well everyone, here’s the epilogue! thank you to all the AMAZING readers, you made this so fun!! expect more works from me, just not incredibly soon! and also give me some ideas for new stories. I LOVE YOU GUYS! enjoy :D

One year and eight months later…

“Happy Birthday Hawke!” everyone exclaimed as Eric helped our one year old son blow out his candles.

It was August 14th; one year after Hawke Christopher Halvorsen was born. We were all packed into Eric and I’s house in Chandler celebrating his first birthday. My whole family was there; my mom, my grandma, my aunt Jess, and cousin Harliegh. Eric’s whole family was there too, his sister Dana and my sister Tiffany were taping Hawke smash his face into his piece of cake because our grandmas were crying so hard they couldn’t hold the cameras still.

Everyone from The Maine, A Rocket To The Moon, and The Summer Set was there too. Nick stood next to the table with Taylor attached to his waist, they’d started dating about a month after my release party. Andrew and Justin stood in the corner of the kitchen preparing for cake, they hadn’t changed a bit. John Ohh smiled at Hawke as his pregnant girlfriend Amerie Christine slid her arm around his waist and kissed his cheek; they were so cute. Garrett and his girlfriend Rachel were there too, and helped me pass out cake; I liked how down to earth she kept him, they were perfect for each other.

“This cake is amazing,” Jared gushed, his girlfriend Tessa looked up at him and smiled with a mouthful of cake. She was absolutely gorgeous and her and Jared had been dating for a while, they were so cute.

A knock came upon the door and I licked my cake covered thumb and raced for the front door. Pulling the door open a huge smile swept across my face,

“Brian!” I exclaimed.

Brian, Jess, John, Josh, and Stephen stood on the step carrying gifts.

“I hope we’re not too late,” Brian apologized stepping inside.

“It’s alright,” I assured him, “come on we just started doing cake.”

“Score!” Josh and Stephen exclaimed before slapping hands.

We reached the kitchen and I instantly noticed something different,

“Where’s Pat?” I asked the crowd.

“He left a few minutes ago to pick up Jen, Sam, and Chris from the airport,” John explained.

“Jen and Sam are coming!” I exclaimed jumping up and down.

“You idiot,” Garret smacked Johns arm, “that was supposed to be a surprise!”

Sam Capozza; the one who dated Kennedy, and Jen Cote were my best friends from back home. I hadn’t seen them in forever, well since going on tour with A Rocket To The Moon, The Maine, and The Summer Set and finally having a home show. Jen and Sam met me at the venue and I finally got to meet Sam’s cute boyfriend from college, and Jen, well her and Pat hit it off. They’ve been dating for about a year now, I couldn’t be happier for either of them.

“Sorry,” John apologized through his cake filled mouth, “I didn’t know.”

“It’s alright John,” I walked over and patted his arm, “now I’m really excited.”

I walked back over to Eric and Hawke at the end of the table and watched as he played with his cake,

“How’s my big boy doing?” I asked.

“Not so good,” Eric replied, “I still haven’t had any cake!”

Smacking his arm I laughed, “you idiot, I meant our son!”

Eric smiled; “I know!” he kissed my cheek and bent down next to Hawke.

“Can daddy have some cake?” he asked.

Hawke looked over at him and his bright green eyes lit up as he smiled at his father, “gah.” He shoved some mushed up cake in Eric’s mouth,

“Oh yummy,” Eric made a face, “thank you!”

“Good boy Hawke,” I bent down next to the highchair, “daddy loves his cake.”

“Oh, uhm hm,” Eric replied wiping the frosting off his face.

Everyone finished their cake and I pulled Hawke out of his highchair, “is my big boy ready to open some presents?”

Hawke giggled and I carried him to the sink. Eric turned on the water and ran it until it was the right temperature, grabbing a cloth I wiped the frosting off his face and hands.

“Mamma’s getting you clean huh?” I baby talked.

Eric shut off the sink and we proceeded to the living room where everyone sat around a huge table of gifts, I sat in the loveseat and held Hawke on my lap.

“Who’s are we opening first?” I asked.

Before anyone could choose a gift another knock came upon the door,

“That’s weird,” I thought out loud, “if it was Pat he’d just walk in.”

“I’ll get the door,” Eric stood up and padded out of the living room.

