straight face. He knew Lily was hungry and tired. It wouldn't take long for this to get out of hand; it's better to end it now.

"No, Lily. Take it back, please. Then you can ask Paula if the book mummy ordered has arrived. We can wrap it, and you can draw animals on the cover."

"We can look for it together. I got delivery today," Paula offered. Paul knew she would want to give the coloring book to Lily, but she wouldn't contradict what he'd just told his daughter.

However, Lily wasn't easily distracted today. "You take it back," Lily said, throwing the book to the floor and crossing her short arms over her chest, a storm brewing on her features.

Paul sighed. Knowing that Bella would be home tonight gave him the strength to get through yet another battle of wills.

"Lily," Paul said, crouching so that Lily could see his face better. "You can't throw books like that. It is not yours. And it might get broken."

Lily pouted with more enthusiasm, and tears started to fall on her cheek.

Shit. Rubbing his hand over his face, he decided to try another tactic.

"Hey, you know what," Paul lowered his voice into a whisper. Lily leaned in to hear what he was going to say. "Do you think Otto is hungry?" He whispered so silently only Lily could hear him.

Lily's eyes widened, and she wiped a tear from her cheek. "Oh, daddy, I forgot Otto!"

"Take the book back, and we go home. Otto is waiting for his snack."

Lily picked the book up and ran to the kids' corner.

"You are so good with her," Paula said.

Paul got up, chuckling, happy to be able to evade one of Lily's temper tantrums. Terrible twos had been going on since she'd turned two, and she would be four by the end of this month. Paul and Bella tried to find comfort in knowing that strong-willed kids weren't easily manipulated. Their worry was just the opposite.

Paula got them the book Bella had ordered, and Lily ran up the stairs. When Paul opened the door, Lily made a beeline to the aquarium, where Otto, the tiny octopus, was sucked against the glass wall.

"Wash your hands first, nugget," Paul told his daughter, and Lily turned toward the bathroom. "Yes, daddy."

Paul went to the kitchen and placed Bella's book on the island. She had decided to take on gardening in Hawaii, and the book was a guide to help her get started. Paul and Lily already had a plan to grow all their vegetables.

He took out the rice from the night before and the fish from the freezer. Rice and tuna nuggets were Lily's favorite. He'd made a big bag of nuggets ready when they needed something to eat fast.

"After you've given Otto his snack, come to slice the cucumber and pepper for the salad."

Together, they made lunch and then sat down to eat. Paul loved moments like this. Lilyanne was such a fun little person to spend time with when she ate happily, babbled, and asked questions.

"Daddy," she started and stuffed a nugget into her mouth. Paul waited for her to finish chewing. "Why don't you like to have lunch with Nick and Helen?" Lily asked.

Paul sputtered the water he'd been sipping and masked it as a cough.

"Daddy, remember your table manners," Lily said with a serious face.

Paul hoped Lily would forget the question; he would rather answer a question like why ladybugs had spots or, why people had five toes on each foot or why pee was yellow.

But she didn't forget. "Daddy, I asked you a question," she said.

"Because I don't want to share you with them," Paul said, hoping the explanation was enough for her.

"But you want to share me with grandma and grandpa."

"They want to be with you so much, I would feel bad for them if I didn't," Paul said.

"Oh." Lily's eyebrows arched up to her hairline. Then, her face lit up with a huge smile. "Because they love me?"

"Yes, they love you. And daddy loves you, and mommy loves you so much."

"And Sarah and Sam. And Kai. Philip and Renée?"

"Yes. They all love you."

"Even Grandma Ellen?"

Paul's heart lurched a little. "Yes, even her."

Ellen, his mother, had loved Lily too. Paul had got to know his mother, but she wasn't with them anymore. She'd died two years ago in a car accident. Lily probably didn't remember her, but they kept a photo of her in her room, and she asked questions about her often. Lily looked a lot like her except for her eyes. They were all Bella's.

Lily had been three months old when Paul had contacted his mother after Bella kept telling him he would regret it if he didn't. And she'd been right. Paul and his mother had slowly got to know each other. Paula had helped them through the most painful things. That woman should be a bloody therapist. Paul didn't think he'd managed without her.

Even though Paul could never forget what his mother leaving had done to him and what her showing up had caused, he'd been able to forgive her. It had been harder for his mother. She'd left Paul and his father because she'd been a drug addict, and one of her dealers had persuaded her to leave her family. She'd been able to shield her addiction from everyone, Paul's father included. Hearing what kind of monster Paul's father had become had been a terrible blow to Ellen. She had thought Paul and his father would've been better without her.

