Waiting For You Alternative Epilogue
Before we (I say we because Waiting was definitely a collective effort!) landed on the final story, there were so many iterations for Charlotte and Mason’s ending. There was a version of the story where Calvin was a different kind of father altogether, a version where Charlotte wasn’t so emotionally unavailable, and a version where the happily ever after ended with a pregnancy.
In that version, the epilogue revolved around the first birthday celebration for baby Alexander Urie Hale. I’d like to believe that even with the story ending as it stands today, there’s still a future where Mason and Charlotte has this kind of happily ever after, too.
Epilogue: Charlotte
“Baby?” I call. “Can you grab Alex’s diaper bag from the car while I feed him? Jess and Mia will be here soon!”
“Of course. Just one second, spider,” Mason responds from the other room.
I walk into the decorated living room, blue and white balloons hanging from every corner. Mason kneels in front of the couch, changing Alex into a light blue shirt with a wave across the front of it and a big number one. He picks up our giggling boy, kissing his cheek.
“Look at our little man! So stylish,” he says, showing him off to me.
“Just like daddy,” I respond with a smile. Mason’s cheeky grin spreads wide. After deciding on a beach theme for Alex’s first birthday, Mason got us both matching outfits to coordinate with our birthday boy. Down to his white slip-on shoes, and gray shorts, Mason stands matched perfectly with our baby boy wiggling in his arms.
“He’s my little guy. You love matching with Daddy, don’t you, Urie?” Alex erupts into another fit of giggles, throwing his tiny arms around Mason’s neck. I can’t contain the smile that tugs at my lips, seeing both of my boys so ridiculously happy.
“Okay, lunch time for Alex. I’ll give him his bottle if you grab the bag?” Mason nods, handing him off to me with a kiss on my forehead.
“You look incredible, by the way. This dress was a great choice, but I’m really excited to see what’s underneath.”
I fold my hand over Alex’s tiny ears, giving him a shocked look. “Mason Samson Hale! Your child is listening!” He smirks at me, giving me a once over that lights me up from the inside.
He shrugs with a grin, responding, “Urie wants a sister.”
I laugh, throwing my head back at the suggestion. “Oh really? Did he tell you that? Mason winks, tickling Alex in my arms.
“He agreed with me. We both love seeing Mommy glow.”
My heart squeezes watching him turn towards the garage to the car.
Since the second he found out I was pregnant, Mason was so attentive. Constantly checking in on me and making sure that I was okay, that attention only increased the closer we got to our due date. Especially when it came to the changes with my body, Mason made it feel so easy to love myself because of how much love and adoration he held for the body that was growing our son.
Though I think it would be fun to try for a sibling, every second we have with Alex feels like a gift I never expected. He coos in my arms, babbling while I grab his bottle. “What do you think, little guy? Do you want a sister?”
I’m interrupted by the sound of Mason greeting the girls, followed by the sound of their steps in the hallway.
“Auntie Mia’s here,” she announces. Mia runs inside, heading straight towards us when she hears Alex babbling for her. He reaches his little hands towards her, and she melts, taking him from my hands.
“Hello to you, too,” I tease.
Mia laughs, kissing my cheek.
“Sorry, I had to hold my little surfer dude here.” She rocks him, kissing his chubby cheeks as Mason and Jess walk in carrying some pastries. Alex squeals at his other auntie, making her come pick him up from Mia’s arms.
“Hi, my sweet boy!” She coos at him, bringing out another wave of giggles.
Mason puts the pastries on the kitchen island, showing me the decorative cupcakes and pastries Mia baked.
“Mia, these are gorgeous! Thank you,” he says, sneakily handing me a cupcake. I smile at him, taking a bite.
“Oh my god. So good!”
“I’m glad you like them! I texted Anne I was bringing pastries, but I think she’s bringing some things over too.”
“Oh yeah, when is she getting here?” I ask, turning to Mason, who’s checking his phone. From my position I can see his tiny spider tattoo peaking out from under his wedding ring.
“Uh, it looks like she’s on her way. With Calvin.” His jaw holds some tension but it disappears when I squeeze his bicep.
“That’s good. He can celebrate Alex’s first year.” His smile still holds some sadness. Since Calvin apologized over a year ago, his relationship with the two of us has been rocky. Still, the effort he’s put into being around for Alex has been good for everyone. Though Mason still won’t leave them alone in a room, there’s growth there.
“Yeah, you’re right.” He kisses my head watching Mia and Jess play with Alex on the floor in the living room. “By the way, where’s Vero?”
“Oh, she texted that she got held up with Caleb. They’re on their way now.”
“Caleb’s coming?” The smile in his voice speaks measures. This is the one guy we all collectively want her to keep around.
“Yeah. I know. She swears it’s nothing, but if he’s showing up to Urie’s first birthday, he must be important to her,” I say. “Who knows, maybe you’ll have a new bro to hang with,” I add with a laugh.
