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15.Epilogue One




Steppin' Out Tonight // Joe Jackson

Matt

I can tell that Hannah suspects nothing when we pull up to her mom's house. She's talking away about how hungry she is, not stopping once to comment on all of the cars parked in front of the house.

Seriously, these people need a lesson in how to throw a surprise party. Rule number one: Don't park in front of the house. How hard is that? I'm biting down on my frustration, especially when I notice that my mom's car is the one right smack across from the front door.

"Can we get donuts on the way back? I'm really craving a fresh donut."

"Um, yeah. Sure." I pocket my keys and grab her hand. Out of the corner of my eye I can see her other hand on her swollen belly. Six months pregnant and still the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.

"And then maybe some ice cream. For a snack. Tonight."

"I think there's ice cream in the garage freezer, baby." Hannah and I both moved out of the dorms and into my house. Having both of us around has really helped my mom, I think. She still hasn't started any kind of therapy, but I have hope. Even Mark is spending more time at home, although his buddy, Ryan, is practically a permanent fixture now. He's cool. The kid loves football so I can't complain.

Hannah and I reach the front porch causing my nerves to spike. She reaches for the front door, but before she can turn the nob, it's ripped away from her as the door is flung open.

"Hey! You're here!" Kyra stands on the other side, grinning from ear to ear.

Standing behind Hannah, I give Kyra a "what the hell?" look. Because what the hell? Doesn't anyone know how to throw a surprise party? I did my part. I kept her busy all day, brushing off her requests to go home and take a nap because I didn't want her catching wind of anything from anyone. I didn't trust my mom or Mark to keep their mouths shut. And for good reason, apparently. This surprise sucks so far.

"Yeah. I'm here. Why are you here?" Hannah asks as Kyra grabs her by the arm and pulls her into the house.

"I have an emergency outfit situation. Let's go up to your room so I can show you. I've been waiting here for an hour."

"How did you know I was coming over?"

I'm grinding my teeth at Kyra's foot-in-mouth marathon.

"Oh, it's Sunday. You always stop by the house for family dinner. I needed an in-person opinion, not facetime. So here I am."

I have to give it to Kyra. That was a quick recovery. She walks behind Hannah up the stairs and looks back at me over her shoulder, mouthing something I can't make out.

What? I mouth back.

She rolls her eyes and mouths slower.

Outside. Backyard.

The two continue up the stairs, Hannah visibly starting to waddle with her belly, which no lie, I love. I head out back to find everyone at tables with little yellow and black bumble bee decorations. The "What Will Baby Bee" theme for our combined baby shower slash gender reveal was Hannah's mom's idea. It's pretty cute.

Yellow and white daisy's fill the centerpieces. A candy and desert table, all in the bumble bee colors, is next to a baby name suggestion jar, already filled with little white strips of paper. These people can't actually think we'll use one of their suggestions. Because, no way. Thank fuck that none of my teammates were invited. They'd have made ridiculous suggestions.

Like Otis.

As if I'd name my kid, Otis.

"Matt!" My mom whisper shouts from the side of the house, waving me over to her.

"Mom, no one's hiding. Why the whisper?"

"I don't want Hannah to know I'm here."

I fight the eye roll hard enough to practically give myself a headache. "Then you shouldn't have parked directly in front of their house. Did you ever think about parking around the corner?"

Mom covers her open mouth with both hands. "Oh no! Did she see? I had to bring in your gift and it was too big to carry very far. I was going to move my car after but got distracted helping Claire set up. We've been busy all day, but doesn't it look wonderful?"

I can't be pissed at her when her eyes are finally lighting up. Life. The woman is living, for once. I'm not about to take that away.

"Yeah, Mom. It's perfect. Hannah's gonna love it. Which reminds me...what happened to the surprise portion of the event?" I'm not gonna lie, I'm disappointed. The build-up did not live up to the hype. There's been zero payoff so far after all of the work I did to make sure Hannah never found out that we were planning all of this. She still thinks we're having a small family gathering tomorrow night and opening the envelope from the ultrasound.

Little does she know that I slipped the envelope to Hannah's Aunt Jess. She's the one who arranged the reveal. Hannah's mom, Claire, and my mom took over the rest.

"Oh! That's your job. We are all about to gather on the side of the house. Then you send Hannah a text to come join you out back. She comes out, we yell 'Surprise!' and that's it."

I nod. "Okay. Would have been nice to be included in that plan earlier, but whatever." I pull out my phone to send the text, but my mom grabs my arm.

"Not yet! Wait for Kyra to come outside. That's your cue."

"Once again, would have been nice to know." My mom is almost giddy with excitement. Meanwhile, the reality of knowing if my kid is going to be a boy or girl has suddenly hit me. I'm buzzing with an entirely different kind of energy.

Anticipation.

"Kyra's coming out!" Claire whisper shouts. "Positions everyone!" The few close friends and family move to the side of the house near Claire's garden. Behind the group, hung from a rope held up by posts, is a board painted with little bees and sunflowers and a sign that says, "A little Honeybee is on the Way."

