Epilogue

Epilogue

Not every family stuck with each other forever. But forever is like asking for never. They’d all had their ups and downs. The brothers quarreled, not once, not twice, and definitely not thrice. Yet, at the end of the day, they always came back together, standing strong as one family.

As Eve lounged on a recliner, staring at the vast ocean ahead, her mind couldn’t help but wander to a few years back.

Ethan left the company for Wade, but only to manage the one in the other city, as that city was much closer to the island.

Well, they frequented here, and often, the whole family gathered here for vacation.

“Mummy, I want more.” A tiny voice came from her lap and Eve looked down at the baby. She’d almost been convinced that he was sleeping.

Her fingers ran through his hair and she removed the straw from her mouth and let him sip the coconut juice. “This is your last sip, Evan. You can’t have too much coconut.”

“Uhuh.” The boy nodded and took a sip, but he didn’t let go of the straw and Eve had to remove it.

“You aren’t gonna stop, huh?” She chortled as the boy batted his eyes and reached for the coconut. “Who teaches you this trick, Evan.”

“Evan’s sick, Mummy,” the boy mumbled and rested her head on his lap. “I want to stay with Mummy.”

And later on, he’d lift his head and make her give him the coconut juice. Eve shook her head and sighed helplessly.

“Evan, why don’t you join Aunt Emily? See, she’s having fun with Lily.” Emily was sitting on the beach and making beautiful shapes with seashells on the sand.

“Evan wants to stay with Mummy,” the boy mumbled and closed his eyes.

Eve’s eyes went to Eric. He sat on a lounging chair not far ahead, lips pursed and eyes narrowed, deeply engrossed in playing with the tablet in his hand.

Unlike Evan, Eric wasn’t at all whiny. He’d mostly prefer to hang out with his devices. He was only troublesome whenever his temper acted up, which rarely happened.

“You’re having a vacation, Sister-in-law, and you didn’t care to invite this Young Master?” Matt’s voice came from her side.

Today, he was wearing large sunglasses with golden chains. And he had a slender lady by his side.

“Meet my girlfriend, Sister-in-law. I told you you’d like her.”

Eve waved hi to the girl, forcing a smile. He didn’t tell her anything about his new girlfriend.

“Babe, can you join that lady by the sea and introduce yourself? She’d be glad to meet you.”

“Sure, Young Master.” The girl smiled sweetly then sauntered away, swaying her hips.

“Matt, you. Tell me how many girlfriends you’ve dated this month.” Eve glared at him.

“Come on, Sister-in-law. This Young Master is just living the life.” Matt chuckled as the little boy sprang from Eve’s lap and leaped on him.

“Wow, Uncle Matt, what is this?” Evan played with the funny-looking chains.

“This is gold, Little Boy. If you like it, this Young Master will get you one on your birthday.”

“Evan likes fancy things, Uncle Matt… Can you also gift me this glasses?”

“It would be an honor for this Young Master.” Matt removed the glasses and hung it on the boy’s face. “How about we go and check out the sharks?”

“Yay! Uncle Matt, you promised to teach Evan to swim.”

“We’ll dive into the ocean and look for some treasures. Are you ready!?”

“Yay!”

“Ah! Matt, bring back my son!” Eve yelled after them as the two raced toward the ocean.

She patted her chest and only sighed in relief when Ethan who was standing with Wade not far from the ocean snarled at the crazy guy.

“We shouldn’t have let him join the entertainment industry, Ethan,” Eve grumbled as Ethan returned later with Little Mimi on his shoulder. “He changes girlfriends every week. What if he never wants to take a wife?”

“He changed girlfriend again?” Ethan sat on the chair beside her and she took the sleeping girl from him.

“Of course. That wasn’t the girl he attended my sisters’ wedding with.”

Ethan lounged on his chair and picked up a coconut. “It’s too late. As long as he doesn’t cause any trouble.”

“But changing girlfriends is causing trouble. What if he meets an unforgiving girl that decides to chase after his life?”

“He’d have it coming.” Ethan shrugged.

“Urgh.” Eve groaned and brought her attention to the baby who had suddenly woke up. “Hi, Mimi. It’s Mummy. Did you have a nice time hanging out with Daddy?”

The girl giggled as Eve kissed her cheeks. “Mummy, Dad got me a seashell. Show it, Daddy,” she said eagerly.

Ethan brought the shell out of his pocket and gave it to Eve.

“Wow, that’s so nice. How about we hang it in your room later?” Eve asked and the girl bobbed her head.

“Where’s Eric?” Ethan frowned and looked around.

“He’s beside you.” Eve nodded toward the boy who was now sitting on the sand with his back against the recliner.

“What are you doing?” Ethan craned his neck to look at the tablet.

“Playing.” The boy didn’t look away from the screen.

“Let me have a look—”

“Don’t touch it!” Before Ethan’s hand could reach the device, the boy slapped his hand off then stood up and walked away.

“What’s with that temper?”

“I think we’re pestering him, Ethan.” Eve chuckled as her eyes followed the boy’s back.

The End