She will never understand to what extent, but I know I will spend every single one of my breaths trying to show her how much she means to me.
Without Cora, none of this matters.
She is my world. My everything.
Best of all…
She’s all mine.
epilogue
MONTHS LATER
Who knew working full time would be so exhausting? Not that it isn’t always rewarding.
It’s only been a week of me officially taking the job that Martha offered me with DHS, but it has been a hell of an adjustment. I went from only going a few times a week and working a few hours to being thrown into the circus and learning to hold the right ropes.
There is way more to child welfare than I ever anticipated.
I still have training to go through until I can become a caseworker, but Martha assured me that I would still be handling mediations several times a week as well. She had spoken so highly of me that the head of the department came to my interview to meet me.
Let’s just say that he was impressed with my compassion for the children.
As I park my car, I spot Peyton heading to hers in the spot next to me. I smile and wave, but she comes over to me instead.
“What’s up?” I ask her.
She smiles. “You have a surprise waiting for you upstairs. I also wanted to let you know I won’t be home tonight. So don’t wait up.”
When she winks at me, I roll my eyes and smile.
“Love you, PeyPey,” I call out to her back as she rounds her car to get in.
“You too, CoCo.”
Grabbing my bag from the back seat, I make my way up to the apartment.
I know Kellan is here. His truck was parked in one of the visitors’ parking spots. The apartment complex only provides two parking spots per apartment, and since Grace doesn’t own a car, Peyton and I claimed them.
When I get to the apartment door, I open it, smiling when I see what is in store for me.
Kellan is standing there in a button-down and slacks. In his hand is a bouquet of marigolds in yellows, oranges, and reds. They are so beautiful.
“I love them,” I tell him.
He smiles. “I love you. Come in, I made dinner.”
Kellan isn’t much of a cook, so I’m surprised when I see a whole meal laid out on the table.
“What is all of this?”
He looks sheepish. “Grace helped.”
“Where is she anyway?”
“Out with Clay. Said she wouldn’t be back, so we have the place to ourselves.”
My heart is in my throat. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I wonder if he is planning to propose. This seems like something you would do to propose.
