We couldn’t go just yet. There was something that had to be done first. A little surprise that had been in the works. I had already surprised Bre with her very own silver-heart tracking necklace which she was thrilled with. It also allowed me to rest a bit easier after everything we’d been through.
Maybe we could talk to the guys about coming up with something similar for Lennon, along with the other boys.
Now it was my husband’s turn for a surprise.
“The kids and I need to give you something first,” I told him.
His head tilted to the side and eyes turned curious. I headed to the kitchen table and everyone followed. It may have been for Huntley, but I knew Val would want to be here for the moment too. After all, it was all happening because of her amazing son.
I nodded at Lennon. He’d been the one to talk to his sister and then they came to me before we’d said our vows and told me what they wanted. I’d been filled with joy.
Lennon picked up the papers and held them out across the table toward Huntley. “Not long ago you mentioned wanting us to take your name. Bre and I, we want to be Taylors too.”
Val sniffed beside me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off my guy. With shaky hands he read the papers from what would officially be his own son soon; I watched as the first tear hit the paper.
He moved around the table, closer to them. “You want me to be your dad?”
All he had to do was sign and we could finish the process.
I held my breath, watching the scene play out in front of me.
“You already are,” Bre said softly, tears trickling down her face now. “You’re my Superman too.”
Huntley sucked in a breath and then opened his arms. Bre rushed right into them. He looked over her head as she was tucked tight in his embrace and met Lennon’s gaze. Unwrapping one arm from around Bre, he held it out.
Lennon moved in and grabbed hold. “Yeah, we want you to be our dad,” I heard him say.
My husband held out his arm again and I squeezed my way into the group.
Then, I looked over to my angel who was crying with pure happiness and said, “Come on, Mom. Join us.”
She gasped when I called her mom and then again when Lennon said, “Yeah, Grandma, come on.” But she didn’t hesitate to get in on the hug.
Roxie started barking and jumping in circles as if she knew something monumental just happened and wanted to be part of it all.
Everyone laughed at her, tears in all our eyes. Even our son’s. He’d let down his guard a bit. Maybe he would finally let us all take some of the burden he held onto and just be a kid.
There were still so many things to work on, but we’d been doing it,together.Bre had been having some nightmares, but she didn’t shut down. She had no issue talking to me about them and keeping the lines of communication open. One day at a time she, as well as I, were getting stronger and working to put our past behind us.
I knew she wasn’t in the same place I was, but I had no doubt she would get there one day. She, and Lennon both had already come so far.
“I love you all so much,” my husband said, bringing me back to one of the happiest moments in my life.
A short time later, we walked out of the house.
The five of us. Because Roxie had to stay home of course. Something she was not happy with at all.
One big, happy family.
“So, my manual worked like a charm.”
Alley had a smirk on her face. She was damn proud of herself, that was for sure.
“And Val has a date next weekend with the doctor. Though I did have help with that one.”
Alley gave Ruby a high five.
When Val heard her name, she looked up from where she was talking with Gramps—Ruby’s grandfather—and blushed. She knewexactlywhat we were talking about.
