River told Stormi to open her gift, something she’d completely forgotten about with all the excitement. She pulled one small bag out of the larger one and River stepped forward to take it. “This one is actually for your mom and dad,” she said, holding it out to us.
Now it was my turn to be stunned.
Bronson nodded at me to open it and I did the honors, pulling out a wonderful bottle of wine and then an envelope. Inside we found a gift card to an amazing restaurant in downtown Portland and a homemade note that said it was good for one night of babysitting.
The surprises kept coming.
Not only had River come on her own accord to our home, but she brought her kids, and she was offering to spend an evening with Stormi at her place. Her baby steps were getting a lot bigger.
Stormi didn’t really get boundaries as a free, fun-loving kid, but I did. So, stepping forward, I asked if I could hug her. At her nod, I embraced her, telling her thank you.
“Is it my turn?” my daughter asked, politely.
“Yeah, Muffin, it’s your turn,” her dad said.
She dug into the other two gifts in the bag with giddiness. To say she was thrilled with her new jewelry making kit and art set, would be an understatement. She doled out thank yous and promised to make Lennon and Breland bracelets so they had one too.
At Lennon’s unsure facial expression, Stormi said, “It’s okay, boys can wear them, my daddy does, see. I made him one at my friend Embry’s house.”
Not caring one lick if it made him look less manly, Bronson wore that gift from our daughter, proudly and with love. Bronson held up his wrist to show it off.
Lennon’s lips twitched and then a smile broke out across his face, transforming him completely. Damn, that kid was handsome even at sixteen and would one day, if not already, have the girls swooning.
“Can’t wait,” he told Stormi.
She flashed him a smug smile. “I knew it.”
I knew Stormi had won them all over when they all laughed. She had a positive effect on people and she brought happiness to everyone with her sunny disposition.
Once again a pang hit my chest at the thought of me keeping her to myself for so long. I know she was okay, but my girl, noourgirl was meant to love and be loved by many.
As we said goodbye, I tried once again—having asked a few weeks back—to get them to come with us to Gemma’s, but River declined, stating they had plans already. I let it go, knowing today was already so much more than I could have hoped for and there would be more days to get to know our new family.
Bronson held Stormi in his arms as she happily waved goodbye.
It had already been a phenomenal day and we still had more to go.
Chapter Thirty-Four
BRONSON
I had a game plan.
Since I couldn’t wait to get my girl home and spend our first Christmas night in bed together working to make a baby, I’d have to make do with what I had while at Gemma’s.
And that’s when the plan formed in my head.
I’d just have to keep her under the mistletoe as much as possible to tide me over because I couldn’t get enough of Lake.
I had to think I’d done a pretty damn good job since my wife’s lips were plump and pink from kissing when we had headed home.
Chapter Thirty-Five
LAKE
When the door opened,I knew we were in the right place.
Kace and Teal’s house was party central for New Year’s Eve and was already hopping with controlled-chaos as usual. Kids were everywhere and Stormi had been chomping at the bit to get to her friends. She wasted no time jumping into the fray the second she crossed the threshold.
