Sebastian was Ben’s closest friend. For decades, Ben had wanted the best for Sebastian. It turned out that Leah was what was best. In her, he’d found the things he’d badly needed. A place to belong. Love and acceptance. A family of his own. Ben had never seen Sebastian love anyone the way that he loved Leah.
Leah had changed for the better, too. Sebastian’s support had relaxed her. No longer was it Leah and her brother against the world. She had a powerful ally, now and forever.
It no longer hurt Ben to see them together. They were meant to be, Sebastian and Leah. Things were as they should be. And he could move on.
Someone asked Natasha about her Year of Living Charles Dickensly.
“I want to take a family trip to Chatham, England, this fall!” She explained her dream itinerary while her husband, Wyatt, listened good-naturedly.
When Ben spotted Luke walking up with a puppy asleep in his arms, he set down his chicken leg. They all quieted, looking at the newcomer as he stood in the gap between two chairs.
“Thank you,” Luke said. “When I needed someone to be there for me, that first night in the ICU, you were there. Even though you had no reason to help me.”
“We didn’t need a reason to help.” Genevieve faced Luke more fully. “But we did have one. You saved me, all those years ago, when you pulled me out of that dark hallway during the earthquake.”
“And me,” Ben said.
“And me,” Sebastian said.
“And me,” Natasha said.
“We haven’t forgotten,” Ben told Luke. “And we never will.”
“We love you,” Genevieve said.
“And it would mean a lot to us if we could be your friends,” Natasha dared to say.
Everyone waited while Luke’s intimidating gaze swept the group.He’s holding a puppy, Ben reminded himself.He’s not as scary as he used to be.
“Okay,” Luke said simply. “Friends.”
Genevieve and Natasha clapped. Sam asked about the puppy.
One by one, Ben took in the details of Misty River’s famous Miracle Five. All of them together this evening.
The miracle of the Miracle Five wasn’t just that they’d physically survived the earthquake. But that they’d all found ways to thrive despite the trauma they’d suffered.
The God Ben knew could be trusted to redeem the hardship He allowed.
He’d done just that for every single one of them.
In His time.
Luke was not a social person.
For Finley’s sake, he’d done his best tonight. He’d helped set up. He’d talked as much as he could. He’d catered to Agatha. He’d refilled people’s glasses and handed out vegan cake. He’d spent time with his family and hugged each of them—even Blair—when they’d left.
When only three guests remained, Luke gave himself a pass and started filling Finley’s dishwasher. Everyone had done a solid job of cleaning things up and taking their dishes home with them. Even so, there was enough here for a full load, and he didn’t want Finley stuck with it. She still tired easily, and the party must have drained her energy.
She drifted toward the front door, chatting with the stragglers. He finished loading the machine, then started it. When he straightened, he saw Finley walking toward him in bare feet. Her hair was loose. Her dress glided against the lines of her body.
“You look sexy when you clean,” she said.
“That’s why I do it.”
She stopped a few feet away. “I had a chance to thank everyone tonight except you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” In fact, her thanks made him uncomfortable because he wanted so badly for her to love him ... but not because of thankfulness.
