Jenny #2
“Want to help me bring out the breakfast things?” Trudy asked.
Jenny nodded, glad for the distraction, and they both headed to the kitchen and carried out a tray of beautiful golden pancakes and a tray with dishes of fruit, bacon, and a carafe of warm maple syrup.
By the time Ward and Gael were back and had unloaded their armloads of wood into the recessed shelves by the library fireplace, breakfast was ready to be served.
They all sat down together, and Gael said a sweet blessing over the beautiful meal, ending it with a wish for Erik’s happiness and a blessing for all the veterans at the Center.
Jenny’s heart ached as she added her silent prayer for Jason, but it was a good ache, the kind that reminded her that if she could be moved by a nine-year-old’s sweet wishes, then she was still alive.
Then the plates and dishes were being passed around and everyone dug into their meal.
The pancakes were light and fluffy, the fruit was sweet, and the maple syrup was the real thing, not the fake stuff Jenny usually bought in the city.
As they all chatted and ate, she began to feel more and more settled and happy.
Is there any problem a good meal and a good think can’t solve?
She smiled at the memory of Jason’s words. Sometimes it felt like he was whispering right in her ear, reminding her once again of what she needed when she was feeling down.
Beside her, Gael was smiling, his shoulders down and his plate half-cleaned already. Today was going to be a good day for him—she would make sure of that.
They were just sitting back in their chairs when the front door to the inn opened.
“Goodness, we’re not expecting any more guests,” Trudy said, hopping up.
Jenny turned to see Fallon stepping inside, followed by Ransom Wright, Axel Cassidy, and a couple of other people she knew from the Center.
“Hey,” Gael said happily. “What are you guys doing here?”
Erik stepped inside next—his jaw was tense and his green eyes flashed with so much emotion when they landed on her that it took Jenny’s breath away.
He was practically in the dining room before she even noticed he was carrying a big pot with a lid on it.
More veterans filed in after him, kicking the snow off their boots and filling the hall.
Half the regulars from the Center must be here, Jenny thought to herself.
There were footsteps on the staircase, and down came Tom and Angie, joining the others, hopeful smiles on their faces.
“Jenny,” Erik said, his voice full of emotion as he stepped forward, the pot held out in front of him.
“What… what’s that?” she managed.
“It’s chicken soup,” he said simply.
Memories flashed in her mind, thoughts of the two of them so long ago, eating her homemade chicken soup during that holiday break, trying to make the day feel special even though they were stuck at school.
“You made that for me?” she asked.
“I remember when I had no place to go,” Erik said. “My family was a thousand miles away. You made me soup, and it felt like home. I haven’t felt like that again, not until the day you came to Trinity Falls.”
Jenny’s breath caught in her throat.
“I want to be that for both of you,” he went on. “I want to bring you soup when you’re sad. I want to laugh and smile with you when you’re happy, and go through all our highs and lows together, as a family.”
Gael grabbed Jenny’s hand and she glanced down at her son, whose eyes were fixed on the man she loved, the man they both loved.
“And I don’t want to take my time,” Erik went on gruffly. “I don’t want to be patient. I’ll follow you to Boston, or wherever you want to go.”
She blinked in surprise at that. Erik had a life here and responsibilities. He couldn’t leave the Heroes Center, too many people were counting on him.
Fallon darted over and took the pot of soup from Erik.
The next thing Jenny knew, Erik was down on one knee, something small and shining in his hand.
“Jenny,” he said, his voice deep with emotion. “Will you marry me?”
“For real this time, right?” Gael asked in a stage whisper that made Jenny smile.
“Yes,” Erik said, turning to Gael with the warmest smile. “The truest thing I know is that I love you both, and I want to be part of your family, if you’ll both have me.”
When he turned back to Jenny, she felt tears sliding down her cheeks.
“Gael,” she managed, turning to her son.
“Yes,” he whispered again, gesturing toward Erik. “You have to say yes, or nothing will happen.”
“We won’t be just us anymore,” she said.
“I know,” he told her with a smile. “Isn’t it great?”
He’d told her that he wanted her to be happy, but it hit her suddenly that Gael was happy too. If she said yes he’d have a father, he’d even have a crew of honorary uncles and aunts at the Center—so many things that she never thought she’d be able to give him.
It takes a village to raise a child, she thought to herself. And this is our village.
“Yes,” she said to Erik. “Yes, please.”
He was on his feet in a heartbeat, slipping the ring on her finger and pulling her into his arms.
She drank in his warmth and the comforting masculine scent of him for just a moment, and then they each let go with one hand to drag Gael into their big hug, all three of them laughing as their friends applauded and called out their congratulations.
Happiness and wonder filled Jenny’s heart as she embraced her family.