My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

Epilogue

LEVI

THREE MONTHS LATER

As I wait at the altar next to my best friend, I look over at my beautiful wife standing on the other side and smile at her swollen belly with pride. Getting to be a part of Finn and Oakley’s wedding party has been super special, and walking down with my wife made it even better.

Her being nine months along has made their wedding interesting. After celebrating our nuptials and getting a new puppy, we spent the rest of it getting the nursery ready and helping our friends plan their fall-themed orchard wedding. It’s been the best year of my life, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of it brings.

At the sound of “Canon in D” playing, everyone stands, and we watch Oakley make her way down the aisle. I put my hand on Finn’s shoulder, giving him an encouraging squeeze since he hasn’t turned around yet.

“She looks stunning,” I whisper.

He taps my hand back with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face.

When Finn turns around and sees his bride, he immediately chokes up. Oakley’s a ball of emotions, fighting back tears as she wipes under her eyes. These two couldn’t be more perfect for each other.

The officiant begins the ceremony, and by the end, there isn’t a dry eye in the audience. Their vows were sweet and personal. There’s nothing better than seeing my best friend get his happily ever after.

“My feet are killing me,” Fallon whispers as we wait for the photographer to finish. We did a million group shots, and now they’re taking separate family ones.

“Take off your shoes,” I tell her.

“I can’t reach.” She pouts. “Can you help me?”

Chuckling, I kneel and motion for her to lift her foot. “Jesus. These things need a passcode or something to untie?”

“Don’t look at me. Oakley picked out these hand-sewn laced up the ankle killer traps.”

I manage to get one off, then reach for her other.

“Oh shit,” Fallon blurts out, leaning on my shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” I panic, standing and holding her shoulders.

“The contractions are getting stronger.” She squeezes her eyes and blows out a long breath.

“You’re in labor?”

“I thought it was Braxton Hicks, but they’ve been consistent for the past couple hours.”

“Baby, we have to get you to the hospital,” I urge.

“No, no, I’m fine. Contractions can last a long time, and I don’t wanna ruin—” She groans, leaning against me.

“Yeah, we’re going. Right now.”

“What’s the matter?” Tiernan, Oakley’s sister, comes over.

“I’m taking her to the hospital. She’s in labor.”

“Give me your keys, and I’ll get your truck,” Tiernan says.

I dig into my pocket and hand them over. “It’s parked on the east side.”

“Be right back.”

“Just breathe, my love. You’ve got this.”

Since we’re in the orchard, there’s nowhere to sit.

Finn and Oakley return with the photographer and notice Fallon’s distress.

“Oh my God, is she okay?” Finn rushes over.

“I’m fine, just about to have a baby in the woods, is all.”

I shake my head at her dramatics. “It’s not the woods, sweetheart. And you’re not having him now.”

“How far apart are your contractions?” Oakley asks.

“I’m not sure. It was around twenty minutes a few hours ago, and now they’re?—”

“Argh, fuck.” Fallon hunches over, but I hold her up as best I can.

“I think they’re much closer now,” I tell Oakley.

“Shit, I hope you make it in time,” she says. The hospital’s thirty minutes away.

“Your son better not make me give birth outside without an epidural,” Fallon hisses, holding her stomach as if she’s trying to keep him inside.

“He’s a White. He’s gonna do what he wants,” Finn says with a light chuckle, and Fallon rewards him with a glare.

Finally, tires squeal, and I see my truck approaching. “Let’s go, baby.”

“No speeding,” Oakley demands.

Yeah, right.

Finn helps me get her into the passenger side, and once Fallon’s secure, I rush around to the driver’s side.

“Keep us updated!” Oakley shouts, and I nod.

Once I’m buckled, I gun it out of there.

FALLON

FOUR HOURS LATER

“Nicholas Kane White, you stubborn little boy.” I rub the pad of my thumb over his chubby cheek and smile at the beautiful baby they claim is mine. How the hell I pushed out a ten-pounder is beyond me but thank God for modern-day medicine. He was so big that his head got stuck and the doctor had to use forceps to pull him out.

