I was surprised by the crowd. I’d expected just Trinity with Anna and Aurora. But they were just the vanguard, carrying flowers and cheerful balloons. Right behind them came Camila and Michael with Alice, followed by Jenna and even Sebastian.
“When did you all get here?” Logan asked, sounding as stunned as I felt.
“We came to see Aunt Evy, didn’t we, Alice?” Michael said, hoisting his giggling daughter. She was getting so big.
“Aunt Evy!” Alice cheered.
I blew her a kiss, then received gentle ones from Anna and Aurora, who climbed onto the bed to reach me.
Trinity stepped forward, her expression a mix of concern and maternal authority. “Did you really think your family wouldn’t come at a time like this? It doesn’t matter that my son decided to live on the other side of the country…”
“Mom!” Logan complained, though he was clearly used to his mother’s theatrics.
“She’s right,” Michael agreed. “The Turner family has its ups and downs, but we stick together when it counts.”
“Well, I’m not exactly a Turner…” Jenna added lightly.
“Don’t be silly, Jenna!” Trinity interjected, waving a dismissive hand. “You may not have the name, but you’re family. Your granddaughters joined this family, and so did you.”
My breath caught. I didn’t know what moved me more—being considered a granddaughter to Jenna, or the simple, profound acknowledgment that I had joined a family.
Unfortunately, they couldn't stay long. Even as director, Logan was strict about hospital rules. But he did manage to have an extra bed brought in so Anna and Aurora could stay, while the rest of the family returned to our house to prepare for a welcome-home dinner once I was discharged.
Everyone left except Sebastian, who was returning to Los Angeles that night. I overheard him telling Logan he still wasn’t ready for family gatherings. He’d thrown himself back into his role as CEO of the family firm, while Michael, relieved to step back from the top job, was happily focusing on his wife, young daughter, and their baby on the way. Sebastian seemed to need the constant work to keep his grief at bay.
“Did you know Alice has a dog?” Anna announced later that night, when it was just the four of us in the quiet room.
“Ares?” Logan asked from his chair.
The two girls, sitting on their companion bed, shook their heads in unison.
“It’sApollo!” Anna corrected him.
We all laughed, and then she added, “Daddy always gets the dog’s name mixed up.”
Logan and I stopped laughing at the same time, stunned by the casual use of the word. Anna, however, carried on talking to Aurora as if nothing had happened.
“Did she just say what I think she said?” Logan whispered, his voice thick.
“She did,” I confirmed softly. When I looked at him, he was blinking rapidly, fighting back tears. “It’s okay to get emotional, love. Now both your girls call you Daddy.”
He smiled and shook his head, still keeping his voice low. “She didn’t even notice she said it. You know how proud she is. If we make a big deal, she might get embarrassed and never say it again.”
“I know. She gets that from her father.”
“Which is why I should act natural, like it’s no big deal.”
“I agree. How about you put them to sleep? I’d help, but my doctor has me on strict bed rest.”
“Your doctor is very wise.” He gave me a quick kiss before heading over to the girls. “Alright, it’s time forDaddyto put you to bed! Come withDaddy! Would you likeDaddyto tell you a story?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Is this your version of ‘acting natural,’ Logan?”
He just shrugged, a mannerism he’d unwittingly copied from Anna. She looked at him, confused.
“Evy, why is daddy talking to us like we’re babies?”
“Because you will always be his babies,” I said, my heart full. “And mine, too.”
