Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 137077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Which is fine if that’s what Riley wants. Hell, I’d let one of my siblings get internet-ordained and do it right now if she wanted. Actually, that’s not a bad idea. I bet Kyle would do it in a heartbeat.
“Not sure the new paintbrush set I got Luna is gonna compare now. Thanks for ruining it for the rest of us, man,” Carter taunts. But I’m too happy to let his sarcastic poking bother me.
“If it’s the red sable one she’s been talking about, you’re good,” Mom tells him. Luna and Mom have gotten into the habit of talking about various artists and techniques since Mom picked up her watercolor hobby. But even without that, Mom listens and probably knows what each of us have on our Christmas wish lists.
Well, I only have one thing on mine, and I’ve already gotten it.
Riley.
Later that night, I make love to Riley while she wears nothing but the ring, bracelet, and necklace, and maybe a few remaining bits of glittery confetti. The light of the Christmas tree paints her in a warm, colorful glow and she looks right at home in our bed. Yes, we have a second tree in our bedroom. Riley wanted it, and I certainly wasn’t going to say no. But truthfully, I like it. It makes the magic of the season the first thing we see when we wake up in each other’s arms and the last thing we see when we snuggle into bed each night.
“Merry Christmas, Riley,” I tell her, driving into her slow and deep.
“Ho, ho, ho,” she chants, but the last one goes a little high-pitched as her eyes start to roll.
And I’ve gotten all I ever wanted.
EPILOGUE
Riley
“Hey, girls, how was everyone’s day?” Cameron says as he comes into the kitchen after work.
Grace and I went to her riding lesson today and got home about an hour ago. I’ve been slowly working on dinner ever since, and she’s been telling me about her and Liam, who are still ‘talking’ exclusively.
“Great! You won’t believe what Bella did at lunch though!” Grace says before launching into a story about Bella mixing milk and Coke and drinking the whole thing down. The idea of it turns my stomach, but Grace says Bella reports it was pretty good. I’ll have to take her word for it. “She’s a straight-up savage!”
Her friendships with Bella and Trinity are more cemented now, and she hasn’t mentioned Hannah in weeks, which in teenage life is an eternity. There were no big fireworks, no fights, and unfortunately, no dance battles, because Grace would’ve rocked that. My girl can move. But ultimately, it’s for the best. Hannah and she were friends for a season and hopefully learned something from the experience. I know Grace did, and she’s putting that lesson to work, being a better person and friend to Bella and Trinity.
“Definitely sounds savage,” Cameron agrees, looking at me to make sure that’s the right answer. I nod discretely, just once, and he grins, excited to have gotten it right. “What can I do?” he asks me, moving to wash his hands.
“Stir the chili,” I direct, pointing at the big pot on the stove.
This is part of our routine. Cooking dinner together.
After Cameron’s Christmas Day proposal in front of his whole family, we celebrated New Year’s alone, just the three of us watching the ball drop on the big screen in the media room. Grace started back to school, and we mostly kept things pretty much the same, maintaining our morning and afternoon schedules and keeping our family dinners. Cameron and I still sit on the patio nearly every night too—and yes, he drinks tea—but after, we go to bed together.
What’s changed the most is actually Janey. After nearly nine months at home with Emmett, she decided to go back to the Ivy Care Center on a part-time basis, which means I have a new job as a nanny for Emmett two days a week.
My weeks are the perfect mix of caretaking, thrift store scouring, online selling, and most importantly, mothering Grace. It seems fate does always work out, leading me to right where I’m supposed to be, precisely when I’m supposed to be there.
“I talked to Cole today,” Cameron says, his tone light, but I can hear something harder in it.
“About?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
“It’s done.”
The two little words are an immense relief.
I stuck to my word and pressed charges against Austin. He took a plea deal that gave him no jail time, only probation, unless he violates the restraining order and comes within one hundred feet of me, which I don’t think he’ll do. I stood up to him and now, he knows he has no power over me and I won’t hesitate to stand up to him again. Plus, I have a powerful support system that has my back. His plea deal also meant that he was no longer able to foster, and Cole’s been keeping tabs on each child as they transition to their new placements, making sure they’re as good as they can be. It’s not ideal and I wish I could do more, but the kids are safe and in stable placements, which is what matters most.