Once Upon a Contract (Once Upon #2)

Epilogue

Daphne-One Year Later

T oday, Ezra and I celebrated our one-year anniversary. It's hard to believe that we've already been married for a year, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Our lives only got crazier after we said "I do", but in the best possible way.

Not only do Ezra and I still run our original foundations, but we have created a nationally recognized nonprofit that is based off of our original event where we came together to show our kids the benefits of combining technology and art. Instead of doing monthly events, the foundation now hosts quarterly events at over fifteen locations.

Neither of us could believe how our little idea exploded into a national endeavor in such a short time. Of course, we have Matty and Camilla to thank for the huge parts they've played. We couldn't have done it without them.

Surprising us all, the even bigger support came from my father. As soon as he finished his term as senator, he became the head of our foundation. He's been pretty hands-on from the beginning, but it was his connections that exploded the program into what it is today. When it started becoming too much for Matty, Camilla, Ezra, and me to handle, we knew that we would be leaving it in very capable hands with my father. Not only did our foundations take off, but both our professional lives have taken on a life of their own.

My father also came into his own without having my toxic mother pulling him down or the stress and responsibility of being a senator weighing on his shoulders. We repaired what was broken together through therapy and time, and I couldn't be happier about that. He is an integral part of our lives, and I love having him around.

I haven't seen my mother since the day of our event. After Ezra sent my father her message and blocked her, she threw the tantrum of all tantrums, burning several bridges in the process. My dad was already working on the divorce, but when she tried doing some shady moving of the finances she had available, his lawyer got a court order to freeze the accounts. Not having any access to money, my mom agreed to the terms of the divorce, which my father was able to expedite. The last I heard, she latched onto some big wig who deals with wine in Northern California. Repairing my relationship with my father, along with gaining Ezra's parents, filled the void she created years ago, leaving me better off when she left.

The program that Ezra was working on when we first got together is a smashing success. He was able to expand his business, providing valuable jobs to our community. He also started an internship program, hand-selecting kids from our foundations and providing them with on-the-job experience that would be vital for their future. What most people don't realize is that Ezra is super hands-on with his employees and once you're in his clutches, he won't want to let you go if you're a good worker. Those kids are probably going to be set if they decide to hang around with him.

As for my career, I am not only tattooing, but I'm also a commissioned artist. The tattoo shop is so busy that we've had to quit doing walk-in customers and now have a waitlist. Now that neither Wren nor I live above the shop, we've decided to move the studio to the third floor and reconfigure the second so that we can hire a few more artists down the line.

The small gallery show of my work was a complete success. The art curator and I became fast friends, which set us up for the best working relationship. She understands my anxiety about sharing my art and ends up creating the most intimate atmosphere for the art to shine within an environment that keeps me at ease.

But the biggest, most exciting event from this last year was the birth of our son. Ezra and I knew we wanted to start a family and were pleasantly surprised when we got pregnant right away. With my endometriosis, we knew that we could be facing some challenges to get pregnant. Seeing the positive test so soon was almost hard for us to believe. We know how blessed we are and have loved every minute of doting on our baby boy, who is so loved.

He is already spoiled rotten by his grandparents and aunt, but also his bonus aunties. Being pregnant at the same time as Wren made for some interesting days at the shop.

Who would've known eight years ago that the man who ruined all others for me would now be my best friend, my love, and the father of my child. With one wild year down, I can't wait to see where the next years take us.