I looked down at my beautiful baby boy; I couldn’t believe he was a year old. I found out I was pregnant with him last January, and six months later he was born in August, meaning he’d been conceived in the beginning of November; right before I left for LA. That whole time in the apartment, and recording I was pregnant with my first child and I had no idea. I was pregnant at the release party, and when I kissed Brian; this baby had seen more of my life than I could have ever imagined.

Finding out I was pregnant in January was one of the most exciting and scary things I’d ever gone through, this time I knew it was real. Eric and I were married by then, after our crazy wedding in Vegas before returning to Arizona. The “All These Mistakes I’ve Made” tour was already planned for the spring, with all the guys’ bands, and I didn’t know how I was going to do it 5 months pregnant. But somehow it worked out amazingly; we hit the road in April and toured the country, including Connecticut and New Jersey. It felt good to see my family and old friends again. I was eight months pregnant on my 20th birthday and Eric was terrified I was going deliver early, I assured him I’d be fine and still performed. The crowd sang me happy birthday and all the bands came on stage and sang along with them, it was an amazing feeling. Almost as amazing as when I found out my album went platinum selling over 7,000,000 copies. I didn’t let it all go to my head though; being a mom was my top priority. The tour ended 12 days after my 20th birthday, the same day Kennedy and I had broken up a year earlier; it’s amazing how much a year can changed in life.

Eric walked back into the living room and cleared his throat,

“Who was at the door?” I asked.

Before Eric could answer I saw who had walked through the doorway behind him; Kennedy and Gabi.

Everyone fell silent, we were all most likely thinking the same thing, “why they hell would he bring her?”

Eric joined me on the love seat and shook his hair; this was too awkward. I kissed Hawke on the top of his head and handed him to Eric. Standing up I smiled and walked over to Gabi and Kennedy,

“Thanks for coming guys,” I wrapped my arms around Gabi. She took in a deep breath in shock, as everyone whisper gasped.

“No problem,” she replied looking at the floor.

“Hey,” I placed my hand on her shoulder, “the past is the past right? It’s my sons birthday, and you’re always welcome to celebrate with us.”

“Thank you,” she looked up at me in shock, her wispy hair pulled to the side with a rose clip and dainty china doll features smoothed out as she smiled.

I could spend the rest of my life hating her, but what kind of person would that make me? I was a mother now and I had to set a good example for my son. And Hey, if she hadn’t slept with Kennedy two years ago, Hawke wouldn’t have even been born; okay fucked up justification, but it made sense in my head.

Gabi and Kennedy sat down on the sectional next to Nick and Taylor, and I joined Eric back on the loveseat.

“Now back to gifts,” I sighed in relief, “should we open the God parent’s gifts first?”

Nick and Taylor hopped off the sectional, “hell yes!” Nick grabbed their gift and handed it to me.

Eric helped Hawke open his gift from Nick and Taylor as I snapped some pictures. Soon I heard the door open and feet shuffled inside,

“We’re in the living room,” I shouted to Pat, Sam, Chris, and Jen.

Soon they came around the corner and Sam automatically locked eyes with Kennedy. I had completely forgotten how awkward it must have been for them.

“Hey guys!” I hopped up trying to ignore the tension, “I missed you!”

Jen pulled me into a hug and squeezed me tight, she was one of the best friends I’d ever had, I missed her a lot.

“I missed you too,” she replied over my shoulder.

I walked over to Sam who had a sour look on her face, “why are they here?” she asked through her teeth.

“Sam,” I sighed, “it’s my son’s birthday, and I haven’t seen you in forever. Let’s just be civil for today.”

“I have no reason to be civil with her,” Sam glared at Gabi, “she’s a slut.”

Everyone quietly gasped, and Gabi squirmed uncomfortably. Kennedy stood up and cleared his throat,

“Sam,” he walked over to us, “can we go talk in the kitchen?”

“There’s nothing to talk about Kennedy,” she replied brushing him off.

“Please,” Kennedy begged, “it’ll only be a second.”

“Fine,” Sam rolled her eyes, “you’re coming aren’t you?” she asked me.

“Me?” I replied shocked.

“Yes,” Sam replied grabbing my hand, “this has as much to do with you as it does with me.”

I followed Sam and Kennedy into the kitchen and sat down at the table, I couldn’t believe I was missing my son open his gifts for this.

“Sam,” Kennedy sighed, “whatever happened between us, we have to let it go.”