Her death hadn't been a huge shock. Paul hadn't been able to let her too close; call it a trust issue or some shit like that. But he wasn't alone anymore. He had Bella and Lily, Paula and Charlie, and Kai. And all their friends. He was grateful he'd got an explanation of what had happened to her, and Lily had gotten to know her grandmother. But life continued, and he didn't want to waste it feeling bad over something he couldn't control. He had so much to be grateful for.

"Daddy," Lily dragged Paul from his musings. "Can I finish my drawing now?"

"Yes, take your plate to the sink first."

Paul cleaned the kitchen. He was tired and anxious to get Bella home - four more hours.

"What about we take a little nap and then go get mummy home?"

"Yes. I'm so tired. I could sleep the whole day," Lily yawned and stretched the way she'd seen him doing. Paul chuckled. Damn, he loved his little girl.

Paul was startled and awoken by warm lips against his. "What the..." It was Bella.

"Bella, damn Bella!" He whispered, his voice thick with sleep as he pulled his wife tightly against his chest. "You're here."

"I'm here. I..." Paul didn't let her continue but kissed her. He kissed her deeply, and Bella kissed him back. Goddamn, how he'd missed her.

"Mummy!" their little daughter had woken up and jumped over them. Bella moved so they could hug Lily between them. Bella kissed Lily's face.

"Oh, I missed you so much," she said.

"You came early," Lily laughed.

"Yes, sweetheart. There was a train that left earlier. I wanted to surprise you."

Paul felt the tension in his body to ease now that she was finally here with him and Lily. He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent deeply, and felt Bella shiver. He smiled against her neck and kissed it lightly.

"I made you a picture," Lily said, hugging her mother tight again.

"Go and get it," Paul said. He wanted a few seconds alone with Bella.

Lilyanne crawled to the edge of the bed and slid to the floor.

"Damn, Bella, I've missed you." And he kissed her hungrily. Bella moaned into his mouth, and Paul could not stop all his blood from running south.

They could hear Lily's feet stomping on the floor, and Paul kissed her once more and cupped her head between her hands. His other thumb brushed her swollen bottom lip. Damn, she was so beautiful. "I love you, Bella. So damn much."

"I love you, too."

Lily ran into the room and almost tripped over the music box she'd brought to the room before their nap. She didn't fall but just laughed and gave her mother the drawing she'd been doing for a week. It was Otto with his fictional big brother, Ollie.

"Oh, Lily, it's beautiful. Tell me the story."

Their daughter beamed, and before Bella let her start with the story, she took off her jacket and shoes and climbed into the bed. Paul sat up and leaned against the headboard and scooped Lily to sit between them.

And then they heard a story about how Otto and Ollie moved to Hawaii and found a new home under the big rock.

(AN: this could have been a perfect place to end this epilogue, but I wanted to continue a bit more. A little lemon and goodbyes ahead.)

Paul waited for Bella in their bedroom. She was putting Lily to sleep. Lily had been overtired and hyper all evening, so it would take some time before she would settle down, especially now that Bella was finally home.

Their blessing had been that Lily had always been a good sleeper. After all the shit that went down with Bella's pregnancy and at Lily's birth, it was only fair that they had a baby that loved sleeping. Lily had been one of those easy babies; thank God for that.

Paul tried to read but was too hyper himself. He took his phone and browsed the news, but nothing interested him now. All he wanted was to get Bella into his arms, his cock deep inside her body. His cock was half-masted already, and he had to stop gripping it. He thought about fucking his hand to get the edge off and make their first round last longer, but he was sick and tired of rubbing his cock.

Finally, Paul heard Bella closing the door to Lily's room, and she tiptoed to their room. She came in and closed the door, leaning against it. She stayed there staring at him, her lips curved into a seductive smile. Bella slowly turned the key in the lock.

Click. Paul felt it in his cock.

He could not wait for one more second. He hopped off the bed, and in three steps, he was on her.

He reached her and pressed his hard body against hers. She was wearing loose joggers and a T-shirt.

Their mouths crashed together.

"I want you so bad. I want to fuck you all night."

"Ah, yes."

Paul pulled her pants down and found her sex ready and wet for him. He knew he had this effect on her, but it was a fucking mind-blow every time. He thrust two fingers inside her tight heat, and they both moaned.

Bella skimmed her foot up to his hips, spreading her thighs wider in doing so. She slid her big toe inside the hem of his loose shorts and pulled them down.

"I want you inside me now," she panted, kissing his neck.

Paul gripped his cock and guided it to her wet pussy. He dragged it along her folds.

Bella bit his jaw, and he cursed, slamming inside her in one hard thrust,

"Fuck, I missed this."

It felt so damn good. But it would be over too fucking soon. He clenched his teeth, shutting his eyes. Tensing his abdomen and ass, trying to hold it longer.

He moved and felt Bella already starting to clamp around him, pulling him deeper.

