Best Friends

Epilogue Part II

A/N: I have officially entered the #Wattys2016 for all of my books. This is my first time doing any of these awards so wish me luck if you liked my books. Thanks! Here's a little update because I wanted more on this book.

                 |||| Scylla's POV ||||

Damn, college was hard.

I certainly did not expect that, which was probably really stupid of me. I did make a few ridiculous choices within those four years.

Becoming a vegetarian for three months was at the top of that list. I couldn't help it when I looked at the adorable pigs, chickens, and cows. Why would they be murdered just for food? Except I couldn't stay away, the fried smell got to me.

Pulling five all nighters in a row for four weeks at once made second. The most sleep I got during that whole time was six hours on a Saturday. That was the night before my wedding.

The third mistake I made during college was thinking that I wasn't mature enough to raise a child. Marie is the sweetest and most adorable little girl that I have ever seen. It's stressful raising kids while in college, but I knew I was ready for it. Plus, I thought Lucy's kids could use some playmates.

Speaking of playmates, I have noticed just how well all the many kids have gotten along. It warms my heart to see them playing and helping each other. Rarely do I see any of them fighting. Ever since the last of them (so far) passed the threes, the whining has dropped tremendously.

My precious little Liam is now four with his big sister Marie, who is so protective of him. Edward, who is just a couples years older than my daughter, is so much like Leo, just being a little rascal and always teasing the others. Now, eight year old Eddie, five and a half Marie, four and a half Zayn, and beautiful four year old Liam, along with a pregnant Nicole, Cole's wife.

I don't know if Lucy and Leo will ever tell him who his real birth father is, but I'm not sure he needs to. That will be their choice for longer down the road. Luckily enough, that kid does have similar blood lines to Leo, so it is very close to being his real child. The horrible ordeal that her and his sister went through went through back in high school has made everyone closer. I haven't seen anyone look so strongly towards another human except the way Jack looks at me, always filled with love and compassion.

Sometimes playing house isn't enough for the kids. They want everything. With Leo and I having degrees in criminal justice, we knew the lengths people would go to for money. I'm proud of him for not going to the extremes to find Thomas. In the end, I think we've all got what we deserved.

Except for two people. Two and a half years into their marriage, about six years ago, Braden and Jules divorced. Everyone was choosing sides and it was a mess. The kids stopped having the regular play times because the adults couldn't keep it together.

Little Ana Gene had been the center target. The battle wasn't helpful to anyone, more so her than either of the parents. I tried to show them the advantages and disadvantages to all the arguments that were being said, but they didn't listen. Ana had bright grey eyes and wavy black hair and tan skin. She was so beautiful, even now at six years old, she's aged gracefully.

|Edward's Second Birthday Party|

"She looks more like me. I gave birth to her, didn't I? There's no reason why I shouldn't keep her!" Jules had screamed at Braden, appearing hysterical.

Apparently, just one week before Eddie's second birthday, Braden had gotten the divorce papers and brought them to Jules. He confided in me quite frequently after the birthday party disaster. Lucy was very upset about her son hearing swear words, but Leo wouldn't take him into the other room because he wanted to know what was going on with his sister. Jack ended up being the bigger man and took the little guy into his room and they messed with trains until everything had settled down. Nicole ended up taking the infant Ana outside to protect her ears.

"She's my daughter too, Jules," Braden stated, his eyes burning.

Ever since they had started dating a few years before, Braden had always given her nicknames. Whether it ranges from the simple "babe", "baby", "Julie", or a couple more, I really hadn't heard him use her actual name.

"Did you breastfeed her? Did you carry her for nine and a half months?" Jules demanded.

I don't think either of them had realized the honor of guest or their child had left. Leo looked from one angry new parent to the other before interrupting on the conversation.

"I don't know what the hell is going on with you two, but resolve it. And not in my home, in the middle of my son's birthday party!" His eyes were alight and he glared at both.

"I didn't mean to bring this he-" Braden had said, before his current wife intruded on his words.

"Of course you didn't! You never mean to do anything! Because all you do is hurt. You don't pay attention to her or-" Jules screamed, throwing her hands in the air.

"I pay more attention to Ana Gene than you do! I'm home taking care of her, putting off my career in science, because you think it's necessary to go buy every toy available when she has plenty!" Braden shot back.

"GUYS," I shouted, irritated at all occurring. "None of us want to get in your business. Please do not take this into Lucy and Leo's home where we are celebrating Ed's second birthday," I said.

I felt a small kick in my own growing stomach and let a small gasp, before lifting my eyes back to everyone else. I was halfway along before my own girl was due. Cole looked more upset than Lucy at the disaster, because I know how much he looked forward to spoiling any of the kids.

Jules widened her eyes and her voice was tremendously more quiet. "Where is Gene-girl?"

"Nicky has her in the backyard," Cole offered, flashing me a grateful look.

Lucy sighed and squeezed Leo's hand before shaking her head. She headed to the hallway, not saying a word to anybody, but meeting my eyes for a second. If things got to hectic, I knew the PTSD, along with all the drugs, would take affect, and there was a likely chance of her having a panic attack. Fortunately, that type of incident has only happened twice since.

"Well, I'm going to see my baby!" Jules determined, stalking away.

Braden groaned. "Our baby."

She shot her head behind her, glaring at him, before marching outside, and slamming the door behind her. Cole went to go protect his newly wed wife from the angry mama. Leo sighed before following after Lucy. That left Braden and I. He cast a sad look before meeting my gaze.

"I just want her to understand," he explains. "I love Ana Gene so much, she's my world. I just can't take all of Jules' mood swings, she'll drive me and Ana crazy."

"I really shouldn't get in the middle of this," I objected.

He gave a half-smile and collapsed into a chair. I followed him into the living room and sat sideways on the couch.

"You don't have to. I just really need someone who will listen to me," Braden said, looking extremely tired. He cast a glance outside where Jules was ranting and demanding her child back.

   *******^

I did listen. But that battle was definitely a bloody one and not just from when Ana was born. The ex-couple no longer speaks to each other, unless conversing about schedules.

Jules ended up moving an hour away while Braden stayed in the house, both by consensual choice. They both try to have split custody, driving Ana Gene back and forth from one part of town to another. I know that the kids have trouble with this since they don't see their friend as often, but I have a deep feeling that they will always have a bond between them.

Slowly, things began to work back out between the friends. Less arguing, more listening. I think that's the way it should have been done, but I didn't want to tell anybody what to do.

As I see my children, I know that they will all be alright throughout their lives as long as they have their family and friends by their sides.