Love Me One More Time by Laura Burton
Epilogue
“We are pleased to introduce today’s keynote speaker...”
My heart is beating too fast and my stomach is in knots as I wait backstage for my cue.
Jay is standing by my side. He now attends all of my appearances, just in case I decide to do anything crazy again.
The theatre is full of fresh college graduates. I honestly never thought I’d be in this position again.
But after the initial whiplash, it turned out most of the public found my speech relatable and refreshing. The wellness industry used me as an example of the fact that nobody is perfect, and when the news got out that I’d secretly married Carter Black––the same Carter I mentioned in my speech, Jay spun the story of my outburst into a passionate declaration of love. It worked.
The crowd applauds, and that’s my cue. But instead of my usual confident stride, I shuffle on like a waddling duck and chuckle at the exclamations and gasps from the crowd.
“Thank you for the wonderful welcome,” I begin, smiling at the sea of faces in front of me. “My name is Zoe Black, and I’m a wellness and fitness coach.” I perch on the edge of a stool and pick up the bottle of water waiting for me on stage.
Wow, my mouth is dry.
“I’m sure you’re all surprised to see me here today,” I say. I glance at Jay watching from the side; there’s a vein pulsing in his forehead. I turn back to the crowd. “But when I make a commitment, I follow through. Kind of like the time I faced a shark and just knew I was going to have to make a choice; I could either sit and wait for my death or take my life into my own hands and fight.”
A wave of laughter rolls through the crowd. Everyone heard about the shark attack. In fact, Carter thinks the story intimidated his mom; she figured she was better off staying on my good side.
And that explains the strange, half-apology she gave me after our wedding. The thought that my mother-in-law is scared of me makes me chuckle.
The shark story was a major hit with the tabloids. Now, instead of a sad single, thirty-year-old millionaire who had a breakdown, I’m the butt-whooping, shark-punching wife to a billionaire. I’m more successful now than I ever was.
I glimpse movement; Carter’s ashen face is now looking out at me beside Jay.
I roll my eyes at the worry on their faces; they’re acting like I’m a ticking time bomb.
They can relax. I’m not going off script today. And never again.
I tell the kids to relax. Life is about making mistakes, exploring our potential and pushing through boundaries. Never settle for less. Never let anyone else stop you from finding your happiness.
“And remember; you have to take the bad times with the good times. But if you push aside your fear and go for what you truly want, the rewards will blow you away.”
I rub my oversized bump tenderly as something rolls and pokes out at the tender flesh of my belly. I’m not sure what. A foot? An elbow? It disappears into my bump before I can decide.
“You think that graduation is the end, but it’s really just the beginning,” I say, rubbing my bump. “You’re going to have to face some sharks in your life. You’re going to make choices that will bring you frustration and regret. But just remember this is your life. Your growth. No one can live it for you. Go out there into the world and live your life the way that brings you joy––”
Jay coughs in the middle of my speech and a bunch of people gasp. I frown, looking around at everyone. I haven’t even gotten to the really good bit yet. I feel something trickle down to the stage. When I look down, there’s a pool of fluid at my feet. “Oh. I think my water just broke,” I say blankly.
Carter dashes onto the stage and the crowd bursts into excited chatter. Cameras start to flash. Carter and Jay help me up from the stool. When I shuffle forward, more liquid leaks out. As I wobble off the stage, I give my last remarks; “I’m so sorry, you guys, I have to go and have a baby. But the bottom line is good luck, and have fun!”
The theatre explodes into cheers and applause and I glimpse the phones aimed at me.
Great, another viral YouTube video. Carter and Jay told me booking a speech when I’m forty-one weeks pregnant wasn’t a good idea, but I was too stubborn to listen.
I begin to tremble all over as Jay and Carter help me out to the car park. “I’m so sorry,” I blurt. “I did it again, didn't I?”
Carter’s face is red and sweat is clinging to his temples as he strains to help me into the car. Jay takes the driver’s seat while Carter sits in the back with me. “I feel so bad about the speech, maybe I can write the college a letter to send out to everyone?” I ask him, but Carter cradles my hands in his and kisses me on the cheek. “ZoBo, all you need to focus on is having our baby girl. She’s coming.”
“I don’t even think we’re ready yet. I haven’t got everything figured out. The nursery still smells like paint, and I haven’t read those parenting books your mom bought me. Oh, also, I don’t know how to sew. She’ll get laughed at on school dress up day.”
Carter stops my tirade with a kiss. “You don’t need to have everything figured out, darling. This baby has two loving parents and a big, crazy family who will adore her. I think she’ll be all right.”
I swallow, and look into Carter’s eyes. He looks back at me, and there’s a silent promise in his eyes. He won’t leave me. We won’t let anything get in the way of us. And our baby girl will never know what it’s like to be without a father. Not on his watch.
Carter is right. We don’t need to know it all. There’s going to be plenty of times I’ll mess up. And in spite of affirmations, there will be bad days, but that’s okay; that’s life. And this crazy, wonderful, and weird life is perfect. Because we’ll get through it all together.
THE END
Thank you so much for reading, if you loved Zoe’s story, it would mean a lot if you could leave a review! And keep reading for a preview of Flirting with my Enemy.