Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
I see so much of you in Adelia. She’s got your mile-wide smile, dimples and all. And like you, she has an abundance of energy, always trying to cram as many activities into one day as she can and inevitably passing out in some random place in some strange position. Last night we found her asleep under her bed, flashlight, coloring book, and crayons scattered around her.
Adrian is our old soul. He’s serious and inquisitive and loves all things nature. He’s always bringing in random small bugs and animals he finds outside, much to Fiona’s dismay. Like his old man, he seems to have an affinity for the written word. We’re building him an entire wall of bookshelves for his room next year. If you were here, I have no doubt you’d spend hours reading to him.
As the kids get older, I’ve been telling them more about you. We kiss your picture goodnight at bedtime, and sometimes I try to make up those silly songs you always used to come up with on a dime, the ones that would get stuck in my head for days. I’m not half as good as you in that department, but I try and that’s what counts, right?
Also, Mom, I wanted to tell you that you were right. About everything. Not that you needed to hear that. You were never one of those people. But I took your advice, and I gave Campbell a chance and I’m happier than I’ve ever been. She’s happy too. I make sure of that every single day. You said it wouldn’t happen overnight, but it almost did. I think deep down, we always had feelings for each other—we were just too young (and stubborn) to understand and appreciate them.
Everything I have and everything I am would never have been possible without your patient and loving guidance, and I plan to instill that same wisdom into my kids as they grow older. All three of them. Well, number three isn’t here yet, but she will be soon—we’re due at the end of December. She wasn’t planned, but I can’t bring myself to call her an “accident” or an “oops” because we couldn’t be more excited to add another little Delacorte to our crazy household.
That’s another thing—I never realized how much I’d love being a dad. The first time I held them in my arms, my chest felt so full I thought it was going to explode … Now I know how you felt wanting to ensure my happiness and success in life. I get it. But while it’s tempting to want to give them the world, I know the one thing they need the most from me is to feel loved.
I so badly wish you were here to see them grow, to share in our joy, and to be that wonderful grandmother I always imagined you'd be. But I take solace in the fact that a part of you lives on in them, in the light of their eyes, their laughter, and their zest for this crazy thing called life.
Anyway, I hear Campbell calling for me, so I better wrap this up. I think it’s almost time to eat. Just wanted to check in with you and let you know that I finally understand everything you said in that letter you wrote me.
I love you, Mom.
I miss you.
And I promise to keep making you proud.
Forever in my heart,
Slade
Extended Epilogue
1 Month Later
Slade
Dear Campbell—
You’re currently in a hospital bed, about to give birth to our third child. I wanted to tell you all of this myself, but the doctors just gave you you’re epidural so you can get a little bit of rest, and I don’t want to wake you, so I decided to write you a letter instead.
We should do that again—exchange letters.
Love letters, obviously.
Another tradition to add to the roster …
Anyway, just wanted to know that you’ve got this, and I’ll be right beside you, holding your hand (or if it’s anything like last time, getting the bones of my hand crushed into a million tiny pieces). Not complaining though. You know I’ll always take one for our team.
By the end of tonight, we should be a family of five. It’s crazy to think about. I know it’s going to be an adjustment for us all, but I can’t wait to see Adelia and Adrian as big siblings and I know some of our greatest memories are yet to come.
You’re the definition of strength, grace, and beauty.
Thank you for bringing my children into this world, and when you’re ready, let’s do it again.
I love you forever—
Slade
PS—You’d look really fucking hot in a minivan. Just saying.