Epilogue

Christmas – Kildare, Ireland

Melody

I settle Ciara down into her bassinet next to Edmund and slowly back out of the room. Once I pull the door closed and turn to face the hall, I let out the breath I was holding. Having them both asleep at the same time is a blessing these days.

I make my way into the great hall where the rest of my family sits around the massive Christmas tree Finn and Christian cut down then dragged in here for the kids. Even though I told them that they’re not even two months old yet and don’t need this massive fir taking up all of the room in the hall. I smile each time I come into the room and see it.

Gus sits with his baby sister in his lap, playing with wrapping paper, surrounded by the already forgotten pile of toys. I see Donnie and Finn on the far side of the room, heads together. No doubt making some crazy plans for the night. Shortly after the group arrived, Donnie and Finn went off to town for some drinks. Ever since the baby shower in July, they seemed to have hashed out their differences. It doesn’t matter much to Summer and me what they had to get out in the open between them. We are just happy that they aren’t at each other's throats all the time now.

Summer and Lydia are sitting with the kids by the tree. As I look around, at first, I don’t see Sam. Finally, I spot her sitting in the corner of the hall furthest from everyone. She’s looking out a window that faces the gardens. I make my way to her.

“Hey, Chica.” I place my hand on her knee as I sit down next to her. “You okay?” I ask, but my heart breaks for her when she looks up. Sam's eyes are full of tears and sorrow. “I’m sorry,” I lean in and hug her gently, “I know you wanted Colin to come with you. We thought you would be able to convince him.” Colin and Sam were supposed to make this trip together. But he told her he simply wasn’t ready at the last minute.

“I thought I could change him, Mel,” she sighs. “I thought I could make him stop hating what he is.” She freezes then, and her head shoots up. The look on her face tells me everything I need to know. I nod.

“How long have you known?” When I ask the question, I glance over my shoulder to see if Finn is still on the far side of the room with Donnie. I’m not sure how he will react to knowing Colin told Sam.

“Well, he tried to tell me the night we found out Summer was pregnant. But it wasn’t until the night before you and Finn left to come here that I saw it happen. I was at Colin’s place when Finn showed up. I heard them fighting inside. When Finn came out, I saw him shift, Melody. How do you do it?” Tears are rolling down her face by the time she finishes.

Squeezing her hand in mine, I say, “I don’t know, hun. It’s not like that for us. With Finn, it’s always been easy. He likes what he is. I like what he is. It’s just different for us. Maybe things will get better with—” She is shaking her head at me, so I stop.

“No, they won't. Colin truly believes he is cursed. He won't marry or have children because he doesn’t want to pass it on. I think he is struggling with your twins being here and Finn. I don’t know, Mel. It’s over.” She drops her head into her hands and cries in earnest then.

I shift in my seat and rub her back. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. Did you love him?”

“I thought so, or that maybe I could. But I’m not it for Colin, Mel. I don’t want to be with someone I’m not the be-all-end-all for. How Donnie and Finn look at you and Summer. I want that. I want to feel the love that I see those men have for you two.” Tears are still rolling down her face when she stops talking and sniffs. “I’m sorry, it’s Christmas. We shouldn’t be doing this. Let's go back.” Sam starts to stand, but I pull her back to her chair.

“Look at me, Sam. You are going to find someone who looks at you that way, someone who will love all of you for who you are and be there for you no matter what. I’m sorry things didn’t work out between you and Colin, but maybe it’s for the best. He clearly isn’t the person you’re meant to be with. Come here,” I say as I stand, hold my arms out to her, and pull her into an embrace.

“I love you, Chica. Why don’t you stay here with us until after the new year? Take a break from things back home and give yourself some distance from Colin?” Nodding, she pulls back and smiles at me.

“Really?” she asks, beaming, and I know it was the right decision. I’ll discuss it with Finn and Lydia later, but we have plenty of room, and we will have to find a way to tell them she knows what we all are, now.

“Really.” I smile back at her. “We will work out all the details with Finn and Lydia after dinner,” I tell her as we make our way back towards the tree where everyone is gathered now, laughing at the baby in Summer's arms. This is home, I think, thankful I have all of my family together at last.

The End.

The series continues in SECOND CHANCE SUMMER...