I'm A Twenty-Two Year Old Widow And I'm All Alone...

Love Is... Anything You Make It (The Final Chapter)

"So, did you get the castle?" Melanie asked.

"Yeah," I smiled. "Thought the other kids would enjoy it more than Larissa, but that's totally fine."

"Oh, the boys love jumping castles," Melanie smiled thoughtfully.

"Mel, the boys love jumping," Chris corrected. "The castle just makes it easier."

"Isn't that how Kieran broke his ankle?" I asked. "Jumping on his bed and falling off?"

"Yep, that's how he did it," Melanie frowned, obviously annoyed that he did it.

"Daddy, can we play on the jumping castle?" Kyle asked with his wide grin.

"It's not even set up yet, buddy," Chris sighed.

"So?" Keiran said, arms crossed.

"You broke your ankle being silly, remember?" Chris reminded him. "And that was only a few months ago. Take it easy."

"Dad!" Keiran groaned.

"Ana's in the living room with Larissa," I told the boys. "Why don't you go play with them? Aunty Chelsea will be here with Nate soon, too. And by then the castle might be set up."

"But girls are boring!" Kyle snorted.

"No, they have cooties!" Keiran laughed. "But come on, Kyle. Aunty Carrie's gonna put up the castle, and then we can take it away from the girls!"

Both boys squealed before running out of the room. I let out a small giggle.

"They grow up way too fast..." Melanie sighed.

"They're five now, hey?" I questioned.

"Oh, they're five alright..." Chris laughed. "They go to school and terrorise everybody there. Twins are wild..."

"Hey!" I scoffed. "I'm a twin!"

"Yes, but you're also a girl," he chuckled. "Plus, you were the quiet, innocent one. Chelsea... now she was wild. She could have easily taken Keiran and Kyle on."

"And I couldn't have?" I asked skeptically.

"Nope, you couldn't have," he smirked. "But you're hardcore in your own way. Just not wild."

"Thanks?" I said questionably.

"Love you, little sis," he hugged me, giggling.

I left the kitchen then and went and grabbed my little girl. She walked alongside me, holding my hand happily. Larissa was such a beautiful little girl, with her blonde curls and perfect smile. She looked like me, but she also looked like her late father, Lucas Masterson.

>>>>

We had finally set up for Larissa's first birthday. The cake was in the refrigerator, my parents, siblings and Lucas' parents and sister were here. Ryan's mother also came along, because she insisted. But it made it easier on me when she took over in the kitchen. Plus, she was nice. And she liked me, so I guess that was a bonus.

All the food was placed out, and the kids were going wild on the jumping castle, and Larissa was in my arms, pulling at my hair. Chelsea stood arguing with my mom... not sure what that was over, but with Chelsea it could be anything.

"Hey, can you put Rissa down for a minute, please?" Ryan whispered in my ear.

"Uh... sure," I said, putting her down. Larissa stood at my feet for a few seconds, then turned to walk off after Anastasia, who had just walked past.

"Can I have everyone's attention, please?" Ryan called out over the small crowd. Everybody froze.

"What are you doing?" I asked, frowning.

"You'll see," he smiled brightly at me. "Okay... so Carrie and I have been together for about eighteen months. And in the time I've known her, I've fallen in love with her. I've helped her raise her daughter Larissa, who we're all here for today. A year ago, a beautiful little girl was born into this world. And I was there to see it.

"We're already a family," Ryan continued. "You, Ana, Larissa and I. So this is just another step..."

Ryan got down on one knee, and everyone gasped.

"Oh, my God," I breathed.

"Carrie, you've changed my life in ways I could never imagine," he smiled. "Will you marry me, and make our family official?"

I only had one answer to Ryan's question...

"Yes!" I squealed. "Yes! Of course I'll be your wife!"

Ryan stood up and I leapt into his arms. Our lips met, and I felt overwhelmingly happy. The smile that was etched onto my face was permanent. Tears of joy welled in my eyes, and I couldn't help but feel extremely lucky.

"I love you," I grinned. "You're amazing!"

"I love you even more," he smiled. "You're amazing. You changed me so much."

"Right back at you," I beamed.

>>>>>

My life just kept getting happier.

Two years after we became engaged, Ryan and I finally got married. We had planned to marry earlier, but something came up and we postponed our nuptials in order to raise our new child.

Together Ryan and I conceived a girl, our daughter Danielle.

As we watched the three girls grow together, I realised just how much my life had changed in a short amount of time. But the reality was that I couldn't imagine my life any other way.

Lucas was always on my mind... he always would be... but I had moved on, and my life had benefited from it.

I loved who I was, I loved my kids, and I loved my husband.

And I was happy.

The End