Charlie pointed at the cabin.“Dad said we could go up and add a second floor or we could make an addition out the back.Or both.Add a mudroom and laundry room, too.And another bedroom and bathroom for you guys.There’s already two bedrooms for me and Ella.”
Nash watched Olivia’s eyes fill with happy tears as she envisioned it.She smiled as she leaned into his side.“It sounds incredible.I bet Ford is the best person to speak with about what would work best.What opinions did he have?”
Nash hugged her.“He said everything was doable.We just have to give him a budget, and he’ll get working on some ideas.His buddy Sean Falcone runs Falcon Construction in Phail, and they’ll work things out once we have a plan.”
Olivia laughed and bounced Ella on her knee.“I can’t believe we’re going to live in this amazing place.I never expected to be this happy or this positive about the future.I love you all so much.”
Charlie’s eyes misted, and Nash knew his did the same.He pulled Olivia to her feet and then pulled Charlie into their group hug, with Ella laughing in the middle.It was going to be more than he’d ever imagined.
Charlie bounced out of the hug and grinned.“I’m going to check out the back and see if there’s room to add things on back there.“Come on, Ella.Let’s go see.”
While the kids raced away, Nash tilted up Olivia’s chin.“You’re sure?”
She smiled.“Absolutely, positively, one hundred percent sure.Building this life and this home with you is everything I never dreamed I could have.”
He kissed her and tried to pour all his emotions into the touch.“You deserve all the happiness the world can bring you, Olivia.You’re an amazing woman.”
She smiled.“I’ve written fantasy for years, but you’re making all my personal fantasies come true.”
He laughed.“And we’re just getting started.”
The sound of the kids laughing drifted their way, making them both smile.
Olivia grabbed his hand and tugged.“Let’s go see what our kids are up to.”
Ourkids.
Would she want to add to the total?Would she want a baby?They should add a two-story addition just in case.It would be fun to fill it up.
They rounded the corner to find Charlie building up an arsenal of snowballs.Ella sat nearby patting the ever-patient Oggie.
Charlie looked up with a grin.“You’re too fast.I was going to have a whole pile ready.”
He and Olivia stooped to scoop up snow.He hadn’t finished his snowball before one of Charlie’s hit him in the shoulder.“You’re going down, kid.”
While he was aiming at his son, another snowball hit his other shoulder.From Olivia.
Laughing, he fired it at her instead.“It’s on.”
This was what his future looked like.
It couldn’t be brighter.
Bonus Scene
Lawson Malssum
Lawson tossed another wrench into the toolbox with a sigh.He’d loved Boston since the moment he arrived.Until now.
The acrid scent of burned rubber, metal, and plastic filled his head.The garage where he’d spent more than five years held no more than a few metal tools and toolboxes.The rest had been scorched by stupid kids looking to have a few kicks.
Now, his boss had lost his garage, and Lawson and the others had lost their jobs.
It would be months before the insurance companies and police figured it out.Months before Ricky could rebuild or start over somewhere else.
Lawson waved to his buddy, and headed out to the street for a breath of fresh air.Well, as fresh as the busy street got.
The niggle in the back of his head grew larger.