I’m never having sex again.

“So when can we make another?” Levi asks as if he hadn’t watched my vagina stretch out to accommodate a human head hours ago.

I shoot him a murderous glare.

“What?” He smirks. “He needs a sister. Plus, a child for each dog.”

“Dasher and Noelle keep us plenty busy. Now it’s gonna be three against two,” I remind him. They play-wrestle all day, but I’m constantly tripping over the toys they bring out. Although I adore them more than anything. It’s been fun albeit a little stressful.

“We’ll figure it out, my love. What’s life without a little chaos?”

I chuckle, hoping I can handle it all. Ever since I moved here, I’ve taken on some freelance work, but I stopped a few months ago when Noelle started taking up more of my time. Now I help at the farm’s gift shop when they need an extra hand.

“Finn and Oakley are here,” he tells me.

“They left the reception?”

“Yeah, they couldn’t wait to meet him.”

I smile. “Aw. Well, tell them to come in, then.”

Five minutes later, the bride and groom enter in their wedding dress and suit.

“Hope you don’t mind a couple visitors,” Oakley says.

“Not at all. Come in,” I tell them. Levi’s family already came and took turns holding him before returning to the wedding. They could tell I was exhausted and needed the rest, but the adrenaline has me wanting to stay up and hold him.

“He’s so adorable,” Oakley gushes when she gets a good look at him. “I love his chunky face.”

“Looks just like Levi,” Finn teases.

“He’s going to be a strong lumberjack like his daddy,” I say, smiling.

Levi takes the baby and waits for Oakley to sit in the rocking chair next to my bed before placing him gently in her arms.

“He’s perfect,” she coos.

“He really is.”

“Does he have a name?” Finn asks, and Levi tells him.

“Why am I not surprised you gave him a festive name?” Finn chuckles.

“He’s gotta take over the family business someday. We’re just setting him up for success,” Levi says proudly.

“So how’d everything go after we left?” I ask.

Oakley tells us about the reception and how they left after their first dance so they could be here.

“I hope you go back and enjoy your special day,” I tell her.

“Don’t worry, we will. I won’t be drinking, but—” Her hand flies to her mouth, and my jaw drops.

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” I gasp.

Her cheeks flush, and I know without a doubt, that’s a yes.

“We only found out a few days ago,” she quickly adds.

“Congrats, you two!” Levi pulls Finn in for a hug.

“Our kids will get to grow up together.” I smile at the thought.

“We better have a boy then,” Finn says. “I don’t trust a White around my little girl.”

“Oh God.” I chuckle.

Oakley rolls her eyes. “And so it begins.”

We laugh and talk about all the exciting events we’ll share together. She’s due sometime in July before Nicholas turns one, so either way, we’ll have lots of fun raising them together alongside our puppies.

After we say goodbye to Finn and Oakley, I nurse for twenty minutes, and then I’m ready to pass out. The excitement catches up to me and the pain meds have me falling asleep.

“I’m going to take him to the nursery so you can get some sleep,” Levi says, gently taking him from my arms.

I nod, needing to use the bathroom anyway, which is a whole adventure in itself.

When Levi returns, he sits on the edge of my bed and brushes his hand over my cheek. “I’m so proud of you. Watching you give birth to our son was amazing.”

“I’m glad you had fun,” I deadpan.

He chuckles. “There’s that grinchy attitude I love so much.”

I snort, too tired to even think of a comeback.

He pulls the covers up to my chest, tucking me in because he knows I hate being cold. “I’m going to lie in the bed next to yours. So let me know if you need anything or need me to find a nurse.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Leaning down, he presses his lips to my forehead. “Get some rest. Thank you for being the love of my life and giving me a family.”

I force my eyes open and smile at my sweet husband. “Thank you for loving me when I needed it the most.”

He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “It’s been my greatest joy.”