Hooked Up

EPILOGUE Part 2 - Eight Years Later

Ding dong! I ring the doorbell.

Michelle is bouncing by my feet excitedly, her chubby cheeks stretched wide as she grips the present tight with her stubby little fingers. Landon smiles down at her fondly and I can't help but melt at the sight. I love how good he is with her, daddy's little princess. It quite reminds me of my relationship with own father before his passing. Landon even French braided her dark brown hair before we left, quite well, might I add. He's learned a lot these past years. 

"What's taking them so long?" Jamie, our six-year-old, grumbles, as impatient as ever. He looks like a miniature Landon, with his gray eyes and dark hair. He's going to be a handsome man some day. I just hope he won't break too many hearts.

 A loud crash sounds from inside my brother's massive house. "Just a moment!" Sophie's voice carries through the door. After a few seconds the door opens, Sophie's blue eyes twinkling at us. She's wearing a pale blue summer dress, looking as dazzling as ever, though a little flustered.

"Hi! Come in!" she beckons and we all crowd in. "The twins are... um, they were just here..." she looks around, frowning.

I spot a broken vase on the floor and grin. That must have been the crash. "They causing mayhem again?"

Sophie grimaces and wipes at her forehead. "As usual. I seriously don't know where they get the energy."

Landon laughs and ruffles Jamie's hair. "Tell me about it."

Jamie frowns up at him and rolls his eyes. Yeah, he may have gotten that from me.

"Well, anyway" Sophie braves a smile. "Welcome."

"Where's Grayson and Carter?" Jamie asks, looking around.

"At the moment?" Sophie sighs. "Probably upstairs. Boys!" she hollers toward the stairs.

"I'm gonna go find them" Jamie holds up the present he's carrying and heads toward the noises.

"Mommy?" Michelle jumps on her feet again, tugging at my shorts.

"Yes, honey?"

"I wanna give the present, too."

"Well, go find them, then," I encourage her. She looks around the foyer, biting her lip shyly. "Jamie, take her with you."

Jamie grabs Michelle's hand and starts dragging her to another room, his eyes scanning the space.

"Just follow the noise!" Sophie quips after them, and just then we hear another loud crash from upstairs. She sighs.

"Where's Nate?" I ask once the kids have disappeared upstairs.

"In the kitchen" Sophie starts leading us there. "Giving finishing touches to the cake."

As we step into the huge gleaming kitchen, my eyes are immediately drawn to an impressive three-tier strawberry cake sitting on the counter. It looks delicious.

Nate appears from behind the cake and comes to give me and Landon hugs. "How are you all?"

"Good," I grin against his shoulder. "How is everything here? Close to a mental breakdown, yet?" I joke.

"Close," he winks. "did I hear something breaking?" he turns to his wife.

She nods, "A vase. I actually have to go clean that up before everyone else arrives."

"I'll do it" Nate smiles at her and leaves us.

"Auntie! Landon!" I'm suddenly attacked in the form of two eight-year-olds. They hug me tight and I return it, then they turn to Landon and he high-fives them.