My daughter is safe and happy. The circle is forming. It’s not a cage, it’s a home, a shelter where we’re all secure and free.
We’re like the foster dogs Gina is always so proud of placing. We chose each other. It’s how we’re meant to be through time, through magic, forever.
EPILOGUE
GINA
“It’s just a good thing I didn’t know cynology was a field of study,” Britt says, looking from me to the group of ladies sitting out on the back deck with us at Owen’s parents’ home. “I might never have married Aiden!”
“That’s not how it works, Birgitte,” her mother argues. “The universe put you and Aiden together on the day your father died. He’s said many times he was there, and his heart connected with yours in that moment.”
“Well, that can’t be right,” Britt counters. “Aiden married Owen’s mother after all.”
“And we know how that turned out.” Gwen crosses her arms, smugly satisfied. “Aiden Stone should have trusted his instincts.”
Britt leans forward to place her hand over mine. “Don’t mind her, Gina. Mom and Aiden have bickered as long as I’ve known them.”
I can’t stop a smile curling my lips. It’s a beautiful, coolChristmas eve. Strings of lights are draped overhead, and a fire pit is in the center of this circle of women who have taken me in as one of their own.
Owen introduced me to all of them, but it’s a lot of names to remember. What I do know is his dad has two brothers, and they all married Britt’s best friends. I also know Heather is just like her mystical grandmother.
The moment I met Gwen, she scooped my hands into both of hers and looked deep into my eyes. I laughed nervously until she announced my aura was perfectly aligned with her grandson’s, and we would have a long and happy life together.
“I could’ve told you that, Grammy G,” Owen said, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
She caught his chin in her fingers, examining his teeth. “I see my spell is still strong.”
Maddie is in heaven being the only grandchild. She skips around eating all the cookies and collecting early Christmas presents.
I happily watch her, remembering how much I loved growing up with all my family close. Every year, when Haddy would travel with her parents from LA to Newhope for Christmas, it felt like all was right with the world.
I have the same feeling sitting here now, holding Owen’s mother’s hand, listening to his grandmother talking about magic and fate and destiny.
Lifting my chin, I look up to where Owen is inside with his best friend Ryan, his father, and all three of his uncles standing around the bar. They’re laughing and talking, and I notice his uncle Alex pouring tumblers of their family’s signature bourbon.
By contrast, we’re sharing glasses of Owen’s aunt Piper’s special “home brew.” She said it’s actually hermother’s special moonshine recipe. She also told me her mother was a doomsday prepper for a while, and she had all types of ways to survive underground for long periods of time.
“Piper Stone, you know very well why your mother did all that prepping,” Owen’s grandmother Patricia fusses.
Piper is engrossed in a conversation with Owen’s aunt Cass and his cousin Penelope, and she just waves at her mother-in-law. I’d like to know more about the real reason for her mother’s prepping, but they leave me hanging on that one.
Maddie walks out to join us rubbing her eyes before climbing into my lap and putting her head on my shoulder.
“Are you tired, Shortcake?”
She shakes her head, poking out her lips. “I miss Spanky and Ladybird.”
“Oh…” I rub small circles on her back. “You know Miss Carla is taking good care of them, right?”
She nods against my shoulder. “But LB won’t get to sing Merry Christmas with me.”
My lips press together in a grin. “I bet we can call in the morning and sing, and as long as they’re together, they don’t mind skipping the cross-country flight.”
“I think it’s time for bed.” Britt stands, extending her hand to her granddaughter. “You’re spending Christmas night with me and Pop. Let’s hurry and get to sleep so Santa can bring you all your presents.”
“Okay!” Maddie hops off my lap quickly, taking her grandmother’s hand and walking with her into the house.
Britt looks back and gives me a wink. “Have a good night, Gina. I’m so happy you’re joining our family.”
