Epilogue

Claire and Heath sat opposite Logan and Ava with a coffee table in between them. They were in the living room of Logan and Ava’s house during the afternoon. Claire had no idea what she was doing there in the middle of a workday, but she was there. Both Logan and Ava had serious expressions on their faces while Heath looked just as clueless as Claire. “So…” Claire spoke. “What are we doing here, exactly?” “I heard a rumor recently.” Ava spoke before she glanced down at Claire’s lap which her hands were resting on. Around the ring finger of her left hand was the engagement ring Heath had given her a few days ago. Of course. Why else would they be called there? Suddenly, Ava burst into tears, and both Heath and Claire became flustered at the sight of a sobbing Ava. Logan wrapped his arm around her and Ava buried her face into his shoulder as she continued to cry. Claire felt damp and knew she was probably sweating. She didn’t understand what Ava was crying about, and Logan looked awfully grim for some reason. The room was silent except for Ava’s sniffling for a few moments, but eventually, she spoke. “When?” The one-word question confused Claire. “When what?” “When is the wedding date?” Ava elaborated. Claire was startled by the question and looked at Heath. He stared back for a few seconds before answering, “We haven’t decided yet.” “Make it soon.” Ava demanded as she turned her head and stared at the couple from the corner of her eye. “As soon as possible.” Heath stuttered, “A-Actually, Claire wanted to-” But Claire quickly elbowed her fiancé in the side, cutting him off. If Ava found out that Claire had wanted to postpone their engagement announcement—no less the wedding date—Ava would probably cry even more…or worse. “We’re still working on the date.” Claire answered. She had wanted to live peacefully with Heath, but it seemed that wasn’t going to happen. Not yet at least—not until the wedding was done and over with. “If you need help, I’ll gladly assist.” She said before she sat up straight, no longer leaning on her husband. “I’m tired of having sons who are bachelors. They need to settle down.” “Speaking of your sons…” Claire muttered as she glanced to the side. The four of them weren’t the only ones in the room. In fact, there was another couple at the side who were sitting in a loveseat of their own. However, the woman did her best to not look at the man beside her. The man stared straight at her, wanting her attention. Nora’s eyes were all for Claire though and she had a smile on her face. Declan didn’t make it a secret that he wanted Nora to notice him. “I’m happy for you two.” She said. “I’m glad Heath’s finally going to experience happiness.” “Thanks.” Claire slowly said. “But Nora…what are you doing here?” Logan was the one who answered that question. “She was helping me with some temp work. And since she was here, I thought she would like to hear about the good news as well.” Claire smiled tightly, not truly knowing exactly why he had placed Nora in such an awkward position. Logan either, considered her family and wanted her to know, or he was plotting something just has he had with her and Heath. Was Logan’s new target his older son and the mother of Declan’s child? They were going to be in for one hell of ride if that was the case. “I thought Heath was going to be picky forever.” Ava spoke, still sniffling. “But he’s finally found a woman who can love him for who he is. Claire, I’m so glad to call you my daughter.” “I’m not your daughter technically yet.” Claire murmured. “No!” Ava shouted. “I consider you a daughter! I have for a long time, but now, now it’s going to be real. And Heath, I’m so proud of you for trapp-” She quickly changed her choice of wording. “-finding a girl like Claire.” Claire immediately began suspecting that Ava wasn’t as innocent as she had originally thought. Then again, she had married a twisted guy like Logan. She had to have caught his attention at least. But…just what was going through Ava Bishop’s head? “Mom.” Heath sighed. “Stop saying it like that.” “It’s true, isn’t it? How else would you get a girl like Claire?” “How’s our daughter doing?” Declan suddenly asked in a low voice to Nora. Claire noticed how he emphasized our daughter. Nora twitched before answering through barely parted lips, “She’s fine.” “I want to see her.” The two of them had an inaudible argument with each other while Ava and Heath continued with their heated discussion. Claire’s attention was focused completely on Declan and Nora, and she noticed that Logan had also joined in with the silent observation. There was a small smirk on his lips that wouldn’t be seen at a glance, but Claire knew him enough to know that Logan was more than just amused at the sight of his older son and the woman he was sitting next to having a conversation. “She’s your child as well. You can see her whenever you want to.” “Then let’s go see her now. I can take you back home.” “I drove here on my own. I’ll be fine.” “Then I’ll just follow you in my car.” Nora’s eye twitched and she finally looked at Declan, to which the man smiled when their eyes made contact. “Aren’t you busy with work?” she asked. “No.” His quick answer irritated Nora and she quickly turned her head to look down at her lap. Declan’s smile fell away from his lips as he stared at Nora with a serious expression. Claire couldn’t help but feel a smirk—similar to the one on Logan’s face—form on her lips. The sight of the two of them and their interactions were interesting and there was obviously more going on between them than they wanted others to think. Well, that probably applied to Nora only. Declan looked like he wouldn’t have a problem announcing to the world that Nora was the mother of his child. “You should stay behind and congratulate your brother for his engagement.” “I’m happy for him. That’s enough. Besides, he knows I’ll eventually throw him a grand bachelor party later.” At the mention of a bachelor party, Claire’s eyes immediately narrowed and she glanced at Heath. He seemed like a man who had no interest in strippers…but who knew. He might enjoy the company of skimpy-dressed women. Claire sighed though at the thought of her bachelorette party. She knew exactly who would volunteer to be the one to plan it. And if the woman got her way, Claire’s bachelorette party would be filled to the ceiling with male strippers and barely-clothed men. And Tori Jones would laugh at Claire’s suffering. Her face twisted from exhausted just from imaging it. But she noticed that Logan had turned his eyes to her, and she knew that he knew what she was thinking about. The old man was still scheming it seemed. Before Claire could send him a warning glare, Nora suddenly stood up from her seat. “I’m…I’m going home. Again, congratulations Claire. Heath.” Nora nodded at the two of them with a tight smile on her lips before she walked away. Declan watched her disappear through the door before he stood up as well. He fixed his suit and smoothed it down before smiling with ease. “It’s time for me to leave as well. I’m glad for you, Heath. And Claire…” he looked down at her with a spark in his eyes. “Welcome to the family.” Then he turned around and left in the same direction Nora had gone. Declan’s words had more meaning than they seemed. Claire knew because she had gotten a glimpse into what the Bishop family was like. And indeed, she was going to become a Bishop. Slowly, she looked at Logan and saw that he was smiling. But his smile was genuine. There was nothing shady behind it. “Welcome to the family, Claire.” He said and both Ava and Heath finally stopped talking. They stared at her, waiting to see what her answer would be. “Thank you.” Then Claire’s lips twitched into a smile and she looked Logan in the eyes as she said the single word that fitted the situation perfectly. “…Dad.” THE END.