Changes

Not until the day before Christmas Eve does Hayden finally tell a family member -- Heather -- the entire story about the accident.  Heather reassures him that their dad did not die disappointed in him, but that he would be disappointed if he could see what Hayden has done with his life since; it becomes the turning point after six long years of depression.  He and Paige discuss her future plans (she will continue to work for Hayden, instead of returning to study genetic research, which she was doing before Rylan's birth), and even though both of them still have concerns about a relationship given their employer-employee status (though technically, she works for Hunter), they agree to begin dating.

Not until the day before Christmas Eve does Hayden finally tell a family member -- Heather -- the entire story about the accident.  Heather reassures him that their dad did not die disappointed in him, but that he would be disappointed if he could see what Hayden has done with his life since; it becomes the turning point after six long years of depression.  He and Paige discuss her future plans (she will continue to work for Hayden, instead of returning to study genetic research, which she was doing before Rylan's birth), and even though both of them still have concerns about a relationship given their employer-employee status (though technically, she works for Hunter), they agree to begin dating.

In the final chapter (before the Epilogue) the two are on a Pacific island beach, where Heather has chosen to hold her wedding on Valentine's Day.  In the interim, Hayden has made several changes in his life: he is awake whenever Paige comes over, after physical therapy he goes to his home office to work during the day (except on Fridays when he spends time with Rylan), and returned to emotional therapy sessions.  Most recently he has started the process of getting his prosthesis.

In the final chapter (before the Epilogue) the two are on a Pacific island beach, where Heather has chosen to hold her wedding on Valentine's Day.  In the interim, Hayden has made several changes in his life: he is awake whenever Paige comes over, after physical therapy he goes to his home office to work during the day (except on Fridays when he spends time with Rylan) and returned to emotional therapy sessions.  Most recently he has started the process of getting his prosthesis.

The Epilogue shows Eliza holding a picture of her late husband.  It is now seven years after the fatal accident, on the day before Christmas Eve, exactly one year after Hayden's emotional breakthrough.  He and Paige are engaged, and the following day (Christmas Eve) will be their wedding day, at the same venue where Hunter and Carissa held their ceremony.  The two have built a house with accessible features for both Rylan and Hayden (who now has his prosthesis) and an attached apartment for Leta, in the same area as his siblings, thus allowing Rylan to attend school (an aide is also available for him as needed) with Rachel and Isla (Hunter has adopted Rachel while Heather and Ash have adopted Isla; Rylan's adoption by Hayden will take place after the honeymoon).  Paige will also return to college to complete her degree.  Though Eliza is still sad that her husband isn't alive to see the weddings, she knows he would be proud of how Hayden has changed in the past 18 months.

The Epilogue shows Eliza holding a picture of her late husband.  It is now seven years after the fatal accident, on the day before Christmas Eve, exactly one year after Hayden's emotional breakthrough.  He and Paige are engaged, and the following day (Christmas Eve) will be their wedding day, at the same venue where Hunter and Carissa held their ceremony (it is mentioned that Hunter and Carissa are expecting a child of their own in the next two months).  The two have built a house with accessible features for both Rylan and Hayden (who now has his prosthesis) and an attached apartment for Leta, in the same area as his siblings, thus allowing Rylan to attend school (an aide is also available for him as needed) with Rachel and Isla (Hunter has adopted Rachel while Heather and Ash have adopted Isla; Rylan's adoption by Hayden will take place after the honeymoon).  Paige will also return to college to complete her degree.  Though Eliza is still sad that her husband isn't alive to see the weddings, she knows he would be proud of how Hayden has changed in the past 18 months.

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