Snowed In With You

Epilogue

Sara

Fletcher laughed as Cammie threw a toy at my head while I tried to wipe milk-puke off of my top.

I held the squirming baby out to Fletcher in desperation and he took her with no complaints.

Rob and Tanya had gone on a weekend break, leaving their six-month-old daughter in my – okay, Fletch’s – capable hands.

Rob had needed to drag Tanya away after I’d made an off-hand comment about babies and alcohol, I wasn’t really that stupid, I knew they couldn’t drink until they were at least like, fifteen.

Rob had rolled his eyes at me but smiled.

A lot had changed.

Most of it good.

The truth was, I had very little experience with babies.

They were cute, but I hadn’t realised just how sticky they could be.

Or how prone to puke.

Fletcher took everything in stride, how he didn’t worry about their floppy heads and tiny little bodies, I had no clue.

Every time Cammie was in my arms I had an existential crisis at the fragility of her squishy body.

Fletcher said that was my maternal instincts but it felt a lot more like anxiety.

Either way, I was much more prepared to be Fun Aunt Sara than Responsible Aunt Sara.

That was why Fletcher had been a godsend.

He’d moved in with me just before Cammie was born, I adored his apartment but my place was simply bigger.

Tibs had adjusted well, though he wasn’t quite sure what to make of the baby yet, prodding at Cammie’s chubby hands with one careful paw and running away before she could get a hold of his tail or ears.

Cammie cooed in Fletcher’s arms and his eyes were soft as he rocked her in whooshing movements from side to side, making her giggle in delight.

At least we knew at this early age that she was already more fun than Rob – though he’d lightened up a lot since Tanya had become pregnant, he’d even laughed when I’d said that to him. Shocking.

Our Mom had been thrilled with Cammie’s arrival and I knew she was sad to have missed out on babysitting her this weekend but Rob had declared it was my turn and I had nervously agreed.

Things between Fletcher and I had been amazing.

Almost too good to be true, sometimes I found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop and I’d discover he had some weird hobby that would drive us apart.

Yet so far, we were far too similar for our own good – except for music, he was a staunch ballad fan where I’d rather listen to… anything else really.

Oddly enough, we all looked back on the lodge fondly – though I wouldn’t be going back any time soon – Tanya had even debated calling the baby Mack after the bay.

Rob had talked her out of that one by flying her to Paris.

I guessed he’d really hated the name.

Cammie had her head snuggled beneath Fletch’s chin, her dark hair looking sweet with small curls springing up at the back and I tugged on one lightly as I went over to stand next to them.

‘Surely it’s time for her nap now?’ I asked somewhat desperately.

I definitely wasn’t ready for one of these sweet monsters, but the practicing was definitely appealing.

Fletcher sent me a dark grin, ‘You want one then?’ he asked and I shook my head quickly.

‘Er no, just you.’ He looked a little hurt and I hastened to correct myself, ‘I mean, I don’t know, maybe one day or something but –’

A hand covered my mouth, ‘Shhh,’ Fletcher said.

‘She’s asleep.’ He walked into the second bedroom that was currently serving as a nursery during Cammie’s stay.

He walked back out empty handed a moment later and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

‘Fletch,’ I began but he sighed.

‘Sara,’ a smile spread on his lips, ‘I love you.

It’s fine.

I can wait.’

‘What if I don’t ever want kids?’ I whispered and Fletch stroked a hand across my cheek.

‘Then Tibs will have a lot of brothers and sisters in his future,’ Fletcher chuckled and I felt any tension in me melt away.

‘Besides, we can get very good at practicing,’ his teeth nipped at my ear and I hissed in a breath, ‘just in case.’

I laughed quietly as he pulled me towards our bedroom, ‘I’m okay with that.’

‘I thought you might be,’ he said, closing the door softly behind us.