Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Keeping track of one of their little angels.
I turn to whisper for Holly to come and see, but she’s already asleep herself.
Curled up, hugging the pillow Luke was just on, smiling in her sleep the way I never get tired of seeing myself.
Looking from my wife to my son and then up to the moon that seems to fill half the sky, I think of our second child on the way.
Thinking of all the moons and sunsets I saw or missed alone.
But now we’re all here.
Home. A family.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper to Luke and Holly, kissing them both gently on the head before I move quietly through the ancient house and down toward the kitchen.
Setting out cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer.
EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER
Holly
It’s a break in tradition, but we decide on Christmas in the city for the second year running.
Steve suggested it mainly on account of Sister O’Halloran.
“She’s not getting any younger,” he reminds me, puffing air out of his cheeks, pushing away whatever thought I know is too much for him to even think about right now.
“The kids will love it,” I encourage him.
“Luke’s already making noises about us moving back there,” I joke, but Steve’s quick look tells me no.
“Luke’s five,” I remind him. “I’m pretty sure Mom and Dad still have the final say,” I remark, glad it makes Steve smile.
“It’s just I like it out here,” he says.
“And so do we all,” I remind him, feeling dumb for even mentioning something Luke just said off-hand.
But I know it’s Sister O’Halloran he’s really worried about.
“She said she had some big news on the phone,” he tells me somberly.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” I tell him, rubbing his huge back, moving closer until I can hold him properly. Kissing him until we both forget everything.
Like the first day we met, each kiss is like the first.
We love our kids as much as each other, but a five-hour road trip with Luke, Jayden, Millie, and Porter, and another one on the way.
No thanks.
I’m six months pregnant again, and there’s no way I could sit in a car for that long by myself, let alone with four kids plus a giant husband.
Steve’s chartered a ‘small plane,’ he called it. A Learjet is what it is, had to call ahead to block the highway just to land the damned thing.
Hank’s driving us out from the house, having a little vacation of his own with his wife and child, house-sitting for us while we’re away.
It’s a comfortable forty-minute flight, and it feels like within the hour, all six of us, with baby making seven, are in Sister O’Halloran’s little office and living quarters.
“Don’t touch anything,” I caution Luke, who’s already eying the room to see what mischief he can make. Millie’s still clingy, and Porter still small enough to hold.
Luke and Jayden, though? I gotta watch ‘em.
So much like their dad, it’s spooky.
Sister O’Halloran finally joins us all, along with Doctor Sterling. Hugs and kisses all around until the older kids are all squirming, Luke pronouncing everything finally as simply “Gross.”
But it’s Steve I’m worried about. He looks almost gray with worry.
Sister O’Halloran senses it and rushes to give us the news to ease Steve’s mind.
“Well…,” she begins, then presses her front teeth over her lower lip. She looks lost for words for the first time since I’ve known her.
“What is it?” Steve insists, taking her hand. “I can take it. Just tell me, for god’s sake.”
Doctor Sterling clears his throat, and Steve looks over at him, expecting bad news only a doctor should give.
“Steven. Holly… Sister O’Halloran. I mean Molly and I… Uh… What I’m trying to say is….”
Steve looks more confused than ever, and I’m inclined to share that feeling when we all turn to the sound of Sister O’Halloran’s gentle, rocking laughter.
“What we’re trying to tell you all is that Malcolm and I got married!” she almost squeals, thrusting out her long, boney hand. A simple but thick gold band, proclaiming her the good Doctor’s wife.
“You’re… married,” Steve says, sounding flat at first, but his mouth soon shifts to a smile, and he finally laughs aloud, hugging them both until I’m sure I hear their joints crack.
Luke and Jayden, sensing more hugs, make a run for it. Out the door before I can stop them. Steve, Malcolm, and Sister O’Halloran, Molly, are in a world of hugs and emotions of their own.
I’ve got another one coming, too.
I ask myself.
I’m gonna need eyes in the back of my head and an extra set of arms, I reason.
But finding myself joining the group hug and hearing how our romance inspired the aging couple to tie the knot, I also know that Luke and Jayden are safe.
I know we’re in the second safest place, and although boys will be boys, they won’t go too far.