Chapter 24
twenty-four
QUINN
Declan
We’re on our way.
I can’t wait to see you.
You saw me yesterday.
Declan
Yeah, at lunch. It’s been over 24 hours.
I’m spoiled with you.
You’re so cheesy *winking face emoji*
Declan
You secretly love it.
You can’t hide it anymore.
I smile as I set my phone on the counter and focus back on making the stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner.
“You look happy,” Emily says from next to me, where she’s mashing the potatoes.
“I am.”
“Declan?” she asks, bumping her hip against mine, a knowing smirk on her face.
“He’s definitely part of it.” I put the bread I’m shredding down and turn to look at Emily, but when I go to open my mouth, nothing comes out.
Declan is a major part of why I’ve been so happy lately. I know that.
Being with him is easy. There’s no pressure to be anyone but myself. And even though we haven’t found much time for us since that night at The Diner, I’ve never felt closer to someone.
The care he took in his truck that night—I know things got heated quickly, and I know he felt guilty after, but I have no doubt if I had told him to stop, he would have—in a heartbeat.
But Declan isn’t the only reason I’m happy.
I love spending so much time with Max. Dad still has another week with his cast, so I’ve been getting Max to and from school. I love those short drives, just the two of us. I feel like I’m really getting to know him.
And Caleb. I know we texted almost every day when I lived in New York, but it’s different knowing I can simply drive down the road to see him—something I’ve found myself doing a couple of times since moving home.
And Emily. She’s always been so welcoming to me, but spending time with her like this, making a meal for my family, is something I’ve always missed out on. And seeing the way she loves my brother makes me so happy they found each other.
And while I hadn’t noticed it in New York, I’d been dreading picking up my camera. Teaching these kids the basics of photography, both digitally and with film, has reignited my love for my camera.
Then there’s Dad. I’ve wasted so much time with him by staying away. I wouldn’t change going to New York. I’ve learned so much over the years—being away from home. But if I could go back in time and stay after Dad was first diagnosed with cancer, I would. Just existing in the same space as him brings me a comfort I didn’t realize I was missing.
Being back in this town, surrounded by these people, it’s reinvigorated me. Brought me back to life. And I’m terrified of what will happen when Dad is gone. Will I still have this peace I’ve found here, or will it all disappear?
“What is it?” Emily asks, turning to me, concern clouding her features.
I shake my head and smile at her. “Nothing. Declan is a big part of it.” I can see Emily doesn’t believe me with the look in her eye, but she lets me get away with it anyway.
“Declan and Ava are here!” Max shouts from the front door.
“Buddy, you don’t need to shout.” We hear Caleb say before he enters the kitchen. “You both doing okay in here?” he asks, coming to press a kiss to Emily’s cheek.
“Yeah, we’re almost done prepping everything. Once the turkey comes out, we’ll finish all of this.”
“You feeling okay?” he asks the question so quietly I know he didn’t intend for me to hear it, but I do, and it has me glancing at the two of them, a question in my eyes.
“I’m fine, you big grump.” Emily smiles as she pushes him away.
“Leave her alone, son,” Dad calls from the couch in the living room, eyes never leaving the TV.
“I come bearing baked macaroni and cheese,” Ava exclaims right before Max comes darting into the kitchen and heading for the living room, Ava strolling in behind him and Declan right behind her.
I can’t help but smile when I see him. His hair is neatly combed back, but as soon as he runs his fingers through it, all that effort will go right out the window. He’s wearing dark wash jeans that hug his waist and thighs perfectly and a dark sweater with the sleeves already pulled up to expose his forearms. He looks handsome.
He smirks when he catches me staring, shaking his head the barest amount. I shrug as if to say “So what?” and he laughs, causing Caleb to glance between us.
“All right. I love you both, but I don’t like that you two can now have silent conversations with each other.”
Declan laughs some more, walking around the kitchen to come to my side, kissing my cheek as I finish prepping the stuffing. “What? Only you and Emily are allowed to do that?” he asks Caleb.
“Yes. That would be great, thanks.” Caleb grabs a green bean from the bowl in front of him, biting it in half.
Emily scoffs. “Oh, hush. You love seeing them both so happy, and you know it.”
“Hey, I told you that in confidence,” Caleb says in mock outrage.
“All right. Let it go.” I laugh, wiping my hands on the towel thrown over my shoulder. “And turn around if you don’t want to see your best friend kiss your little sister.” I turn into Declan, tilting my head up for a proper kiss. Declan leans forward, lifting a hand to cup my cheek and tenderly kiss my lips. “Hi,” I whisper when he pulls away.
