Epilogue
Emmet
Six months later…
“It’s hot as hell,” Adam says, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
I chuckle as I pull the golf cart into my father’s driveway.
“That’s Florida in June, for you. We should come back in August.”
Adam scoffs, so I lean in to kiss his cheek.
The door to the house opens as the kids come barrelling out in their bathing suits. Ian already has his lifejacket on—and somehow his backpack too. My father chuckles, shaking his head as he watches them run for us.
“Someone is prepared,” I say.
Dad shrugs. “I tried getting him to wait, but he wouldn’t have it.”
“Yeah, he’s a stubborn one,” Adam says as he watches the kids hop onto the back of the golf cart.
“Wonder where he gets there from,” I mutter.
Adam elbows me, so I shove him.
“Come on, Grandpa!” Ian shouts, patting the seat. The look in my father’s eyes almost has me in tears.
We didn’t tell the kids they had to call him Grandpa, and it’s the first time they met him.
But once Judy put two and two together, she started it and Ian jumped right on board.
The first time, my father was speechless.
I could tell he was fighting tears. This is something my mother missed out on, but maybe she’s up there watching.
“I’m old!” my father says with a laugh, taking slow steps to the back of the golf cart before climbing on.
“Okay, everyone. Hold on!” I say before backing up. Then we make our way through the community, to the main building where the pool is.
It’s a hot day today, and Adam and I just took a little ride to check out the place.
We drove by the park, and of course it was packed.
There were some other kids there, though.
This is a sixty-five and up community, but a lot of people here have families who visit often, especially during the summer when the kids are out of school.
When the pool is ahead of us, Adam turns toward the back.
“You both better listen and be safe.”
“We will!” they both say.
I pull into the lot and find a spot to park.
The kids hop off, and Adam helps my father down while I take Ian’s hand.
He’s buzzing with energy, basically salivating as he looks at the pool.
But he’s patient as we get into the gate, find a table to put our things down on, and get sunscreen on them.
My father lounges in the sun, while Adam and I sit at the table.
The kids head over the stairs to get in.
We all have our bathing suits, and I’ll go in soon, but I do want to soak up some sun.
I miss it sometimes, but I’d give up just about anything to be with Adam.
So, it’s worth it. I have him, and I have a family.
“Hello, Arnold.” I glance over to find a woman about my father’s age. She’s in a one=piece black bathing suit with a big hat that barely hides her short red hair.
“Oh, hello, Helen. How are you?” My father sits up, and reaches over to pull a chair closer. The woman sits beside him.
“Just enjoying the sun with the family.” She points at a table with four boys.
“Ah, yes. I remember you telling me about this. Annual son vacation, right?”
“That’s right,” she says with a little laugh. “And these are your boys?”
“Oh, how rude of me.” I laugh to myself. “Yes, this is Emmet and his boyfriend, Adam. Their kids are in the pool already.”
“It’s nice to meet you, boys,” she says.
“Likewise,” we say.
I look over at Adam, who is grinning. This woman clearly has the hots for my dad. I can’t tell if he’s interested of not, but if so… good for him. My mom would want him to be happy. That’s all she ever cared about—wanting those she loved to be happy and cared for.
“Daddy, look! Look what I can do!” Judy shouts from the edge of the pool.
We both watch as she kicks off the edge of the pool and falls backwards, going under.
Kids…
“Wow, good job, sweetheart.”
Adam gets up and pulls his shirt off. I lean back, licking my lips as I take him in. He looks at me with a smirk.
“You coming in?”
“I’ll watch.”
I swear he sways his hips more than usual as he walks over to the steps of the pool.
I sit there, content, as I listen to my father flirt with this woman and watch the man I love with kids I never thought I could have.
Life couldn’t be more perfect.
Adam
One year later…
“Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?” Emmet asks.
I roll my eyes.
“If there was anything I was sure about, it’s this, Emmet. It’s literally in your blood.”
We’ve been standing by the door for ten minutes now, waiting for them to show up.
We’ve been in our new house for about three months. The decision to move had been talked about a few times. We wanted something in a quieter part of town, with more land and space. The decision was made for us when we were approved to foster—we needed a bigger house.
Now, here we are, completely content in our home and waiting for our first foster child to show up.
