Caleb settles on the couch with a yawn. “Seda and I watchElfevery Christmas Eve. Are you guys okay with that?”
“Yeah, we love that movie,” Casen replies, settling onto the couch beside me.
“A movie sounds great,” I say, even though I fear it might drive me even closer to passing out.
As the opening credits roll, Caleb captures my hand, rubbing at the ring around my left finger, a tiny smirk on his lips.
This man. He was shot a handful of days ago, and he’s silently gloating over the ring on my finger.
“You like that, huh?” I whisper.
“Very much.” His smile grows, his eyes warm and full of love.
I never dreamed of finding someone like him. I didn’t think a love like ours existed. And I surely never thought I’d deserve it. But Caleb Thorne stormed into my life like a tornado, uprooting everything and putting it back as he saw fit, putting it backrightand making me his in the process.
Later that night, when we play Santa and lay out all the gifts, when he kisses me in the glow of the Christmas tree, I know this is only the beginning of the rest of our lives.
EPILOGUE
CALEB
Casen and Quinn’s High School Graduation
“Are you crying?” Halle’s tone is almost accusatory.
“No,” I huff, even though that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Every time I think about the boys heading to college in just a few short months, I get choked up. It’s been a privilege to watch them grow and flourish over the past few years. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do in the future.
“You totally are,” Halle laughs.
I wipe beneath my eyes. “Can’t help it. Look at them.” Both over six-foot now, they tower over most of their graduating class.
When Casen’s name is called, he crosses the stage to receive his diploma. Quinn is next.
It’s going to be quiet when they’re gone, but not for long.
On instinct, my hand finds the small swell of Halle’s stomach. It’s only just popped out, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I drive her insane talking to the baby every night, but she humors me. We don’t know yet if it’s a boy or girl, and we aren’t going to find out until delivery. Truthfully it doesn’t matter to either of us. We just want a healthy baby.
The decision to have a baby wasn’t an easy one. We’ve talked about it often over the past few years, discussing how perfect our family already was. The two of us, along with the twins and Seda. In the end, we decided one more just might make our family that much better.
“Daddy, you’re such a sap,” Seda says from my left.
The only reason she still calls me Daddy at this age is because she calls Thayer Dad, but I hope she never stops. It makes me feel like she’s still a little girl and not like she’s fourteen.
“I can’t help it.” I’ve probably always been a little too tender-hearted, but I’d rather care too much than too little.
“Are you going to cry at my graduation?” she asks.
Halle snorts. “He’s going to sob like a baby.”
Seda giggles, giving my knee a pat. “I’ll make sure you have tissues, Daddy. Don’t worry.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
The ceremony comes to an end, and caps are tossed inthe air. Then we head down the auditorium steps to meet with the boys.
Quinn is there first, scooping Seda up and spinning her around before setting her down and ruffling her hair. As a blush stains her cheeks, I count backward from ten to calm myself. I thought by now her crush on the twins would’ve faded, but if anything, it’s only gotten worse.
