“We should get some dinner,” he eventually says.
“Yes,” I reply, but neither of us moves.
Greg snuggles closer, and as I sit there, with him next to me and our children sleeping peacefully, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am the luckiest man in the world.
Greg must be thinking the same thing. “Can you believe it, Cam? This is really our life now. Our family.”
I tighten my arm around his shoulders. “It feels like a dream sometimes, a dream come true.”
He moves in my arms to look at me. “I never imagined I could be this happy. You, Tommy, Gemma… you’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Emotion clogs my throat, and I have to blink back sudden tears. “You’ve given me the same, babe. I couldn’t ask for a better partner or a more amazing father for our kids.”
Greg smiles, his eyes bright. The crackling fire casts dancing shadows on the walls. The twinkling lights reflect off the gifts under the Christmas tree. Tomorrow is Christmas Day and will be a day filled with family and friends, but right now, it’s just us. I pull him back against me and enjoy the simple warmth of his body and the rhythmic pattern of his breathing.
The peace isn’t to last. A soft cry breaks the silence. We hold our breath, but Gemma’s cries continue.
“I’ll go,” I say, reluctantly removing my arm from his shoulders and standing.
“No rest for the wicked,” he jokes and gets to his feet with a chuckle. “I guess I’ll start dishing up the casserole. Hey, Cam.” His words stop me at the doorway. He holds my gaze with those amazing blue eyes of his. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I say, a grin on my face. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
I love everything about this man and the beautiful, chaotic, wonderful life we have.
Want more of Camand Greg and their foster son, Tommy? Read on for a bonus chapter to see how Tommy came into their lives.
BONUS SCENE - Tommy
Cam
I swear under my breath as the frame slips before I can secure the bolt to hold the two pieces together. It’s an unseasonally warm day but the late May breeze cools my skin. Nearby, Tommy giggles as he digs in the sandbox, his Bluey T-shirt streaked with peanut butter and other remnants of his lunch. The kid sure is a messy eater. I chuckle and focus back on the task at hand, but it’s next to impossible to align the posts correctly. “Damn.”
“Need a hand there, handyman?” Greg’s amused voice pulls my attention from the scattered swing set parts. He crosses the yard, two water bottles in one hand and Tommy’s red cup in the other.
I chuckle as I straighten. “Very funny. I’ve almost got this… I think.”
“Looks like those instructions are getting the better of you.” Greg grins as he hands me a water bottle, the cool condensation a relief against my palm.
“Hey, bite your tongue!” I protest but can’t hide my smile. “I’ll have you know I’m making great progress.”
Greg shakes his head, laughing as he walks over to hand Tommy his cup. Our little boy looks up, his auburn hair peeking out from under his hat, freckled cheeks stretched in a toothy smile. “Tanks, Papa!”
“You’re welcome, little man.” Greg adjusts his cap before coming to plop down on the grass beside me.
I set the water bottle aside and lean back on my hands, surveying our handiwork in the garden. The garden beds have a layer of fresh mulch, and the raised beds are full of tiny seedlings—carrots, radishes, and lettuce that I planted last weekend.
Greg follows my gaze. “It’s really coming together, isn’t it? Our little piece of paradise.”
I nod, warmth blooming in my chest that has nothing to do with the afternoon sun. My paradise isn’t the freshly mown lawn and weedless garden. It’s Greg looking at Tommy, his blue eyes full of pure adoration.
This beautiful boy with his bright smile and big heart, has made us a family. He’s made our house a home. I still can’t quite believe he’s ours, that the universe led him to us.
“What are you thinking about?” Greg asks quietly. “You’ve got that look.”
“Just… how lucky we are,” I murmur, voice thick with emotion. “To have Tommy, to have each other.”
“I know,” Greg says, resting his head on my shoulder. “We are so damn lucky.”
