Epilogue: Nineteen Years Later

You wake up, slowly. It’s Monday, but it’s a holiday, so you’re not in the office today; but though you didn’t need the alarm this morning, you still have a full day ahead, because it’s Amber’s birthday.

You roll your head on the pillow to see your beautiful wife sleeping next to you. She’s 40 today, but not particularly bothered by the fact; of course, people who don’t know her regularly take her for ten years younger (or more), so she has nothing to be sensitive about. She looks much the same as she did when you married her—eighteen years ago last December 20—except that her beauty has ripened. She looks like she’s matured without aging, if that makes any sense.

It’s particularly impressive given that she’s carried four children. Amber has always worked hard to keep herself in good shape, but it helped that—as was the case for her mother—pregnancy didn’t have much long-term effect on her body. Taken together, four pregnancies have added a cup size to her bra and a bit more curve to her hips, and that’s about it. Her friends don’t think it’s fair that having kids has only made her even sexier, but they don’t hold it against her. (Much.) They’ve all been delivered via C-section, so she does have the surgical scar, but her bush covers that. At 40, Amber in a bikini can still stop traffic.

You can hear the faint sounds of the kids awake elsewhere in the house. Emma, who turned 15 a few months ago, is just as promising as her mother was at that age. It makes you grin that though she could have any boy she wanted, she’s focused on becoming an engineer and has neither time nor interest to spare for the social scene. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a boyfriend, though. Last year, she turned her steady study partner, a tall, gangly nerd who reminds me a lot of myself at that age, into a steady boyfriend. He didn’t have a lot in the way of social skills, but she said he was cute and sweet and smart and confidently announced that she would “civilize him.” He’s shaping up nicely, and blossoming socially with her constant love and encouragement. They haven’t gone any farther than foreplay yet because they don’t think it’s time for more. (Or rather, Emma doesn’t think it’s time for more, and Adam isn’t about to argue with her.)

Matthew will be 13 next month; he’s a high-energy boy, all extrovert, who loves to perform—drama, singing, anything. His clear boy soprano appears to be turning into a resonant bass voice that will probably guarantee him a place in any vocal ensemble he could want. He has a fine ear, too, and real musicality. He has his sights set on performing-arts schools like Juilliard, and though you’re obviously biased, you think he has a shot. Unlike his older sister, he’s the life of the party wherever he goes and always delighted to find a party to be the light of. The girls love him and he loves them back, but he hasn’t found any who stand out for him yet.

Your 12-year-old son David is Matthew’s polar opposite. He was an oops—not that you didn’t mean to have him at some point, but you were trying to space your kids out more than that. It’s been a real blessing for you, however, as David and Matthew have been as close as twins for most of their lives. They could hardly be more different—Matthew’s always been tall for his age while David is on the short side, and David is as introverted as Matthew is extroverted—but they complement each other well. Matthew keeps pulling David out of his comfort zone, while David’s steadiness keeps Matthew grounded (and often keeps him out of trouble). Where Matthew is the performer, David is the writer—stories, plays, even songs. They collaborate quite a bit, so when they talk about all the things they’re going to create together as adults, you wouldn’t put it past them. You know there are a few girls interested in David, but only because Matthew has noticed. So far, if David is aware of the fact, he hasn’t shown any sign.

Last but far from least, your daughter Mia is an 8-year-old firecracker. She’s always into things, interested in everything that comes her way, and a complete tomboy. She loves to read and she loves to run, and woe betide anyone who gets in her way. She’s a little bundle of exuberant energy who lights up every room she enters. She might be the brightest of all your kids, which is saying something. Her teachers work hard to keep her challenged; it’s a good thing, because on the rare occasions when they fail, it’s like pulling teeth to get her to do her schoolwork. Mostly, though, she loves to learn. You have no idea what she’ll end up doing with her life, but you’re sure it will be fun to watch.

Around having and parenting four kids, both your careers have continued to grow. Your business has flourished, so Amber was free to take time off and work from home when they were small. You put an addition on the house some years ago, adding a fourth bedroom and an office for her along with some additional common living space; she worked with an architect to design the addition. Her skills and talents earned her enough of a reputation over the years that once Mia was old enough, Amber started her own design firm. It’s small, because she likes it that way; she and her staff only take on jobs that interest them. Mostly they do a mix of high-end projects and public work intended to benefit the poor and underprivileged, and they’ve won prestigious awards for both.

Your marriage hasn’t been perfect over the years, of course—no one’s ever is—but it’s been good and strong and you’ve never once regretted it. You love and respect each other deeply, and even when you’ve been angriest with each other, you’ve never forgotten that you’re both on the same side, so you’ve always been able to work through your conflicts.

The greatest problem over the years has been April, but there was never much disagreement between the two of you on dealing with her. She died young, two years ago; she was only 54. Sadly, she was never willing to reconcile with either of you, not even for the sake of your children. You always regretted that your kids only had one set of grandparents; fortunately, your parents’ relationships with all of them have always been great. As for April—she died alone. She had been single for some years when she developed cancer, and there was no one to support her as she tried to fight it. You and Amber went to her funeral, but for a woman of her prominence in the community, there weren’t all that many others who attended.

You set those thoughts aside to focus on your beautiful wife as she stirs, then turns to face you. “Happy birthday, sexy lady,” you tell her. “I love you.”

A radiant smile lights Amber’s sleepy face. “I love you too,” she purrs.