When The Rain Falls

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

FINN

Almost a year later

I can sense it's morning before I open my eyes. The dawn light teasing my closed eyelids has a feel of change about it, signaling the coming of falling leaves and colder days. I rub my cheek into my pillow and pause to enjoy the soothing sound of Aimee humming from behind me.

When two little feet jab me in the back, my face stretches into a grin.

Aimee and Everest are early risers and I love waking to their rustling and quiet noises every morning. I used to prefer to sleep in on the weekends. Now, I’m eager to wake up and start another morning with the people who fill my days with so much life. I’d trade all the sleep in the world for more moments with them.

When I turn over and finally pry my eyes open, my gaze first lands on Aimee. She’s on her side facing me, the view of half her face eaten by her pillow. Everest is nestled up to her breast. She’s brushing his wispy baby hair and admiring his tiny features. Everest’s hand is resting on her collarbone, where he's rhythmically curling his fingers open and closed. His perfect little fingernails trace lines into her skin.

The sight melts me on the spot. And I hope this is one of those scenes that passes before my eyes at the end of my life. I forgot how tender the love is between a mother and a child. It’s overwhelming sometimes. The fact that I get to experience all these things again.

She's slipped into the role of mother so easily. And she loves this little boy so fiercely. I feel a twinge of guilt that he’s going to have a grumpy old asshole as a father. Damn, I’m going to be 61 when he graduates from high school. But Aimee’s energy and enthusiasm over, well, fucking everything, is bound to make up for my shortcomings.

My face travels down Aimee’s body. Her breasts are full and heavy under her tank top and I'm trying really hard not to get a hard-on while she's nursing our son but it's fucking impossible. I already ache to bring her close and feel her body respond to my touch.

Aimee’s eyes shift to mine. “Hey mama bear,” I greet her, my voice deep and rough from sleep.

When Everest notices that he’s lost his mama’s full attention, his mouth pops off her breast. He turns his head towards me curiously.

“Good morning my little sleep terrorist.” I tease as I lean down to kiss Everest’s head. The baby between us puts Aimee just out of my mouth’s reach. I have to settle for running my hand from the dip in her waist to her hip and giving her a squeeze. When Everest smiles shyly at me, I can't help but notice his little nose wrinkles in the way that Aimee’s does. He stretches his arm towards my face and I kiss his fingers. Satisfied, he cuddles back up snuggly against his mama.

Everest James Hudson. Aimee picked his name. She was set on it. For reasons I didn't fully understand. Everest. Something about a mountain growing in her soul.

“You little man, need to learn to sleep in your own crib.” I scold gently as I rub Everest’s back.

“I like him here.” Aimee whines.

“I like it too, babe.” I assure her. “But if he wasn’t right fucking between us, I could wake up to a handful of your ass.”

“Bear, that’s two words from the no-no list. You can’t say those words around Everest, remember.” Her voice is chastising but her eyes are amused.

“Maybe I say them because I enjoy your punishments.” I raise an eyebrow and Aimee chuckles.

“You’re such a bad boy.” She brings her mouth down to the baby's small head. “Everest, your dad is a bad boy.”

“Everest, your mama is fucking sexy and your daddy has some things he wants to do to her right now.” I tease. “Especially since it’s a special occasion.”

“A special occasion?” Aimee scoffs gently. “Bear, you don’t have to make up a story to get my attention.”

“It is a special occasion, Aimee. It’s our anniversary.”

“We don’t get married until next month.” Aimee wrinkles her nose in confusion. I fucking want to kiss those wrinkles on her nose.

I had intended to take my time with Aimee but unbeknownst to her, IUDs have expiration dates. When we found out she was pregnant, we decided to jump in all the way. She looks fucking sexy with my engagement ring on her finger.

“It’s the anniversary of the day we met.” I say, as her eyes study me closely. I caress her hip bone as I continue. “September 1st. One of my favorite days.” Laurel’s birthday used to hit me hard. But not anymore.

“The day I bit you?” Aimee startles Everest as her chest rumbles with laughter. “ That’s one of your favorite days?”

“Yeah.” I prop my body up with my elbow, lean forward and kiss her. “Come here and bite me again.” I taunt, doing my best to align my hips with hers, which is not an easy task considering the bundle between us. I slip her tank top strap off her shoulder and replace it with a kiss.

That's when the door flies open. I turn my head in time to hear Vivian cry, “Gross, Dad.”

These fucking kids.

“Goddammit, Viv.” I mutter, settling onto my back. “You can’t bust into our room and then complain about what you see. What do you need?”

“It’s Saturday. You said you’d take me to the mall to get new cleats.” Goddammit. I forgot I agreed to that. The mall has crowds. And lines. And parking lots. All those things makes me so fucking twitchy. Vivian doesn't wait for my answer. She walks into the room and plops down at the foot of the bed. She coos at Everest. Aimee adjusts the two of them before offering him up to Vivian. She takes him up eagerly.

“Watch his neck,” I remind her. Vivian glares at me. She’s started doing that lately. Great. Just what this house needs. More glares.

“I can take Vivian.” Ruby offers as she joins us in the room. She got her license last month and it terrifies me every time she leaves the house.

“Hey, let's all go.” Aimee exclaims excitedly. “We can turn it into our annual fun fall day.”

“Yay!” Vivian does a little happy dance as she sways Everest in her arms.

“ Yay .” I mutter sarcastically.

“We can get pumpkin spice lattes and pick out Halloween costumes.” Aimee’s eyes have that glimmer in them. It’s a glimmer that tells me my entire day is predetermined. I groan at the thought of spending the next five hours pushing a stroller around the fucking mall wearing a thick flannel shirt.

“Oh stop,” Aimee scolds me. “We’ll get you a chocolate donut and you’re going to love it.” And despite my grumbling, I know that she’s right. “Plus, we need to find you a troll costume.”

I cover my face and laugh into my palm.

“Oooh! What should Everest be for Halloween?” Ruby slips her finger into his hand. He babbles brightly to his older sisters as he kicks his legs.

“A cute little pumpkin. Or we can wrap him up like a subway sandwich.” Vivian suggests.

“He’s so chunky. Maybe a little piggie.” Ruby offers, bringing her head down to his face. “Are you a cute little piggie?”

“He’s not a doll,” I grumble. Poor fucking kid. He’s totally a doll. And he’s completely at their mercy. I know exactly how he feels.

Aimee curls up next to me and I wrap my arm around her, kissing the top of her head. As the girls throw out more costume suggestions, each one more ridiculous than the next, the room begins to fill with their laughter. I let the sound consume me as tears prick my eyes.

Once again I have everything.

And it's all in this room.