Changes - Chapter 13

Epilogue Epilogue - Five Years Later I was meeting the girls for lunch today. I waited anxiously at the restaurant when I saw Natalie enter with my granddaughters. "Over here girls," I waved and smiled, watching them run up to me. "Grandma!" The twins shouted. They were nearly four now. "Hi mom!" she kissed my cheek. In the distance I heard my grandson and Samantha, "Hey! "How's my boy?" I took him from Samantha and put him on my lap, he was not quite two years old. I am so proud of my girls and the mothers that they have become. Samantha announced, "I have news!

I'm having another baby!" "Oh my gosh!" We all hugged, laughed and celebrated together. Samantha said, "It will be strange that Dad won't be here to see this one born," she rubbed. her belly. I said, "I know baby, but I believe he somehow does know what's going on with all of us. He is probably looking down at us right now, smiling, happy to know he is going to be a grandfather again." A tear came to me and I forced myself not to get emotional. I never once regretted my decision to stay with Pete.

I often wished for more time with him but felt lucky to have shared twenty nine years of marriage together; for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, till death due us part. He was my husband and the man I loved for a lifetime. I stayed behind, waiting for the check. The kids had enough of being still at the restaurant and were about ready for naps. "Carla?" I heard and knew that voice, I turned to see him. "William!" I stood up and smiled. "Hi." He said as we stared into each others eyes for a few moments silently.

"I didn't want to interrupt, were they all your grandchildren?" "Yes!" "You don't look old enough for grandkids, you look...amazing Carla," he said softly with his same old grin. "Congratulations, Senator Fields," I smiled. "Have you been googling me again?" he teased. "T actually voted for you," I said proudly. "I thought you were a Democrat?" he said sarcastically. "I am, but I had to make an exception," I laughed. "Can you talk for awhile?" I asked. fan) e whispered, "The last time you asked me to talk, you broke my heart." "J didn't!" I smiled.

He sat down amongst the mess left behind from the kids. "What have you been doing the past five years?" he smiled. I laughed, I think you've already seen how busy my family has been, three new additions and another grandbaby on the way!" I hesitated, "I lost Pete just over a year ago. He had a heart attack," I said sadly. "Tm sorry Carla," he said sincerely. "Louise is still working for me." "No!" I said shocked. "Yeah, she's turned out to be a great asset." "And Mr. Lewis, did he retire?" "He did, about a month after you left.