Chapter 281 Chapter 281

Chapter 281 Chapter 281
Epilogue: Daniel & Emma
Emma stood in the backyard of her parents' house, watching chaos unfold with the kind of bemused affection only a mother of three and a big family could manage.
Three.
She still couldn't quite believe it sometimes. Five years ago, she'd married Daniel, told him about their first baby on their wedding night. Now they had Charlotte, who was four and a half, the twins Sara and Bryson, who'd just turned two, and Emma's hands were perpetually full.
Charlotte was currently attempting to organize the other children into some kind of game that involved a lot of running and screaming. She'd inherited Daniel's leadership qualities and stubborn streak. A dangerous combination.
"Lottie, not so rough!" Emma called out as her daughter nearly bowled over Honey and Grayson's son, Henry.
"Sorry!" Charlotte didn't sound sorry at all. She just grabbed Henry’s hand and pulled him along.
Emma shook her head, smiling. Today was the annual summer barbecue at the Taylor house. Everyone made an effort to be here. All the couples, all the kids running around like a small army of mayhem.
Faith and Luke had been beside themselves; they loved their extended family. Grayson and her friends had become their family. Even Honey’s father was here today.
Eric had also convinced his sixteen-year-old son, Aaron, from his first marriage to come. Not like he needed much convincing, Emma was sure. He loved having a younger sister and was very protective of Erin.
Emma watched Aaron now, sitting under a tree with a book, trying to ignore the mayhem. Not your typical teenager. He was reading and not on his phone. Every so often, he'd look up and smile at something one of the little ones did. He was a good kid. Maggie and Eric had done well with him. He had moved in with them four years ago. Emma didn’t know all the details, but he was happier now.
"Emma, can you grab the potato salad from the kitchen?" Faith called from the back door.
"On it, Mom."
Emma headed inside, passing Prue and Nate in the hallway. Prue was chasing Oliver, their little boy, who was determined to get into everything he shouldn't. Talk about hell on wheels.
"Stop him before he finds the cake!" Prue called desperately.
Emma laughed but managed to scoop up Oliver before he could make it to the kitchen. "Nice try, little one."
Oliver pouted but didn't fight. Oliver was the troublemaker. She handed Oliver over to his father.
In the kitchen, Emma found Honey and Lauren, both looking exhausted.
"Wine," Lauren said when she saw Emma. "I need wine. Where did we put it?"
"Top shelf," Emma said. "Away from tiny hands."
Lauren made a beeline for it.
Honey was bouncing her second child on her hip. Little Violet, who'd just turned one.
"How's she doing?" Emma asked, reaching out to tickle Violet’s foot. The baby giggled, a sound that never failed to make Emma smile.
"She's teething." Honey looked like she hadn't slept in days. Probably hadn't. "I've forgotten how awful this stage is. Henry was easier."
"They're all different," Emma agreed. She grabbed the potato salad from the fridge, then paused. "Where's your little one, Lauren?" Ethan was normally attached to Lauren's side because she had to keep a firm grip on him.
Lauren had two. James, the oldest, and Ethan, who was two and a half. Both absolute terrors when they teamed up.
"Wyatt has them," Lauren said, pouring herself a very full glass of wine. "Supposedly. Though I wouldn't be surprised if they've escaped by now and are plotting world domination. Has to be Wyatt's DNA."
Right on cue, a crash sounded from outside, followed by Wyatt's voice. "Jesus Christ! Ethan, put that down!"
Lauren sighed. "There it is. He needs every combat skill to keep that boy out of trouble.”
They all headed back outside. Emma set the potato salad on the table that was groaning under the weight of food. Luke and Daniel were manning the grill, Nate had joined them, Oliver successfully controlled and tucked under one arm like a football.
Grayson was trying to set up a sprinkler for the kids. He was failing spectacularly if the water currently soaking him was any indication.
"Need help?" Emma called.
"I've got it!" Grayson shouted back. Then the sprinkler shot water directly into his face. "Fuck!"
"Language!" Honey yelled from the porch. "Little ears!"
"Sorry!" Grayson didn't sound sorry. He sounded annoyed, pissed, and wet.
Emma watched it all unfold. The kids running wild, shrieking with laughter. The adults trying and failing to control them. Maggie chasing after Erin, who'd decided she wanted to climb the tree Aaron was sitting under. Eric, who had sat down next to his son, got up to help Maggie get Erin off the tree.
This was her life now. Chaotic and messy and full of noise and love.
Emma had thought she'd lost Daniel forever. Had wanted to die because living without him was too hard.
Now look at them. Married. Three kids. Surrounded by family and friends who'd all started families at the same time.
Her life now was insane at times. But it was also perfect.
"Em!" Daniel called from the grill. "Come here for a second."
Emma made her way over, stepping around toys and discarded shoes. Daniel's arm went around her waist immediately, pulling her close.
"What's up?"
"Nothing." Daniel kissed her temple.
Emma leaned into him, let herself breathe in the smell of him. Smoke from the grill, his cologne, something that was just Daniel. "The twins are going to need a nap soon. Bryson is getting cranky."
"I'll handle it after we eat,” Daniel said. "You've been running around all morning."
"So have you."
Daniel grinned at her. "Three kids, remember? This is our normal now.”
Emma looked around the backyard again. At Charlotte, who was now covered in mud and looked absolutely delighted about it. At the twins, who were sitting in the grass, pulling up handfuls of it and throwing it at each other. At all their friends' kids doing similar things.
Emma looked at her parents and Gage Johnson, standing on the porch, watching it all with the kind of contentment only grandparents could have. Daniel's parents hadn’t been able to make the BBQ this year because they were on a world cruise.
“We are so lucky," Emma said softly.
"Yeah, I think so too." Daniel kissed her mouth this time.
Ten minutes later, everyone was seated at the table on the back porch.
Daniel sat beside her, one hand on her thigh under the table. The kids were scattered on each side of them. Some in highchairs to keep them there.
"Before we eat," Luke said, standing up. "I just want to say something." Picking up his glass.
Everyone quieted. Even the kids, which was surprising.
"It wasn’t that long ago Faith and I dreamed of grandkids," Luke continued, “never did we expect so many so fast. Or the storm it would bring into our home.”
That got a laugh from everyone.
"But I wouldn't trade it for anything. We love our extended family, and we know you have each other’s backs through thick and thin." Luke said, his voice going soft. "Watching all of you build your lives, these families. It's everything your mother and I could have wanted. So, thank you. For letting us be part of it. For giving us these beautiful grandchildren who destroy our house every time they visit." Faith wiped a tear from her eye but lifted her glass as well.
"Dad," Emma said, throat tight. Underneath his jokes, his words were getting to her.
"I mean it." Luke looked at her, then at Grayson. "We're proud of you both. Of all of you.” Looking around the table.
Gage raised his glass. “Hear, hear. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Luke set his glass down. “Now let's eat before the food gets cold and the children revolt."
More laughter. Then everyone dug in, conversation flowing, kids making messes.
Emma felt Daniel's hand squeeze her thigh.
She looked at him, found him already watching her.
"I love you," he mouthed.
"I love you too," Emma mouthed back.
THE END