“Whyyyyy?” Raven whines when the twins start singing their favorite song from Encanto. “Why would you say the B-word?”

“Don’t worry about the alternative.” Rhett throws a hand over my shoulders. “There’s no need to waste any more energy on that.”

“That’s right,” my wife says, throwing her arms around my neck. “Love wins.”

I grip her face in both hands, running my thumbs over her cheekbones and echo her words from the day before. “It has to.”

“Today, tomorrow, and for always.”

Epilogue

5 Weeks Later

“Hey guys!” Dr. Ruby greets us bright and early on a Saturday morning for my six-week postnatal appointment. “My goodness,” she says peeking at Judd in the infant seat slung over Lyle’s arm. “He’s gotten so big already.” She smooths a hand over his head, careful not to wake him. “Looks just like his momma.”

Her observation has me beaming.

After a few minutes of small talk with my husband, she directs him and our son to a waiting room before asking me to follow her to her office.

Dr. Ruby starts by asking a series of questions pertaining to my mental health, which so far has been fine. Thank goodness.

“And you’re still breastfeeding?”

“I am.” I smile, proudly.

“How’s that going?”

“He likes to eat.” I laugh. “No issues there.”

“No problems with breast infections?”

I shake my head. “Not since the one I saw you for a few weeks ago.”

“That’s great,” she says. “And have you had your period yet since delivering?”

I shake my head.

“But you have stopped bleeding?”

“Yep.” I sigh with relief, so glad that part’s over with. “Stopped right at about three weeks after he was born.”

“Good deal.” She jots something down in her file. “And what are your plans as far as birth control goes?”

“Uh…” I shrug. “I think we’re just gonna go with the pull-out method for now.”

“It’s your choice, of course,” she says, “but it’s highly recommended you wait at least eighteen months before getting pregnant again to avoid an increased risk of complications.”

I nod. “Okay.”

She gives me a side eye. “The pull-out method is not very effective,” she adds, tapping her pen on the desktop.

“I guess I could try a low dose birth control.”

Dr. Ruby sighs with relief. “I think that’s wise. You really do need to give your body ample time to recover. It’s just been through quite an ordeal.”

“Makes sense.”

“Okay, let’s go get your physical exam done, and if everything checks out, you’ll be given the all clear.”

“Uhhh…” I hedge, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans. I knew this topic would eventually come up. “All clear…for?” I ask, playing dumb.

“Sex.” Her answer is so matter of fact.

“About that,” I say, chewing my lower lip. “We might’ve already done it…”