Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Oh, the late-night snacks,” she said wistfully. “I forgot about those.”
I had to smile. “The kitchen is sending us an assortment. I got you, Chippy.”
“You got me forever.”
I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. Passionately. Not caring who was watching, because now she was entirely mine.
“Exactly what I wanted.”
“Then take me to the cabin, husband. Make me yours.”
Her words and the feel of her in my arms were perfect.
“Let’s go, Mrs. Fletcher. Let’s go.”
EPILOGUE
SIMON
TWO YEARS LATER
I glanced out the window at the winter wonderland around us. The storm was still blowing, the snow swirling and dense, glittering in the late-afternoon light. Soon, it would be dark, and the snow was forecast to continue to fall. My family was safe and snug in our home, the scent of dinner cooking. Mia and I had made lasagna, still one of our favorites, and the smell of tomatoes, garlic and basil from the sauce beckoned.
Evan, Holly, and the kids were hunkered down at home. They were planning a movie night camped out in front of the fireplace with blankets, popcorn, and candles nearby in case the power went out. Both houses had generators that would kick in if needed, and I knew, like us, they had lots of board games on hand if they lost power. You learned, living in this province, to always have a backup plan. But the beauty and simplicity of this life was worth some minor inconveniences. I had checked on Dylan and Alex, who assured me they were battened down and ready for when the storm hit their side. Amy’s parents were prepared too, although annoyed since they had planned to visit this weekend. I assured them that as soon as the storm finished and the roads were safe, they were welcome. I got on well with my in-laws and enjoyed their company. I knew they were anxious to see us, including the newest member of the family.
I made sure the fire was going, checked dinner preparations, then headed upstairs where my heart wanted to be. As I approached the bedroom, I heard Amy’s soft voice talking to Mia.
“Yes, just like that, Sweet Pea. Oh, you are such a quick learner. Now wrap it around her again. Yes, that’s right. A perfect swaddle.”
“Now I can hold her?”
“Yes.”
I stood in the doorway, watching my girls. My beautiful wife, my eldest daughter, and the newest addition, my baby girl, Madison. Or Maddie, as Mia called her.
Mia held her baby sister, cooing down at her. She looked up at Amy. “She’s the most beautiful baby ever, Mom.”
Amy chuckled, wincing a little as she leaned over, stroking Maddie’s cheek. “I think so too.”
“I love her so much.”
“I know you do.”
“I don’t care if she’s my half sister. She’s all ours.”
Amy frowned and glanced up, meeting my eyes. I pushed off the doorframe and sauntered in, dropping kisses to all my girls’ cheeks. I sat on the ottoman in front of the small love seat where Amy and Mia were, meeting Mia’s eyes.
“Who called her your half sister?”
“One of the kids at school.”
Amy shook her head. “We’re a family. All equal. I love you as much as Maddie, and I didn’t give birth to you. Family means love. And we love one another. There are no halves here.”
“That’s what I told him. I was mad, but I didn’t punch him this time.”
I met Amy’s amused glance. “Oh, this was Oscar again?”
Mia and Oscar were continually on the outs. The day Oscar showed up at school, he had pushed Mia’s buttons, and for the first time, I was called to the office, shocked to have been told that my daughter had punched someone. To everyone’s shock, Oscar had insisted it was his fault because he teased Mia about her freckles. They had appeared over the summer, a wide band of flecks across the bridge of her nose and onto her cheeks. I thought they made her look even more adorable, but she hated them and he had chosen to tease her about the one thing she was ultrasensitive over. She punched him square in the nose, and Amy and I, along with his parents, were brought in to discuss the matter. The children apologized to each other, shook hands, and swore there would be no more remarks or punching.
Since then, they were alternately friends or enemies. Amy and I thought Oscar harbored a huge crush on Mia and did everything he could to get her attention. I wasn’t ready for her to like boys yet, so I was glad when she found him annoying. I dreaded the day he became cute and interesting.
“Good job, Sweet Pea, controlling your temper. I hope you told him off, though.”
“I did. He apologized later and told me he thought Maddie was cute. He even texted later to make sure I wasn’t still mad.”