“Hi.” He smiles.
Caleb pulls Declan away from me. “Okay, that’s enough. Come on, Dec, let’s watch the game with Dad.”
“All right. Why are you and my brother so cute together?” Ava asks, leaning against the counter across from Emily and me.
“Right? They are so stinkin’ cute,” Emily agrees.
“Stop it.” I know I’m blushing, but it doesn’t stop me from smiling.
We told everyone about us at breakfast this past Sunday, but we made a point not to be overly affectionate with each other. So, this is the first time everyone sees how the two of us interact. I don’t love the attention from my family, but I love the attention from Declan.
“What’s going on with you? Figure out how you want to spend your time in town yet?” I ask Ava, moving the attention from me.
While Ava still hasn’t shared the whole story with Declan, she did tell him she’s not planning on continuing to practice law anymore. He wasn’t thrilled about it, but he understood doing something because their parents pressured them. So, he’s trying his hardest to be supportive of her.
“I saw a help wanted sign at the bookstore. I was thinking of applying for the job. I’m pretty sure it’s only part-time, but I used to love reading, so I thought it could be fun.”
“My friend Abbey manages the store. Let me know if you want me to talk to her for you,” Emily offers.
“That would be awesome. Thanks.”
“So you’re staying indefinitely?” I ask.
“Yeah, unless that’s not okay,” she says hesitantly.
I reach across the counter for her hand. “Of course it’s okay! I didn’t mean anything by that. The last time we talked about this, you were staying through the end of the year, and a job is more long-term than that.”
“Yeah, I’m not completely sure. I know I don’t want to go home, and I need something to do. The bookstore seems like a good opportunity.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Emily says. Her eyes bounce between us as if she’s trying to decide something. “Are we done in here?” she finally asks, looking at me.
“Yeah.” My eyebrows furrow as I look at her. She’s not quite acting like herself.
“Great! Caleb and I have an announcement we’d like to make.” Emily grabs my arm and pulls me into the living room where the guys are.
“I thought we were going to wait for dinner,” Caleb says as he stands from the couch while Emily pushes me into the loveseat next to Declan.
“I don’t want to,” she says, pushing Ava into the seat Caleb just vacated. “Scott, could you turn the TV off?”
“But the game?—”
“It will still be there when we’re done.” Her hands go to her hips, looking at him sternly.
“Dad, turn it off. This is clearly important.” I move to the edge of my seat, feeling a zing of nervous energy move through me.
Dad looks closer at Caleb and Emily standing to the side before he shuts the TV off, moving to sit a little straighter in his seat. “What’s going on?”
Emily looks up at Caleb standing at her side. She gives him a small smile and nods as if telling him he should share whatever they want to tell us. When Caleb smiles back at her, I finally relax. It can't be bad news if they’re looking at each other that way.
Caleb pulls Emily into his side, looks at me and Declan before shifting his eye to Dad. “Emily’s pregnant. We’re having a baby!”
“What?!” I shout, jumping from my seat.
Emily nods her head, tears forming in her eyes. “Due in May.”
“Oh my god!” I rush to Emily and pull her into a fierce hug. She laughs and hugs me back just as hard.
“Congrats, man,” Declan says, pulling Caleb in for a hug.
Declan and I switch places, and when I pull Caleb in for a hug, I whisper in his ear. “You are going to make an amazing father.” A tight squeeze is my only response from him.
When we pull away, we turn to look at Dad, who hasn’t moved or said anything since the announcement.
“Dad?” Caleb asks.
His voice is hoarse when he finally speaks. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
He stands, pulling Emily in for a hug first. I don’t hear what he says, but I can see he whispers something in her ear that has tears forming in her eyes.
Dad turns to Caleb, placing his hands on his shoulders. He stares at him for a moment before pulling Caleb in for a hug. From where I’m standing, I can see how tight of a hug they both give each other. They don’t say anything, but when they finally pull away, there are tears in both of their eyes.
“I am so damn happy for you,” Dad finally says to Caleb.
“Okay, that’s enough of that.” Emily wipes at her cheeks. “I’ve shed enough tears for all of us to last a lifetime since I found out. Hormones are no joke.”
A soft chuckle goes around the room, but I have a pretty good feeling I know what we’re all thinking. Will Dad be around in May to see this baby?
Declan reaches to me, pulling me into his side with his arm over my shoulders, and kisses my temple. “You okay?” he whispers.
I don’t say anything, for fear of the tears I feel in my eyes slipping free, but I do wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze. Thankful I have him to lean on.