Page 121 of Impending Consent

Epilogue

TWO YEARS AND SOME CHANGE…

Sailor

Tiny safari animals filled our backyard. Stuffed giraffes peeking from behind trees, lions lounging near the buffet table, and a parade of elephants leading toward where the birthday cake would be. If anyone had told me two years ago that I'd be hosting a safari-themed first birthday party for my son, I would have laughed in their face. Like seriously fucking laughed.

Here I was, watching River move unsteadily across the grass in his tiny khaki outfit, complete with a miniature explorer hat that kept falling over his eyes.

"Need a hand with that?" My father appeared at my side and nodded toward the stack of gifts I was arranging on the table.

"I've got it but you can pass me that tape."

He handed me the scotch tape and his eyes followed River as he dropped into the grass, giving up on the struggle to fumble through it, and crawled to his cousin. TJ and Indi's son Emerson was equally unsteady on his feet but determined to keep up with Skylynn who, at six, was taking on her role as oldest cousin very seriously. Oddly enough the Addison family had two new additions back to back. Indi and I delivered a month apart.

"She's showing them her bug collection." My father grinned, watching as Skylynn carefully opened a small container for the boys.

"Lord help us all if there's an escape. Rival just finished installing screens on all the windows. I don't think he could handle another critter invasion."

My father chuckled and I glanced at him, noticing how happy and relaxed he seemed. Retirement had softened him, or maybe it was the full-time role of grandfather, but either way he was lighter.

"You're doing good with him. With all of this actually."

I glanced up, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone.

"River's easy to love.”

"I wasn't just talking about River."

My father's gaze swept across the yard, taking in Skylar leaning down to talk to their son Camden while Gray manned the grill. TJ and Indi were setting up the drink station and Rival's mother was chatting animatedly with my mother as they arranged tiny safari themed plates on kiddie tables.

"I was talking about this—family, balance, life. You managed it all with a grace your mother and I never mastered."

“Mom did just fine,” I noted and he nodded.

“Okay, then better than I managed.”

“You weren’t that bad.”

He arched his brow and I grinned.

"I did my best but I pushed too hard and expected too much. I see how you, Skylar, and TJ are with your children. You’re present in a way I rarely was. You've all become better parents than I ever managed to be."

"Daddy—" I started, but he shook his head.

"It's not self-pity, Sailor. It's pride. I'm proud of all of you. The families you've built and the balance you've found.Especially you. I never thought you would find this kind of contentment."

"That makes two of us," I admitted.

"Rival is a good man. I was wrong about him and I’m damn sure glad you didn’t listen to me."

"Did you just admit to being wrong? Should I call for medical assistance?" I teased.

He grunted but smiled. "Don't push your luck, counselor."

A squeal of delight pulled our attention back to the children. Rival had appeared with one of many surprises he had for the kids today, a wooden safari Jeep just big enough for the three youngest kids to sit in.

"He's been working on that for weeks. Disappeared into his shop after River went to bed every night to make sure he got it done in time. I’m pretty sure he slept out there a few nights."

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