“Nah. They have you. I’m not worried.”
Warmth blooms in my chest. This is everything I ever wanted in life. Marcus. A family. It’s everything I neverdreamed I could get. Instead of the accident putting a wedge between me and Marcus, it only brought us closer together.
“We’re home!” Sam and Sadie’s voices ring out through the house.
Marcus and I scurry around the island to greet the girls. Bright and happy faces meet us, cheeks pink from the cold.
“Daddy! Harper!”
Sadie jumps into my waiting arms as Sam tackles Marcus around the legs.
“I missed you,” I tell Sadie.
“I missed you too. But I played a lot of chess with Nana.”
“You did? Did you win?” I ask her.
She nods. “Yes. Nana and Papa aren’t very good.”
I hug Sadie to me, missing this girl more than I thought. “Maybe you can beat me tonight.”
“Deal.”
Sadie wiggles out of my arms before she goes to hug Marcus. I bend down to hug Sam. “I missed you too, sweetheart.”
“We got you a present from Seattle.”
“You’re so sweet.”
“And look.” Sam smiles at me. “I lost another tooth.”
“Did the tooth fairy come?”
She nods. “I got five dollars.”
“Five dollars?” Marcus interjects. “The tooth fairy is very generous.”
“That’s what I said,” Jane laughs.
“Thanks for traveling with them, Mom,” Marcus tells her.
“I know you had practice. I liked getting the time.”
Jane turns her attention to me, and I do my best not tosquirm. The smile on her face is warm, but I’m still wary. I want her to like me for me and not only because Marcus loves me.
“Dinner is ready if you’re hungry,” I tell them.
“What are we having?” Sadie asks, as Marcus takes the girls’ backpacks and coats.
“Your favorite.” I take Sam’s hand and lead her into the kitchen.
“Spaghetti!” She runs over to the table and climbs into her seat. The table is set with dishes covered and waiting to be eaten.
“This looks great,” Jane tells me. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“We’re glad you could stay.”
Marcus smiles at me as we all take our seats.
