Page 134 of The Fiancé Hoax

Eva came closer to give me a hug. “We love you, too.”

Cooper wrapped us all in his arms. It was the perfect moment.

And best of all, we were only getting started.

EPILOGUE

COOPER

Five Months Later

“And now, Miss Lily Pierce will perform her dance to the song ‘Friar Jack,’” Eva announced to Felicity and me.

I grinned. “I think it’s ‘Frère Jacques,’ goose.”

Eva shrugged. “Same difference.”

She sauntered off the makeshift stage in the living room—really, just a mat we’d put in the middle of the floor after moving the furniture.

From our place on the sofa, Felicity and I watched Lily move to the center of the mat. She wore a pink leotard and a multicolored poofy skirt Felicity had created for her.

Eva tapped a button on the tablet I’d connected to the stereo, and the piano music filtered through the room.

Lily had been focused on her ballet classes lately, and she was eager to show us what she’d learned. She’d be in a dance recital for her class soon, and this was her favorite piece.

I watched with glee as my daughter, now seven years old, moved gracefully through the living room. Her upcoming performance in the recital was a major step. Lily would never have performed in public before Felicity entered her life.

Having a loving maternal presence in the house had been a game changer for both the girls.

They were happier and more secure. Their therapist had noticed their progress and told me that they no longer needed therapy unless they wanted to continue.

Felicity and I applauded as Lily's dance came to an end and she bowed. Eva, who had just performed her hip-hop routine, joined Lily on the stage and both girls joined hands for a final dramatic bow.

Felicity grinned. “Bravo! Beautiful dancing, girls,” she cheered.

“Excellent work, both of you,” I agreed. “I can tell you've been practicing a lot.”

The girls grinned, basking in the praise, and the doorbell rang.

“That's Inga!” Eva exclaimed. She ran off to open the front door.

“Can I have a snack?” Lily asked. “I'm hungry.”

“So am I,” Felicity said. “Let’s go see what’s in the fridge.” With considerable effort and a little help from me, she rose to her feet, her hands supporting her lower back.

At one week overdue, her belly was big and round.

I put a hand on her back and squeezed her shoulder. “How are you holding up?”

She smiled. “I'm ready to have this baby.”

I chuckled. “I'm sure you are. Need any help right now?”

She waved me off. “I’m fine. I’m just gonna grab a snack for the girls and me.”

I was ready for our new son, too. Dr. Temple said that if the baby didn’t come this week, she would have to induce labor.

Felicity and I had done everything to help the process. Exercise, herbal tea, nipple stimulation—which was my favorite of all.

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