From there, the rest of our gathering goes smoothly. My in-laws arrive toting bags and boxes full of toys and things for Urie, making good on their promise to spoil him rotten. Veronica arrives with Caleb, carrying a stack of books wrapped in a satin blue bow.
“From the both of us.” Veronica’s blush quickly spreads to her ears, but we both overlook that when we hug her hello. Caleb says hello with familiarity and ease, like he already fits in with us. It helps that Mason knows him from all his recent tattoos.
“Thank you both! I’m sure Dr. Hale here will make use of these at bedtime,” I say, shameless about how proud I am of Mason’s new degree.
Mia yells from the carpet, “That’s right! When’s graduation?” Since Mason took some time off school to be able to work and stay home with me more often during the pregnancy, he postponed his final dissertation submission until this school year.
Mason’s coy smile peaks through, uncomfortable with the attention. “It’s in June. You’re of course all invited, though it may not be that fun of an event. You don’t need to be there. Maybe we can do dinner after?”
“What are you talking about? Of course we’re going.” Mia indignantly responds, and it strikes me just how close the two of them have gotten in the past year. Their friendship has been so great to watch flourish, especially since she’s taken on our primary Auntie role. While I recovered those first few weeks, Mia basically lived here so that Mason could be by my side.
“Thanks, Mia. But either way, let’s not call me Dr. Hale.” He laughs, kissing my head. “Besides, it’ll be awfully difficult to discern who you’re talking about once Lottie here finishes her program, too.” He beams down at me, pride in his eyes.
“That’s right!” Anne interrupts, holding up her wine glass. “And good timing too, somebody needs to keep you on your toes.”
Alex giggles at that point and babbles mama, reminding everybody that he’d like some attention too. “Urie makes sure of that,” Mason says, making us all laugh.
“Alexander Urie Hale!” Anne coos over to him, picking him up. “What a big boy you are!”
“Urie? That’s an interesting name, I like it.” Caleb speaks up to be heard over Alex’s loud babbling.
Mason smiles at our baby boy, clinging to his grandma. “It means ‘my light’. Charlotte is my sunshine, and she gave me Urie.” He pulls me into his side, rubbing my shoulders to a collection of cheesy ‘aws’.
Jess and Mia lead everybody outside to have lunch out on our patio, but Mason pulls me back to him, tucking my loose waves behind my ears. “Speaking of all the things you’ve given me,” his soft lips touch mine sweetly, “I wanted to say thank you.”
“Mmm, what are you thanking me for?” I lean into him, wrapping my arms around his middle. “Great head last night? You know, you’re more than welcome to reciprocate it now…”
Mason chuckles, the husky sound sending a wave of heat through me.
“As lovely as that sounds, wife, I think we might need to wait until later.” He kisses my scrunched nose, laughing. “Seriously, I want to thank you for this past year. You’ve literally given me the best possible gift I could have ever wanted, and I didn’t even know it was possible to have it this good. Thank you for being the best possible mom to Urie.”
“Sweetheart, that’s literally my job. But thank you, too. I know those first weeks after Urie was born were hard.” Images of Mason bribing me to eat during my postpartum depression come to mind. “I’m so grateful for you. I don’t know where we would be without you.”
“Off in a house with three aunties, I’m sure.” He kisses my cheek again, pulling out a small box. “It’s nothing huge, but I wanted to celebrate us keeping Urie alive for a year.” He opens the box, revealing a thin silver bracelet with a small blue charm on it. He puts it on my left wrist, closing the clasp. “It’s engraved with Urie’s birthday.”
I lift the bracelet, admiring the delicate topaz charm. “Sweetheart, this is beautiful!” The pools of tears threaten to spill as he kisses me. “Thank you. But I feel bad, I didn’t think to get you anything.”
He gives me a coy smile. “I actually thought of that too. It’s upstairs on the bed. You can wear it tonight. It matches your bracelet.” He winks at my shocked expression.
“Do you want to tell me what it is?”
He chuckles, leaning down to my ear. “I think you already know, sweetheart. Urie needs a sister.” He smacks my butt on his way out, throwing a smirk at me over his shoulder.
I take a moment to compose myself, knowing well and sure that even with a child with this man, the thought of what we’ll be doing tonight will still have me blushing. Could this truly be our life— a whirlwind that ends in us together in bed every night?
I wait by the doorway to the patio, taking in the moment from the outside. Mia, and Jess, lovingly doting over Alex; Anne holding him in her arms while Calvin feeds him tiny cereal puffs; Veronica and Caleb deep in conversation with Mason, who holds Urie’s bottle. He looks up at me and smiles, holding his hand out for me to join him. Like second nature, I tuck into his side, feeling his protective arm go around me. It’s so clear.
Everything I need is right here in this moment.