"Matt, now!" My mom nudges my shoulder, so I pull up Hannah's contact and send the text.

Me: Hey, baby. Meet me in the backyard."

She texts back almost immediately.

Hannah: Ugh. I'm tired. I need a nap.

Hannah: Come up here and cuddle with me.

I wasn't prepared for her to say no. This calls for some quick thinking.

Me: First, come out back. I have an idea for after the baby is born and I want you to visualize it. The backyard is key.

Hannah: Okay. Fine. But you owe me a cuddle.

Me: noted

It only takes a minute for Hannah to open the back sliding door and step outside. Before she's all the way out the door, everyone shouts, "Surprise!"

"Ahh!" Hannah practically slips from the shock but I'm next to her in two seconds flat with my arms supporting her.

"What the heck! Where did everyone come from?" Hannah's eyes are wide as she takes in the group now gathered around us. Her family, Jeff and Kyra and their parents, my mom and brother, teammates and friends from school. I've always been surrounded by a group, always had friends in my circle. But this time it hits different. These people have supported us, supported me, through the worst and now they are here to celebrate the best. I don't deserve any one of them, but I couldn't be more grateful to have them all in my life.

"It's a surprise baby shower."

"Oh!" Hannah suddenly gazes across the backyard and takes in all of the decorations. "Bees?"

I shrug. "Your mom thought of this theme to help keep things undiscovered. In case you snooped and found the decorations you wouldn't think it was for a baby shower and gender reveal."

"Today? We're finding out today? I thought it wasn't until tomorrow!" Hannah is shaking as she speaks. "When! When! Can we do it now? The suspense is killing me. I have to know."

Hannah pulls on my shoulders then my arms as she's talking, becoming more visibly desperate as the seconds pass. I look up and scan the backyard for her Aunt Jess, finding her stepping into the house with Hannah's mom.

"I'll ask. Hang on." I try to pull away from Hannah and go after Jess but Hannah's got me in a death grip.

"I'm coming with you."

That's probably a good idea. Me, they'd say no to. But one look at Hannah and I'm sure they'll get the ball rolling on the gender reveal. I'm still feeling a heavy weight about the whole thing, not sure how I will react either way.

As I predicted, Hannah played her pregnant hormone card and cried while begging to skip the games and go right to the reveal. At first her Aunt was hesitant, but Claire is so laid back about that kind of thing that she overruled her own sister.

"What harm will it do to kick things off with the reveal? Then everyone can relax and celebrate."

Can't argue with that.

We are led back to the garden sign where I am handed a flimsy, plastic football. I look up in confusion. Aunt Jess smiles and explains.

"Use that athletic arm and throw the football at the board. When it hits, the football will break open and either pink or blue powder will billow out. Then you'll know."

Shit. This is it. I have nerves I don't understand because either way, it's my kid. I look at Hannah then lean in and kiss her lips.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

I nod and swallow the nerves. It only takes a second to set up my throw and launch the ball forward. As soon as it leaves my hands I hold my breath. Then, explosion. Soft, pink powder billows everywhere.

I turn to Hannah and take her in my arms. And lose it.

"A little girl." Hannah whispers, her lips right up against my ear. "You're going to be a girl daddy. The best girl daddy."

I lose it a little more. Now that I know, I understand the nerves.

I was fucking scared to have a little boy. I was terrified I'd be like my dad was to me and my son would never be good enough. With as much therapy as I'm going through, I understand that is an irrational fear at this point. I'm so much more aware now that it isn't really something to fear. But still, knowing I have a fresh chance. A girl. I don't have the built-in bad habits in my subconscious with a baby girl.

"Are you okay?" Hannah leans back to look at me since I'm sobbing. "Are you not happy?"

"No baby. I'm happy. So damn happy. A girl."

Hannah's smile is beaming.

"Good. Now let's party."

"I thought you wanted to take a nap and cuddle."

"There's time for that later. Suddenly I'm wide awake."

Yeah. That's a good way to describe my life now. I'm wide awake and living, not hiding from life.

In a few months I'll have even more to live for. Another little heart to call mine. Our baby girl.

Once again, I made it!! I had my doubts all week, but I really want to finish this so I can focus on Broken Promises, and Jeff's story...then Jackson's story (from Blue Bloods) and Kyra's story, and Micah's story, and Jake's story (from Hollywood) SO MANY STORIES!

As of right this minute I am 8 followers away from 3k. When I hit that magic number I am holding a giveaway for a signed paperback of Broken Lullaby!! If you'd like your name added to the random picker, comment here 💕

If you have Kindle Unlimited, would you consider reading Broken Lullaby? We'd love to build our page count as well as our reviews (seriously, even if you hated it). Although it does have a 4.5 or higher average review rate on Amazon and Goodreads so... If you don't have KU, the ebook will be free from Nov 1-3!!

Enough about that, come back next week for ONE MORE EPILOGUE and then the end. A behind the scenes chapter will follow and a few weeks later (fingers crossed) JEFF'S STORY!!

My playlist is tired at this point, but Steppin' Out Tonight has the right party vibes so I used it.

https://youtu.be/PJwt2dxx9yg

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