Emmet looks like he’s about to pass out, but if anyone should be calm, it should be him. He’s done this before. A thousand times.
I get that it’s different, and I understand this is a big thing.
“You’re going to be amazing,” I whisper, kissing his cheek.
The doorbell rings, and he jumps. I chuckle as I pull open the door.
On the other side, stands an older woman with long white hair and the tiniest little girl I have ever seen. She looks like she’s five, but we were already told she’s eight.
She was in a terrible situation and removed after her mother OD’ed for the second time.
Her name is Hannah, and she has the biggest blue eyes.
“Hello,” I say with a soft smile, looking from Cindy, the social worker, to the little girl.
She doesn’t smile, just keeps staring at the floor.
I have no idea what this is going to be like, but I know as long as I have Emmet by my side, I can do anything.
“Hello,” Cindy says.
“Come in,” Emmet says, and we move aside to allow them in.
The little girl takes small, slow steps, and moves to the side.
“We can go into the living room to talk,” I offer.
“That would be wonderful,” Cindy says, putting her hand on Hannah’s shoulder.
They sit together on the large couch, while I take the recliner.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Emmet asks.
“Water would be nice,” Cindy says. “Would you like anything, Hannah?”
She blinks, but says nothing.
“We have juice. Water. I could mix you up some chocolate milk. Oh, or hot chocolate.”
Her eyes go wide at that, and he laughs. “Hot chocolate it is.”
Cindy unpacks her worn, leather briefcase, pulling out some paperwork.
“I have her bags in the car, if one of you wouldn’t mind getting them when we’re finished?”
“Of course not,” I say.
“I just have some information for you to look over when you have some time. I have gotten everything else I needed from you last week.”
I get up to take the folder she gives me, placing it on my lap.
“Hannah is a sweet girl. Quiet. Shy. But she’s very, very smart.” She leans closer to Hannah. “Did I tell you they have a daughter just a little older than you?”
She nods.
“Her name is Judy, and she is very excited to meet you. Right now, she has a little brother who she finds absolutely annoying.”
Hannah smiles again. I consider it a win.
Emmet comes back with a bottle of water than he hands to Cindy, then puts the unicorn mug—the one Judy gifted him—on the coffee table in front of Hannah.
“I put extra chocolate in it for you,” he whispers. “And I added milk, so it’s good to drink now. I wasn’t sure if you liked whipped cream, so I didn’t put any, but if you do, I’ll put it next time.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. But she just stares at the cup, and doesn’t pick it up.
Emmet hesitates a moment, then gets up and comes to stand beside me.
“If you have any questions at all, you can reach out to me at any hour of the day. I’m on call for all my cases 24/7.”
She puts her arm on Hannah’s shoulder again. “If you need anything at all, you let Emmet and Adam know. They’ll call me right away. And I’ll be by next week to check on you, okay?”
Hannah nods, and Cindy gets up.
“I’ll walk you out,” I say, getting up. I give Emmet a knowing look, and he nods.
I follow Cindy to her car, where she pulls open the trunk. There is one duffel bag in there.
“She doesn’t have much. A lot of what she had was disgusting. Stained, ripped, too small.”
“We will get her anything she needs.”
Cindy smiles. “I think you’ll do just fine. You both seem like amazing people. Hannah has been through a lot, and she will be quiet for a long time, but I think you can pull her out of her shell.”
“Thank you.”
“I meant it when I said to call if you need anything. Her appointments are all listed on the forms I gave you. Doctor’s numbers and addresses. Her first counseling appointment will be this Thursday, and they’re coming here.”
“I remember.”
“Yes, well, you’re still young, so I assume you would.” She chuckles, then goes around to the driver side. “Have a great night.”
“You too,” I say before heading back up to the house.
When I close the door, I lock it. I head toward the living room, but stop in my tracks when I see Emmet sitting beside Hannah on the couch, dwarfing her with his large side.
She’s smiling, holding her mug that looks to have some missing from it.
Emmet is speaking softly to her, like maybe he’s telling her a story.
My chest floods with warmth, and I smile knowing I will get to see the best sides of Emmet now that we’re on this new journey. I didn’t think I could love him more, but seeing the compassion and adoration on his face as he talks to this poor little girl… I’ve never loved him so much in my life.
This wasn’t the life I imagined for myself, but it’s certainly the one I want.