“Let it go?” she barked, “let go of the fact that that you made me fall in love with you and then decided to wait to tell me that you dated MY BEST FRIEND and cheated on her with THAT SLUT!” she screamed loud enough for Gabi to hear.

“Sam I had no idea you and Britta even knew each other,” he began to explain before Sam cut him off.

“You knew damn well we were friends Kennedy, that’s how I got the internship,” she gritted through her teeth.

“Well I’m sorry I didn’t want to hurt or lose you Sam, I loved you!” Kennedy boomed back.

Why was I here? I was getting fed up,

“Guys!” I screamed, “Whatever this is, can it wait?”

“No it can’t,” Sam replied, “Kennedy needs to know how much of an ass he is!”

“You don’t think I know?” Kennedy cried, “everyday I have to deal with losing you.”

“Kennedy,” I began, “you and I, we’re friends you know that.”

“I know!” Kennedy exclaimed, “you think that’s what I wanted?”

“Well, it’s what you got!” Sam murmured.

“Britta, you and I, we were something great,” Kennedy began, “but it’s my fault we ended and I’ve come to accept that. I mean you’re a mom, you’re married, you’re happy. I’m happy for you.”

I got up and hugged Kennedy, he rested his head on my shoulder, “Kennedy, you will always be my best friend,” I whispered.

“You’re my best friend,” Kennedy kissed my cheek, “now go play with your son, Mommy.”

“I’m not leaving you two alone,” I argued, “there is no way I’m getting blood on this floor.”

Kennedy sighed, “Sam,” he began, “the only reason you and I broke up was because you found out about Britta, I didn’t want us to end.”

“I didn’t want us to end either Kennedy,” Sam sighed, “I was crazy I love with you.”

“So was I,” Kennedy admitted, “I still am.”

“Kennedy,” Sam sighed, “what the hell.”

“You guys are idiots,” I came out of nowhere.

“And why is this?” Kennedy asked.

“The only reason you guys aren’t together is because Kennedy and I dated and broke up what 2 years ago?” I replied.

“That is kinda stupid,” Sam admitted.

“You think?” I rolled my eyes.

“But Gabi,” Kennedy motioned towards the living room.

“And Chris,” Sam mumbled.

“I’m not saying this needs to happen today or tomorrow, but you two need to settle everything and figure everything out,” I suggested, “because I will not stand for being the reason two people in love aren’t together.”

Kennedy and Sam locked eyes, smiled, and shrugged.

“Now,” I stood up, “let’s get back to the party, and be fucking civil.”

We filed out of the kitchen and rejoined the party, Gabi and Sam exchanged some suggestive looks but nothing went down, thankfully, because Sam would have wrecked her shit.

* * *

Eric, Hawke, and I sat in the living room alone after the party was over and everyone, except Justin and Andrew, had escaped home. Hawke picked up a few of his new toys and banged them on the ground,

“Look lovey,” I laughed, “we got ourselves a little drummer.”

Eric smiled and picked up Hawke, “oh no, can you say ‘bass’ we play bass.”

Hawke looked up at his father like he had three heads and continued to bang his toys on the ground,

“Nope babe, he’s definitely a drummer,” I laughed and leaned my head on Eric’s shoulder.

“That damn Andrew,” Eric cursed, “he has brain washed our child.”

Andrew and Nick were “co-God fathers” they called themselves, and spent a lot of time with Hawke, I liked that he had “uncles” since Eric and I both didn’t have brothers.

“Well lovey,” I yawned, “you ready for bed?”

“Yes ma’am,” Eric replied standing up holding Hawke, “I’ll put monster to bed and meet you upstairs.”

“Sounds good,” I kissed Hawke’s nose and Eric’s cheek, “I love you.”

After cleaning up Hawke’s toys and saying goodnight to Justin and Andrew I climbed the stairs and quietly padded into Hawke’s room. Eric stood next to his crib and tucked him in,

“He’s out like a light,” Eric whispered, “today must have tired him out.”

“Today was big day,” I whispered, “Can you believe we made it through a year.”

“Well Mrs. Halvorsen,” Eric kissed my forehead, “this year has been amazing, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“And I don’t knew where I’d be without you,” I rested my head on his shoulder and looked down at our beautiful sleeping son.

Goodnight Hawke. Goodnight Moon. Goodnight World.