Page 85 of All Your Firsts Without Me

She gives him a grumpy face, her tiny brows pulling together in a scowl. It makes me giggle. “I think she’s going to give David a run for his money. Aren’t you, baby?” I run my finger lightly down the side of her face and her mouth tips in something resembling a grin.

The End

EPILOGUE

Westin ~ Five years later

“Earth to Westin. Earth to Westin,” Kaden calls by my side.

I flip him off and he laughs.

“Your head is in the clouds, man.” He casts his line off the pier before sitting down on his cooler.

“Wasn’t she perfect at the AMAs?” I ask, embarrassed by how breathy my voice sounds.

“Yeah, yeah. The bell of the ball.” He rolls his eyes.

My mind strays back to that night. It was April and I’s debut to the world. Our album hit number one at the beginning of the year, and we were invited to sing at the American Music Awards last week.

You’re wondering what took so long? The answer is simple. Three kids.

But it was worth it. The foundation in David’s memory is soaring sky high.

She was beautiful, in a gown of gold. Her hair down and curling around her slender shoulders. Hmm. Damn. I glance at my watch to see if it’s the kids’ naptime.

“Don’t even think about it,” Kade says, laughing. “I’m not going to listen to you two go at it.”

“When are you leaving?” I tease. Really, I’m joking. Not.

He laughs again, “How many babies are two going to pop out?”

“As many as she wants,” I answer truthfully. I reel in my line, ready to call it a day.

Kaden stands, doing the same.

“What about you and Carly? When are you guys going to get started on a family?”

“I’m waiting for Kat to get old enough to babysit,” he laughs, giving me a non-answer.

“She’s a pretty darn good one right now. For only being five, she’s great help with her brothers.”

When we get to the house, the little girl we speak of is sitting on the floor with said brothers. Kathryn is stacking blocks high and then letting the boys knock them over. They both giggle, rolling on their backs as she resumes the tedious task of setting one on top the other.

Kaden sneaks up behind her. Both boys watch him with ornery grins on their face.

“Boo!” he yells.

She jumps to her feet, turning towards him. She jumps into his arms. Nothing much scares her.

“Uncle Kade!” she squeals.

“How’s my little Kat,” he asks, rubbing his scruff over her cheeks, making her squirm away from him.

She grabs his beard, holding his face still, then she turns serious on him. “We went to the store and mama bought your favorite cookies, then we went to the library, and then we went to the post office.” Her bright green eyes turn sad.

He lifts her higher on his hip. I reach over, running my finger over her bottom lip. “What’s wrong, baby girl?”

“Mama’s been crying ever since we went there.”

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