He let go and fucked his wife hard, neither of them unable to stay quiet.

He exploded, and Bella milked him, squeezing the hell out of his shaft.

"Mummy! Daddy."

Paul and Bella groaned. Lily had come behind the door and tried to open it by yanking the door handle.

They pressed their foreheads together, catching their breaths. He was still pulsing inside her and, after a little while, would've been ready to go again.

"Shit," he hissed.

Bella giggled, and Paul helped Bella to set her feet on the floor. They dressed quickly, and Bella opened the door.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"I heard noises."

"Oh, come here, baby. There is nothing to worry about. Mummy thought you were asleep," Bella said as she scooped their daughter into her arms.

"I want to sleep with you," the little devil sniffed, rubbing her eyes.

Bella glanced at Paul. He nodded. There was no way Lily would fall asleep without one of the parents, and for sure, she'd want Bella there with her. He would not let her out of his arms tonight.

Paul sighed. Tomorrow wasn't coming fast enough.

"I can't believe she's already four," Sarah said as she slowly settled on their couch. Her big 8-month-long pregnant belly stretched the bright yellow dress she was wearing. She sighed when she found a position she was comfortable.

"Me neither. It feels like she was just born," Bella sighed. It really was crazy how fast time flew. She had just gone through Lilyanne's wardrobe; it still held almost every piece she'd ever worn. And to think she'd worn the tiniest baby clothes just a moment ago. She would give most of them to Sarah's and Sam's baby, but there were some pieces she would save just for keepsake.

"So, how have you been?" Bella asked and skimmed her hand over Sarah's big belly. Sarah landed her hand over hers and squeezed. "I've been doing so well. I hate to think how badly you suffered while pregnant, and it has been so easy for me."

"I know you do, but I hope you didn't, though. All is now well. Life is shit sometimes, but all I can feel is gratitude. We have a beautiful, healthy girl. All that was worth it."

"And you have the most delicious, sexy hunk as your baby's father," Sarah said. Bella huffed a laugh.

"There is that, too." Bella looked at Paul, talking with his friends on the terrace. Lilyanne stood on Paul's feet and leaned against him, her arms wrapped around the back of his thighs, asking him to lift his legs. She would never get tired of watching those two together.

"You two are still like you've just met, you know," Sarah said. "I remember when we saw the guys in Port Angeles when you had just dumped Bane. The way Paul looked at you. I've never seen anything like that, and he still looks at you the same way. I know Sam loves me, and I love him, don't get me wrong, but there has always been something special about you two. Just look at that picture on the wall. Ailani is an amazing photographer, but you two make the photo so beautiful, almost magical."

Bella smiled. Pregnancy had made Sarah so soft and dreamy, nothing like her usual sarcastic self, but she guessed she was right.

A loud shriek came from the terrace, and Bella shot up from the couch only to see that Paul was holding Lily upside down, and the girl was just being her loud self.

"Jesus," Sarah gasped and pressed her hand over her heart. "That kid makes terrible sounds."

Bella laughed. "Yes, she always had."

"I hope Sam will be as devoted dad as Paul is. It is incredible to watch him with Lily."

Bella couldn't agree more. "And he was so scared to become a father. He thought he didn't know how to be a good parent because of his childhood. But it turns out he's the one who's teaching me."

"But I really don't know how you can stand all the women crowding him whenever he goes out," Sarah said.

Bella laughed at that. She'd been prepared for it, but it was sometimes ridiculous. Paul alone was gorgeous but put one little girl in his arms, and all women, no matter the age, went absolutely crazy. Bella could almost hear ovaries popping while they blatantly stared at him.

"I don't have a choice. Unless I keep him hidden in our home, I just have to take it. Poor Paul is fed up."

Sarah laughed. "Poor my ass. So, how are things with your mum?" Sarah asked.

"We're good, well, as good as we can be, I guess. We can communicate like adults and spend some time together. She apologized to Paul for her terrible behavior. Mum is very good with Lily, and she would come here more often, but I just had to put limits on that. Even though she has changed her ways, Paul still feels uncomfortable around her, and I don't blame him. Luckily, mum understands, and it's not easy for her to be around Paul either, she is ashamed of her behavior."

"Bugger," Sarah winced and took Bella's hand to feel the baby kicking. "She's getting so strong," she huffed.

The kicks were strong, indeed. Bella felt a tiny jolt of envy. She did not miss being pregnant; in a way, she was happy that nature had taken away her choice to have more children. She didn't know what she would have wanted, and Paul had told her he would have probably died as a nervous wreck if he had to go through another pregnancy and birth. So, in the end, all was as it was meant to be. But still, she could not erase the feeling of the loss of never having a tiny baby of her own again.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Bella shouted. It was Charlie and Paula. Charlie walked without his stick these days. Working out with Kai had helped him with his hip, and he was now in the better shape he'd been 15 years ago.

