Chapter 291

AUTHOR'S NOTE

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So, I am at the point where I have to say goodbye, and I think that is one of the reasons I have held onto Ava and Grayson for so long-because I really hate goodbyes. Even as annoying and unlikable as they were sometimes (or, many many times), it still sucks but then I realized that I could let go without actually letting go. I could just reread the book, and it would be like rewatching Friends or The Big Bang Theory except instead of catching little jokes I missed, I would be spotting all the grammatical errors I swore weren't there before and I know I am 291 chapters late, but my deepest apologies for any sentence that made you question the English language.

And shifting back to why I am typing this. I know I have said this before, but no amount of times would ever be enough to express how grateful I am to everyone who stopped by this book-from those who read just the first few chapters, to those who made it halfway, to those who stuck around long enough to see this through. Saying thank you feels like an understatement, but still, thank you for considering my book worthy of your precious time.

Ava and Grayson's story could have been told, but without you all reading it, it would have just been another book-just words on a page. So again, thank you all so much. I will never stop being so, so grateful.

-Ava's POV-

Epilogue One

One Year Later

"Grayson, remember all the times you've said you love me?"

I groaned, dragging a pillow over my head, hoping it would somehow block out the relentless wails echoing from the nursery. Sleep was a distant dream at this point, and I was clinging to whatever denial I had left.

His voice, rough with exhaustion, came immediately, "I don't recall ever saying that."

I yanked the pillow off my face and shot a glare in his general direction, even though it was too dark to see, "I still have to be up in a few hours to start getting ready for everyone coming over," I whined, "So, come on, go check on ther

"Ava." He sighed heavily, like I was being the most unreasonable person in the world, "I did it last time. It's your turn."

Before I could argue, another high-pitched cry rang out. And then another. And another.

Fantastic. Now all three of them were awake. Again.

I groaned even louder, pressing my palms into my eyes, as if that could somehow reset reality. Maybe if I just stayed perfectly still, Grayson would get up first.

"Let's just go together."

1

With a resigned sigh, I shoved the covers off and rolled out of bed, trudging toward the nursery. But when I glanced back, Grayson was still sprawled across the mattress, unmoving.

I narrowed my eyes, "Grayson Stephen Blackwood."

He groaned dramatically and cracked open one eye, "I knew I was going to regret telling you my middle name."

"Then get up," I grumbled, already rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I reached for the nursery door.

And there they were. My three little bundles of joy-no sarcasm intended. Okay, maybe just a little.

Who knew children could be this exhausting?

Honestly, my parents should probably thank Damien every day for taking one of us off their hands.

Okay, that joke was still not funny.

picked up Aria while I reached for Daniella, who was wailing like

only one not actively crying, just wiggled

debating whether

Daniella having been born premature–we

Extra joy for us,

know what would be fun?" Grayson's

turned to him

"Having another one."

+58)

out before I could stop it and of course, that single moment of joy was

attempt to calm her long enough to swap her out for

grinned, completely unapologetic. "You were the one

my eyes and made the switch, and I honestly don't know how long we stood there, passing babies between us like an Olympic relay team

back to bed and

arms around me. I wiggled halfheartedly, "Go

didn't say anything. He just pulled me closer, pressing a lazy

sigh, I mumbled, "How long

don't know," He murmured against my skin, his breath warm on my neck, "Let's hope it's at

mercifully, sleep pulled me under. And by some miracle, they actually slept through the night.

few hours-much to Grayson's never-ending irritation-we were hosting

My parents, Eliza and Jeremy, Isabella and Rickon, Elaine, Monica-who had finally apologized for being, as Isabella put it, a straight-up bitch-all came over. Monica even brought her new boyfriend, a quiet scientist with glasses, who was apparently the reason for her

with someone like him but he was a genuinely sweet guy, and somehow, he managed to keep up with our brand

especially much to Elaine and Grayson's irritation. But, between us? I was pretty sure Elaine only pretended to be

don't you look absolutely

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Chapter 291

voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I barely had time to put

tray I was carrying before turning to glare at her as she stepped

is still not funny,"

is," Elaine added from the corner, grinning as she casually

drink.

to her, but she

a while, but I had forgiven her. Some things were easier to move past than others. Now, the five of us-me, Isabella, Eliza, Elaine, and Monica- sometimes went out together. It had been weird at first, but

out the word with a teasing

hundredth time, I do not like him. He is a psychopath, and I

interjected, changing the subject before Isabella could push further, "Do you think

he could ever suffer enough, but keeping him locked up felt like I was still holding on, you know? So yes, it was the right decision. Besides, Grayson is keeping a very close watch on him. He won't be starting another uprising

I could say anything else, Isabella

both of us rolling our eyes. "What?" She asked, still smiling, "It's not my fault my mate is funny. Unlike you two-one of you is a mother of three, and the other secretly likes a psychopath.” "I do not like him!" Elaine practically shrieked just as Eliza and Jeremy walked in. "Like who?" Eliza asked,

Isabella and I

"He just pulled up out

widened, "I just remembered-I forgot

with that, she

looks before Isabella smirked at Eliza,

Eliza grinned. "Nope."

you well," Isabella

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