Epilogue

Four years later

The grass tickled Jenna’s legs as she sat on the hillside, looking out over the mountains of upstate New York. She held the baby close, nuzzling him, his full, black, curly hair tickling her chin. She bounced him in her lap but he wouldn’t stop crying.

Trevor joined them. “Want me to try?”

“Be my guest.” She handed the baby to Trevor. His arms flexed as he took the baby. Wow. As good as he always looked, he looked even better holding a baby. Jenna shook her head. “Loretta said he had her up most of the night. Teething.”

Trevor held the baby from him, bouncing him as he spoke. “Hey, little man. Hey, Luis Jr.”

The baby shrieked louder, and Trevor frowned.

Jenna giggled. “I think he wants Loretta or his dad. Is Luis in rehearsal?”

“Yeah.” Trevor moved the baby into a different position but he continued to cry. “I don’t want to disturb Luis. He opens in a week. And poor Loretta’s getting a much needed nap.”

“We’ll handle it, then.”

Luis Jr. calmed a bit as Trevor drew the baby to his chest. Jenna smiled, understanding the baby’s reaction. She leaned back, tilting her head and looked lovingly at Trevor. “Ever look at us and wonder how we got here?”

“I know how we got here.” Trevor held the baby up and made a funny face at him. “I chased you until you gave in.”

“Ha.” Jenna clicked her tongue and looked away. “But just a few years ago everything was so different. And now we’ve been married for three years and you left Caspian and produce full time. We run a thriving summer theatre in upstate New York. Olivia’s away at a good school and my mom is happier, and thank God, Amanda and Toby are okay—I mean, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted. And more.”

Trevor looked at her. “How many times do I have to tell you, Jen? If you just give me a chance, I will make your every dream come true.” He took her hand and kissed it.

“Well there’s one more wish I’ve been thinking about.”

“A new role?” Trevor raised his eyebrows.

“Yup.” Jenna bit her lip, playfully.

Trevor bounced the baby. “Well, Luis has the house sold out for the rest of the summer. I’m thinking we should extend him main stage. Oh, and has Kat given you dates yet on the sci-fi sequel? Who knew my little theatre geek would become a bona fide movie star?”

“I’d hardly call me a star.”

“I would. So do you have dates?”

“Kind of…we’re not going into production until next year.”

“Really?” Trevor pulled his attention away from Luis Jr. and looked at Jenna.

“She has an indie for me. I want you to read the script of course, but we’d start filming in LA immediately and Kat said I’ll be done in two months.”

“Nice. We’ll leave for LA next week? Once Luis is set?” The baby fussed, and Trevor rocked him again.

“That’s fine.” Jenna gazed out over the mountains. “Although I hate leaving here. There is something just magical about this place.”

“Yes.” Trevor gazed at her.

“So I was thinking…” Jenna drew her legs up under her, running her hands along the grass.

“The role?” Trevor lifted the baby, making him laugh. “That’s you, Jen, trying to schedule a show before you take off to film another movie. So what are you thinking?”

“I was thinking, maybe…Stella?”

“Really?” Trevor turned to her, wrinkling his brow. “Streetcar?”

“Feel like playing Stanley? You’d be spectacular.”

She took the baby back and rocked him. Trevor smiled at her and Jenna’s heart melted.

“You think you’re ready for Stella?”

Trevor ran his hand up through his hair and Jenna recognized that look of serious concentration.

“I think I’d better be.”

“Okay, but we’ll need—”

Jenna took Trevor’s hand to quiet him. “I’m ready now.”

Trevor looked at her sideways. He shifted on the grass, balancing his arms on his knees, and sucked in a huge breath of the fresh upstate air. “I’m not sure I understand, Jen. I get the distinct feeling you’re not just talking about a show.”

She nodded. “I think Streetcar would be a good choice because Stella and I have something in common.” She looked directly into Trevor’s eyes. “I skipped this month, Trevor.”

“Skipped what?”

Luis Jr.’s hand captured Trevor’s finger. Trevor shook it and the baby giggled.

Jenna waited for Trevor to look at her again. When he did, she raised her eyebrows.

He repeated his question. “Skipped what, babe?”

She smiled again.

Carefully shaking free of the baby, Trevor quickly stood up. Jenna clutched Luis Jr. and stood too.

“What?” Trevor’s eyes grew wide, and he leaned over, running his hands through her hair until they came to rest, cupping her chin. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never skipped before, so I took a test this morning and well…”

“You’re pregnant?” Trevor tilted his head.

“Seems so.”

“Oh, Jen.”

Trevor embraced her with Luis Jr. squeezed between them, and Luis Jr. giggled in response. Trevor pulled back, making sure he hadn’t squished the baby. Jenna moved Luis Jr. to her hip, and Trevor reached out to touch her belly. “Jen, I just can’t believe…”

“Believe, Trevor. You’re going to be a daddy.”

Trevor smiled at Jenna so completely, it warmed her core. He wrapped his arm around her from behind, his hand resting on her tummy, holding them both protectively. Luis Jr. grabbed a piece of Jenna’s hair and chewed it while they looked out over the mountains.

“You hungry?” Trevor laughed.

“No.” Jenna leaned into him. “Just happy. For all these years Trevor, you’ve wanted to make my every wish come true, and you have.”

“And you’ve made mine come true as well, Jen. Marrying me and now this…this is more than I ever could have asked for. I can’t believe you’re having my baby.”

She turned and stood on her tip-toes as he leaned down and kissed her.

Smiling, Trevor broke away and placed his hand back onto her abdomen for a few moments longer. Then he whispered into Jenna’s ear. “Joy.”

“What’s ‘Joy’?”

“The baby’s name. What do you think?”

“I love it…unless it’s a boy.”

“It’s not. She’s going to be a little spitfire like her mom.”

“Mom. I like that word.” Jenna looked up at Trevor. “Why Joy?”

“Well, she’ll be my joy. Like her mom.” Trevor smiled.

Jenna beamed at him.

“And also to honor your dad—it’ll almost carry on your family name, Joyce, since you changed your name to Hughes.”

Tears welled in Jenna’s eyes. Careful of Luis Jr., she threw her free arm around Trevor’s neck. He pulled her close. “You can’t hurt the baby, you know. She’s well protected in there.”

“I know that.” Trevor held her at arms’ length. “I know she has the best mom in the world, a mom who was worried about her long before she ever came to be.”

Jenna smiled at him as he stroked her face.

His brow knitted. “But it’s my job to take care of you both. And I will.”

“Oh, I know.”

Jenna laughed as her handsome, successful, wonderful, protective husband wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. He kissed her so completely, there was no doubt, their life was absolutely meant to be.