Page 13 of Organic for the Outcast (Rejected 7)

Epilogue One

Griffin

Ten years later:

“Mommy, mommy, there are initials carved on the bench. Since I’m learning letters in school, I finally know what they say!” our baby girl, Farah, says, pulling Farlee’s hand. Leading her through the hanging vines of our weeping willow and over to the bench. Farah is five years old and our pride and joy.

We ended up moving out of town with my brothers, and even Farlees' dad sold the farm and moved with us, living with us for the first few years. Farlee always knew what she wanted to do when we grew up, but we didn't have enough money when we first got out of this town. She took a job as a receptionist at the pound in our new town while my brother's and I got the business up and running. She was also taking night classes for a business degree. When we found out she was pregnant, we couldn't have been more excited but worried she would again have to put her dreams on hold. Her dad refused to let that happen. He kept Farah and made sure Farlee, me, and the baby were taken care of. As much as he could anyway. He’s the dad I never had but always wanted, and I couldn't imagine my life without him. All the work he and Farlee put in finally paid off. Now he and Farlee both run a successful animal rescue and sanctuary. We live on over sixty acres and are living the life we dreamed.

Farlee and her father were both sad to sell the farm but ready for a fresh start. Farlee and I were disappointed when we realized our spot would be sold as well. It took us a while to get over that one. We got married two years after we graduated, and on the day of our wedding dad, and yes, I call him dad too, that's what he is to me, gave us a wedding present. He had sold all the land… Well, all except five acres. That five acres included the pond, the willow trees, and the surrounding area. It would forever be ours.

We don't get out here as much as we would like, but it's still one of our favorite spots. Farah loves this place, too, and I can see the magical wonder in her eyes every time we bring her out here.

“This heart says A and T. Whose initials are those, Mommy?” Farah asks, and I see the wetness in Farlees' eyes.

“That's grandma and Pop-pop,” she tells her.

“G and F. That you and daddy, isn't it?” Farah says excitedly as she looks at the heart just underneath.

“That's right, baby girl. That is your daddy and me. He carved that in there the day we graduated,” Farlee says, looking back at me with so much love in her eyes. I know she sees the same feeling shining back at her through my face. Farah signs from beside her mom.

“I can't wait for a boy to add our initials under yours and daddy's,” she says dreamily. That pulls me out of my wife-obsessed haze.

“Uh, excuse you, little miss. No boy will be bringing you to this spot. You will be my little girl forever,” I say, slinking toward her with my hand out in claws. Farah rolls her eyes but screeches as I make a grab for her. She runs and laughs, hiding behind the tree. I chase her until she finally falls to the ground on her back, out of breath. I fall beside her as Farlee takes the spot next to me. We look up into the leaves of the willow, the same spot where I fell in love with my Honeysuckle.

“Mommy, when my little brother gets here. Do you think he will still want to play Fairies with me under this tree?” Farah asks Farlee. I whip my head to look at Farlee as she heaves a sigh.

“You're pregnant?” I ask in awe. We’ve been trying for about three years to have another baby since Farlee graduated, but we haven't had any luck. I got tired of seeing the devastated look on my wife's face every time she took a test, so I told her it might be time to look into other options. That was about six months ago.

“That's not exactly how I wanted to tell you, but Farah found the test in the trash and saw the baby on the box. She knew, and I was trying to find the best time to tell you. I’m sorr…”

I cut her off as I lean over and take her mouth in a hard kiss. I don't let her breathe for a good minute because I attack her with so much happiness, so much love pouring it into this kiss.

“Ewww... daddy, stop. You will scare all the fairies away,” Farah says from beside me. I laugh, pulling back from my wife. Looking at her and seeing our baby girl, knowing we have another little baby growing between us, reminds me of the gift I’ve been given.

We might have had a shit start in life, but we fought hard to overcome all the bullshit, and we all came out stronger for it. Who wants to be like everyone else anyway… when it is so much more fun being an outcast?

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