Page 212 of Sins of Innocence

Sadie shakes her head, but grins. "We get it Joy. We're all Veselis now."

Mom clears her throat, her eyes suspiciously bright. "Except me and don't you bother asking me to change my name, I'll carry Dougal to my grave."

"What if you get married again?" Neeve asks quietly.

If the question had come from Sadie, I'd be less surprised.

Mom looks shocked too, but shakes her head. "Your grandfather was it for me, girlie."

For the first time, I truly understand my mom's determination to remain single. If Kieran died, I'd never want to remarry either.

"You're it for me too," I tell him roughly. "Don't you dare die."

"No chance. I have too much to live for." Then Kieran opens the pastry box.

Inside sits a white cake trimmed with green frosting. Across the top, written in elegant script is The Veseli Family.

The tears come before I can stop them. Nobody comments, but Kieran offers me a handkerchief. Black of course.

Mom slips from the room and returns with a cake knife, dessert plates and forks.

The girls are already arguing.

"I want the corner piece."

"No, I do."

"Corners have too much frosting."

"That's impossible."

Kieran cuts the cake while pretending not to hear them but somehow manages to give each girl the slice she wants.

His eyes find mine over Joy's bouncing curls. Neither of us says anything. We don't have to.

The I love yous shimmer in the air between us.

An hour later, we've eaten the cake and tacos. Mom didn't even mention when I used the premade spice packet with the ground beef.

We're in the family room, the girls playing a board game at the game table, Mom knitting in her chair and Kieran and I snuggle together on the chaise part of the couch.

Quiet.

Normal.

Family.

I'm thinking about asking Kieran if he wants to go upstairs while everyone is happily occupied when the doorbell rings.

The chimes are quickly followed by the sound of the front door unlocking.

Ellie then.

She's not the only one with a key for security's sake, but she's the only one who will use it and walk in without being invited. I'm surprised she rang the doorbell at all.

She doesn't usually.

She's carrying two bottles of sparkling grape juice when she walks into the living room. "I heard there was something worth celebrating."