They’d survived a level of hell. The separation. The custody case. The secrets, and shame, and fear of losing everything they’d created together. And they’d come out the other side stronger.
“We should probably get up,” Janie said without making any move to actually do so. “Everyone will be home soon.”
“Five more minutes and then we’re done,” Solo repeated the line from one of the girls’ favorite animated movies and pulled her closer.
Janie chuckled. “Okay. Five more minutes.”
They lay there in the fading light, arms wrapped tightly around each other, and contentment settled in Solo’s chest. She had her perfect little family back together again, and that was all she’d ever needed.
CHAPTER 27
On Wednesday evening,Janie pulled into the garage parking lot at six thirty and frowned. Why were all the second-floor lights on when Hannah had texted saying she’d be waiting outside? And if she was still working late, she would’ve left the bay doors open. She always said she liked the flow of air even in the cooler months.
Something didn’t feel right. Janie tried not to catastrophize and grabbed her phone to text Hannah, then noticed she’d missed a message twenty minutes ago.
Can you come inside? I’m in the office doing paperwork.
Paperwork on any night would’ve been an early Christmas miracle. Hannah hated the administrative tasks of being part-owner in the garage, and Janie was certain Shay and RB handled most of it. But paperwork on a Friday night when they were supposed to be heading home for family dinner and a movie with the triplets was nearly impossible to believe.
The side door was unlocked, which was also weird. Gabe was serious about security almost to the point of paranoia, especially now that they had so many expensive tools and rare cars with custom paint jobs inside.
Janie stepped into the dark hallway leading to the main garage floor and heard multiple voices, low and conspiratorial, coming from the main bay. Her heart thudded louder against her ribs. Had something happened? Was Hannah okay?
The lights blazed on and a chorus of voices shouted, “SURPRISE!”
Janie screamed and clutched her chest, her heart lurching to her throat. It took her a few seconds before she settled and beganto take in the scene. The garage bay had been transformed from a steel and grease pit to a celebratory space with string lights, decorations, and a banner reading “CONGRATULATIONS, SOLO & JANIE.” In the back, near the tire station, was a table loaded with food and a beautiful floral arrangement, and the space was filled with what looked like every person she cared about in the world grinning at her like maniacs.
Hannah was front and center, looking absurdly pleased with herself, and tears sprang to Janie’s eyes as she started laughing. “You butthead.” She clicked her way across the concrete floor toward Hannah and shoved her shoulder. “I thought something was wrong. I thought?—”
“Sorry for the mild heart attack.” Hannah grinned and pulled Janie into a hug. “But we wanted to celebrate.”
“Celebrate what?”
“You.” Hannah pulled back and held her at arm’s length. “Us. We fought, and we won.”
Janie looked around at the gathered faces: Gabe and Lori, Shay and Rosie, Woody, RB. Tom was holding a squirming Chloe while Luna hung onto his other hand, and Tia kept Carmen’s arms full. There were some people she didn’t recognize, including a couple of women inSanctuarypolos, an awkward-looking woman in a bow tie, and a redhead with aFlower Loftapron on. But they all faded into the backgrounded when she locked eyes with her precious friend. “Maria?” Janie’s voice cracked. “Mirta?”
“We wouldn’t miss this for anything, mija,” Maria said, crossing to pull Janie into a warm hug.
Janie relaxed into the embrace and inhaled the scent of coffee and cinnamon coming from Maria’s hair. “I can’t believe you all did this.” She stayed in Maria’s arms, sniffling a little, overwhelmed by the love in the room, by the fact that all these people—herfamily—had shown up for her. “This is… I don’t even know what to say.”
“Say you’ll eat,” Woody called out. “Because Gabe and I cooked, and if you don’t appreciate it, we’ll be devastated.”
Janie hoped that wasn’t true. They were both wonderful people, but neither of them was known for their culinary skills. “You cooked?” She looked at Gabe, praying for her to say she was joking.
Gabe shrugged. “We ordered it from Bonnie’s and arranged it nicely on serving platters. That counts, right?”
Everyone laughed, and Hannah took Janie’s hand, leading her further into the space. Up close, and now that she was a little less on edge, Janie could see the thought that had gone into this. She spotted plenty of her favorite foods amongst the inevitable pizza and beer. Even the wine they always shared on their anniversaries was chilling in an ice bucket.
Janie tugged on Hannah’s shirt. “When did you plan all this?”
“This week. I wanted to do something to mark what you’ve done. I wanted to celebrate you choosing yourself and choosing us. And to remind you that you have a chosen family who loves the hell out of you.”
Janie couldn’t speak for a moment, like her throat couldn’t possibly be wide enough to allow her gratitude out. Rosie came up beside her with a glass of wine, Shay hugged her, and Janie found herself surrounded by people wanting to congratulate her and to tell her how proud they were.
“Mommy!” Chloe pulled away from Tom and rushed up to her.
Janie swept her daughter up in her arms and breathed in a big hit of her perfect toddler scent.
