page24 (2/2)

“Well then,” Sam starts with a shten others to seek their own path And if you want to walk your path with Tilly Mortensen, then I won’t get in your way, Dad”

I could not be prouder My daughter has grown up right before my eyes Samantha shakes Tilly’s hand and they share a civil s the door to the classroom behind her

I turn to find Tilly weeping tears of joy She falls intothe top of her head I don’t even have to think twice about what I’m about to ask her

“So, what do you say we make our relationship public, sweetheart?”

She looks at entle kiss to my lips

“Yes, Michael I love you too, so let’s go public with our love But first, I have a surprise for you”

I chuckle deep in my throat

“What is it, sweetheart? I doubt anything could surprise me more today”

She blushes and smiles, with a secretive look in her eyes Then she takes ainst her soft belly Immediately, I look up and meet her eyes

“Are you…?” I breathe

She nods

“Yes, Michael You’re going to be a father again I don’t kno this is going to affect our plans, but we’re going to have a baby in about seven months”

With that, iven , and now, I’m happier than I’ve ever been before

Epilogue

Tilly

Two years later

“You know, if soo that this is where my life would be, I would have never believed them,” I say

I take in the scene before me: the street lined with shops and cafes, and fa the sidewalk I inhale deeply, enjoying the s out onto the street froanic s man in a white paper cap