"Grannyy! Grandpapaa!" Lily shouted and ran to her grandparents. Charlie scooped her up into his arms.

"How is my birthday girl?" Charlie laughed and kissed Lily's cheek, hugging her tightly.

Bella's heart squeezed a little. She so hoped Charlie and Paula could come with them to Hawaii. But they had their own life here. They would visit and stay longer whenever possible, but of course, it wouldn't be the same. They had been so important to them during her pregnancy and after Lily's birth. And she loved them dearly and would miss them.

"Come here, my sweetheart," Paula said and offered to take her from Charlie's arms. Lily leaned in, and the little girl and the older women hugged. There was a special bond between these two. Bella was so happy that Lily had many important and consistent adults in her life. It didn't matter if she wasn't always a perfect mother, she wouldn't be able to ruin her. There was Paul, Paula and Charlie, Kai, Sam and Sarah, Ailani and José would be in Hawaii and yes, even her mother and Philip.

Then the door flew open as Michael, Kim's and Jared's five-year-old son, rushed in with his two-and-a-half-year-old little sister Mary on his heels.

"Micky!" Lily shouted and wiggled so that Paula let her down. She ran to her friend, hugging him tight. "Come see Otto!" She took Michale's hand and pulled him towards her room. They'd changed his aquarium to Lily's room after Lily had gotten into her head that Otto couldn't sleep without her.

"Mary can come too," Bella said to her daughter. "But mum, Mary..."

"Mary wants to see Otto too."

All three vanished to Lily's room.

Jared and Kim followed their kids.

"Hi, Jared and Kim. Where is Kai?" Bella asked, feeling disappointed. Hadn't he been able to come?

"He's finding the parking place for the car," Jared said as he gave her a big hug. Oh yeah, Bella was going to miss Jared and Kim, too.

"Hi, Bella!" Kim said as she hugged her.

"Hi, Kim. I'm so happy you could make it."

"Yes, we wouldn't miss this for anything. And Michael would never forgive us if we hadn't come. But I say that the drive up here with those two isn't something I want to do very often."

"That bad, eh?" Sarah asked from the couch.

"Hi, Sarah!" Kim leaned down to hug her. "Yes, that bad. Mary gets sick in the car, and Michael is too restless to be still. Nothing helps."

"What has doctors said about his diagnosis?"

"It is ADHD, for sure. We'll start behavior therapy with him next week."

"Oh, that is great!" Bella said.

"Yes, and if we're lucky, he doesn't need any medication," Kim added.

It was then that Mary ran to them crying. Bella sighed; it had taken longer than she'd expected.

"Mummyyyy," the little girl wailed. "I want to feed Otto, too."

Bella placed her hand on Kim's thigh, "I'll go." She scooped the little girl into her arms.

"What is going on here?" Bella asked as they entered Lily's room. Lily's and Michael's turned to look at them. "Why is Mary crying?" Bella insisted on knowing.

"She's too small to feed Otto. She didn't believe me," Lily told her.

"Mary isn't too small. You can feed Otto every day. You should have let Mary feed him, too," Bella said to her daughter.

"Well, he's had his snack already. I had to show Michale how to do it," Lily pouted.

"Lilyanne Awena," Bella started, kneeling and letting Mary get the toy she'd spotted, "you..."

"What is going on here?" Paul asked as he entered the room.

"Paul, Paul," Mary shrieked and ran to Paul.

Paul scooped the little girl into his arms and kissed her cheek.

"How's my other favorite girl?" he asked.

"Am I the other?" Lily asked Otto, forgotten, as she attached herself to Paul's leg.

"Yes, nugget, you are," Paul said, ruffing Lily's hair.

"Let's get our party started," Paul said, and they all left Lily's room and joined the others. It would be the last time with all these people around for a little while. But they would all visit, and she, Paul, and Lily would return to Seattle.

Life was so good, she thought as Paul wrapped his arms around her, nestling her against his warm body, and she sighed happily as they all sang happy birthday to their darling little girl.

THE END

AN:

I'll make you dinner, and breakfast has come to its end. I had so much fun writing this epilogue. I hadn't realized how much fun it can be. I probably carried away; I've never written a chapter this long before. But this was a goodbye.

I want to thank you all who stuck with me and my story this long. I apologize it took so long to finish this. Especially the unforgivable wait between the second last and last chapter before this epilogue. But now I feel so good that I gave this beautiful family their happy ever after. I hope you've enjoyed the story.

Let me know what you think; I love hearing from you. And I hope to see you in my other unfinished stories.

Take care!