Page 19 of Psycho Therapist

EPILOGUE

LORI

Three Months Later

Once Becky found out that Lee actually saved me from meeting, let alone falling victim to the ultra creepy, real-life psycho therapist Dr. Schmidt, she was actually more envious than ever but apologized to us both for sticking her beak in, and no. We never had that sleepover after all. Lee’s bed is where I belong now and it’s the only kind of sleepover I’ll ever need. For all Becky’s gossip and nosing around, it’s only because her life is actually pretty boring without it. Whereas mine has gone from the same to something I could never have ever thought possible. Least of all for me.

Becky made sure to get in on the media attention in the neighborhood though, falling for a news anchor and it looks like they’re serious about it. She’s even announcing their engagement before he’d proposed. But that’s Becky all over. We’re still kinda-sorta friends. This whole business has only brought some people closer but I still prefer Becky at arm’s length, for now at least. Plus, I do have my hands full most days with other things, like Lee.

They stopped plastering his face all over the news and the story soon emerged about the investigation into Dr. Schmidt. Once the bodies of victims started getting into the news, Lee forbid me to watch or read about any of it. Not that I’d want to. Gives me the chills just thinking how close I was to being the man’s next ‘patient’. And there’s no joking around anymore about LeebeingDr. Schmidt, from now on Lee is always the man from the shadows of the nice kind. The only kind I want.

Mom and Dad’s vacation that almost never happened was just what they both needed. The same kind of ‘therapy’ that I discovered helps me so much has helped them both reconnect in a way that makes them look like a couple of lovestruck teenagers. Mom’s never been happier and my dad is like a new man. While they were away Lee stayed over and supervised the repair of the doors as well as a million other things around the place he decided needed fixing in between my own maintenance schedule. And not once did he even mention how much any of it cost. I know he paid for it all out of his own pocket, but that’s Lee all over.

I moved into his place once Mom and Dad got home, our only little white lie to them was that the city had paid for the house repairs. By way of an unofficial apology for the trouble caused. I don't know if they really believe that, but Dad and Mom are both as smitten with Lee as I am. And who wouldn’t be? The man is more amazing by the minute.

I’ve got my own news too but just haven’t found the right moment to tell Lee or my parents. Still can’t really believe it myself… Then again, I do know how babies are made and Lee has been doing his part, that’s for sure.

Things come to a head when I get clucky and start nesting without even realizing it. Choosing one of the spare rooms opposite ours to redecorate, which Lee quizzes me on only because he’s concerned I’m bored.

“…Not bored. Just… Just feel like doing something… different,” I tell him and that’s all it takes for him to start probing me. Genuinely worried that I’m not happy with the way things are.

“…I’ll get a decorator in, just choose the colors.” He decides, but noticing my give away ‘I’ve got a secret face’, his inquiries turn in another direction. “…Are you thinking pink or blue?” he asks me, trying hard not to smile. Cocking his brow and giving one of his own all-knowing looks. And I have to admit, it's pretty hard to keep anything from Lee. Man can read me like a book but I always tell him everything… eventually.

“Lori-?” he asks me after I go quiet, wishing I'd gone about this a whole different way but there’s no time like the present.

“I- I’m pregnant,” I tell him in a soft voice, wincing when he goes quiet but it’s only because he's struck dumb. “We’re gonna have a baby…” I tell him, sounding a little more excited and once he hears me right I feel my legs going out from under me. Lee has scooped me up into his arms, squeezing me so hard I can't breathe.

“Oh, Lori… Why didn’t you say!?” He exclaims, shaking his head and kissing me between his words, “I mean- I thought you were- But… Oh, Lori! I’m gonna be a dad!”

I’ve never seen him so happy, never felt so relieved, and never, ever gonna not tell him anything straight away ever again. The worry about how he'd take the news has bugged me for some reason. And only because Lee’s always so big on it just being the two of us.

“I- I wasn’t sure if that's what you wanted…” I explain. Glad when he's not mad about me holding back on telling him. For like all of three days now, but still..

“Wanted!? Oh, Lori… All I want is you, but a baby with you? That’s like a dream come true. I actually thought I might be shooting blanks for a while… How- How pregnant are you?” He asks, suddenly realizing something in his mind. His brow creasing.

I giggle loudly, snuggling into his chest, explaining that pregnant girls can still have sex, which sees him relax instantly and squeeze me tighter.

“Does anyone else know? I mean- we should tell your parents.”

It’s not the first thing I was thinking, but okay. “Why?” I ask.

“Because I’ll need to ask them. For your hand… it’s old fashioned but no child of ours is coming into the world without a proper mom and dad!” he says with conviction.

“Is that- Is that some kind of proposal?” I ask, feeling my heart freeze up in my chest. His eyes softening as he gazes into mine as he nods makes my chest explode.

“Lori… I’m not gonna ask, I’m telling. Like I told you on day one. You're mine now and if you're having a baby then we're getting married.”

“Then I guess the answer has to be yes, doesn’t it?” I sigh in mock resignation.

“It does,” Lee rasps, kissing me long and hard. Carrying me to our bed.

“I love you, Lori. And I’m gonna show you just how much, every single day…just like this.”

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

LEE

One Year Later

---