Page 132 of The Love You Fight For
“Don’t worry, Chy. I won’t let him snitch.”
Cheyenne grins, says thank you, and then disappears into the living room.
My dad shows up and greets Sam the same way Tiffany and Michael did—with nothing but love and acceptance—and my heart fucking soars.
My family has accepted the woman I love with open arms. They finally see her the way I see her, and it fills me with joy. It makes me glad I never stopped fighting for them. This family, this love, this life. It was worth the struggle. It was worth the fight.
When I look down at Sam and find her smiling up at me, I know she feels it.
I know she knows.
EPILOGUE
One Year Later
I hoistGabe on my hip and carry him back out to the dock.
I brought him to the cabin to do a diaper change, but he’s got his little swim diaper and floaties back on, and I know if I set him down, he’d take off stumbling down the path and jump right into the water. Ten months old and the little shit is fearless. I don’t know how Lennon does it.
“Quit squirming, Gabe, we’ll be at the water soon enough.”
I laugh at the way he pouts, looking just like Macon with his curly hair hanging in his eyes. I kiss his chubby little cheek and he giggles. Gabe is thoughtful and pensive like Lennon, but he’s bold like Macon. He’s got all their best qualities.
The first time we got him in the lake, he wasn’t sure what he thought of it. He furrowed his brow and studied the water. Kicked his feet slowly and tested it out. Now that he’s decided he likes it, though, we can’t keep him out of it. He’s been out here every day this week. As soon as he wakes up, he asks to swim. It’s adorable and exhausting.
“Mama,” Gabe yells, gesturing wilding to the water as soon as he sees Lennon. “Mama!”
Lennon laughs and glances at us from where she’s sitting on the dock. She’s not even out of her first trimester yet, but she’s already got a little baby bump with this one.
We were all shocked when Lennon told us she was pregnant again, but I don’t think anyone was as shocked as Lennon. This pregnancy has been really uncomfortable for her. Morning sickness that lasts days. Insomnia and fatigue. She’s had to put a hold on all of her painting commissions, and I’ve been keeping Gabe a lot just so my best friend can rest while Macon is working at the rec center.
This week at the cabin has helped, though. That’s why I suggested it. The cabin makes everything better.
“C’mere, little man,” Chris says from the water. “We’ll let you swim.”
Chris holds his hands out for Gabe and he nearly jumps from my arms and into Chris’s. Macon lets out a loud laugh, and I flare my eyes at Lennon.
“He really loves the water.” I sit down next to her and dip my feet in the lake. “How are you feeling?”
Lennon smirks.
“You don’t have to ask me that every five minutes,” she says playfully. “But I feel okay. I haven’t thrown up yet, so I’m hoping that means I’m getting to the end of the worst of it.” She nudges my shoulder with hers. “How areyoufeeling?”
I purse my lips and think it over while Chris and Macon splash around in the lake with Gabe. They’re laughing and having fun, and I want to soak up the sound. I don’t want to forget it. It’s a kind of happiness I never thought I would experience, and I never want it to end.
“I’m good,” I say after a moment. “I’ve done everything I need to do. The lawyers say I probably won’t have to set foot in the courtroom because I’ve recorded everything. The media attention will probably pick up again once the trial starts next week, but I’m ready. I’ve got the restaurant opening to focus on, and I’ve got you guys. They think it will probably be a quick trial, and once it’s over...”
I shrug.
Once it’s over, it’s over, and I don’t have to worry about any of them again. Not my mom, who filed for divorce days after my father’s gala and moved permanently to France, and not my brother, who has so far ignored his outstanding subpoenas and will likely be arrested if he ever sets foot on American soil again.
I wish Ashton Cartwright had gotten some sort of legal repercussion, but the public disgrace and arrest of his father, paired with the loss of his family fortune was a pretty decent punishment. Ashton hasn’t taken well to the rapid change of social status and tax bracket, and I find it amusing. He hates me but fuck him. I hate him, too.
I hate them all, and they can all burn. I’ll be glad to never think about any of them again once this is all over.
Lennon takes my hand in hers and squeezes.
“I’m proud of you,” she says. “Are you proud of you?”
