“I’m thrilled for you, so glad you have someone special.”
“He’s right here. You can say hi. This is Ronan.” I turned the phone slightly to get Ronan on camera. That dangerously addictive shy smile of his made my heart swell with the kind of love I never imagined I could find but now knew was mine forever.
When I was facing my brother and sister again, their grins were all I needed to assure me they were in my corner.
“We’re here visiting his sister. Ronan has two nieces and a nephew.”
“That’s so wonderful.” Amanda wiped her eyes. “We want you to come out and meet us. Obviously, we’ll be making trips to New York, but for the first time, since Marshall and I are both out here, it would be easier if you came to us.”
“If you want to, of course.” Marshall laughed. “Here we are, planning your life, but maybe you’ve had enough of people making decisions that affect you without your input. How are you feeling about all this and everything we’ve told you?”
“I appreciate that. First on my list of things important to me is to always be honest with each other. We have over thirty years to catch up on, which can’t be accomplished in one phone call or a single visit. But every journey starts at the beginning. Our beginning happens to be at a different part of the path, but it’s unique to us. And that’s what makes it special.”
“I love that. And I hope you don’t think I was pushing.” Brow furrowed, Amanda gnawed on her lip and brushed her hair off her face. “I’m just so excited and can’t wait to meet you. I know I’m going to love you.”
It was impossible to explain how those words imprinted themselves on my heart, but maybe it showed on my face, as Ronan kissed my fingers, his lips lingering on my skin.
Marshall said, “Give us a call when you get home, and we can arrange things for your trip. We’ll want to make sure the kids have time to spend with you and aren’t traveling for soccer or baseball games.” He sounded like the pragmatic one, until he hesitated, then blurted out, “I always had a feeling something was missing, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. Now I know. It was you. I’m so angry. There were so many times I could’ve used your advice or needed someone to talk to about things I couldn’t with my father. Not having my big brother around for all these years is the single worst thing to have happened to me, but I’m determined to change that. I want you in my life.”
The pain came directly from my heart. “I missed you too. Both of you. And there’s nothing I want more than to get to know you and join my family to yours.”
“We’d love that too.” Amanda sniffled. “Let’s talk next week? You can call us?”
That must be a signal that they wanted me to take the initiative.
“I will. There’s no getting rid of me now.”
“Bye.”
They both waved to me, and I waved back. The screen went dark, and I huffed out a breath and set the phone on the chair. My shirt was damp with sweat, and I closed my eyes. Ronan curled up next to me and rubbed his cheek to mine.
“That was a good conversation, don’t you think?”
“I do. It’s almost surreal.” I played with his fingers. “I can’t wait for us to start our new lives. You have your sister and the kids, and I have a whole new family to meet.”
“It’s great, isn’t it?” He tangled his feet with mine. “But I needed you there to complete the picture. As happy as I am, you take it to the next level.”
Ronan’s mouth settled over mine, warm and sweet. The kiss was so familiar yet as exciting as if it were brand-new, and the steady flame that always burned when we were together ignited to an inferno.
“I’m ready to go to the next level right now.”
Laughing, Ronan jumped off the chaise and took my hand. “Let’s go get happy together.”
“Wherever you are, I’m happy.”
Epilogue
Ronan
Six months later
“Kids, stop splashing your uncle Gabriel.” Marshall laughed, and dunked Gabriel under the water, sending him sputtering. “That’s my job.”
I cackled and grabbed another burger from the platter Lisa had set on the big picnic table, then sat on one of the chaise lounges by the pool. My parole officer was okay with trips as long as Gabriel was with me, and this was our second trip to California since Gabriel had reunited with his brother and sister. Like my nieces and nephew, after a split-second of hesitation, the kids were all over their uncle, welcoming him into their families. The first time we’d stayed with Amanda, and this time we were at Marshall and Lisa’s house. Both times we’d had barbecues and played in the pool. I spied a motorcycle in the garage and wondered if Marshall would let me take it out for a ride.
Amanda settled into the chair next to me. “Having fun?” She looked like a kid herself, with her long hair pulled back and the dusting of freckles across her slightly sunburned nose.
“A blast. I needed a break from playing tag to refuel.” I spied Gabriel taking the two little girls on his shoulders and pretending to be their horse as they shrieked with joy. “They’re relentless. I bet they go out like a ton of bricks in the afternoon.”
