I picture the treasure I now hold in my heart—the vision I’m holding onto with both hands—and bask in the joy and hope it brings.
Sky’s the limit, indeed.
EPILOGUE
Maggie
“Who’s ever heard of rebounding, anyway?” Luke grumbles under his breath.
Liam sinks deep into a leg stretch. “I think it sounds fun.”
“Itisfun,” I assure them.
Beau hands Kirsten her water bottle, and they each position themselves next to a mini tramp. “Yeah,” he says, “but is it aworkout?”
Braxton rolls his shoulders back. “It will definitely be a workout for you, old man.”
“Who are you calling an old man?” CollinWheaton asks.
“Not you, Pops,” Braxton assures him. “Here, you and mom use these up front with the bar.”
“Oh, good,” Mandy says, following Braxton to the front. “I was hoping some would have bars on them.” The woman looks up at me. “What kind of music are you going to play, dear? Braxton says you play a lot of Metallica?”
I grin and shake my head. “He’s teasing. Do you like Taylor Swift?”
Mandy presses her hands over her heart. “Iloveher.”
“Good,” I say. “Then you’ll like the playlist.”
“I don’t care what music you play,” Luke says, “so long as Jessica Rabbit’s going to be here.”
“Actually,” I say regretfully, “Jessica doesn’tattendthe class, sheteachesit. She’s the one I’ll be subbing for off and on.”
“What?” Luke whines. “She’s the only reason I agreed to come.”
Liam swats him on the back of the head. “You agreed to come because that’s what we do—we show up for family.”
“Yeah,” Braxton says. “Besides, you know this is just a practice class; it’ll only be us.”
“So there won’t beanywomen?” Luke shakes his head.
I pull an apologetic grin. “Not unless we have a few randos show up.”
I instruct everyone to step onto their tramps and warm up by shifting their weight from one foot to the next. Just as I’m about to cue the music, three stragglers hurry in. My nephew, Jack, leads Beau’s kids, Parker and Paige, into the studio, where they each set down their bags, remove their jackets, and take tramps of their own.
Paige goes up front by Mandy with a wide grin. “Hi, Grandma and Grandpa. Hi, Maggie.” She waves at each of us in turn.
I grin back. “Hi, sweetheart! Thanks for coming.”
Jack reveals that crooked smile of his as he shoots me a peace sign. He and Parker take the tramps in back, pushing one another off balance with outstretched arms.
I watch Kirsten and Beau exchange a look that says they’re pleased the boys came. It must feel good to be raising such great kids. I can’t help but take a little credit for how well Jack is turning out, too, since I’ve played a big part in his life.
I have an incredible playlist; one that will have Paige singing her little heart out, I hope. I adjust my headset, ready to get things started, when I’m struck by the sight before me.
Bouncing on mini trampolines throughout the studio is a group of people who are here forme. Showing support in this silly side venture of subbing for a workout class from time to time. Giving me a good practice round with a live, active group.
It’s nothing major, but they showed up. And what had Liam said to Luke?We show up for family.Braxton and I have been dating for three months now, and while we haven’t exactly made wedding plans, the Wheaton family has embraced me like one of their own just like they did with Kirsten.
