CHAPTER 35
“Children are the foundation of a family…”
COLIN ADAMS
The moment I got back to the mansion, all I wanted was to take Isabelle in my arms and kiss her like there was no tomorrow. So that’s exactly what I did.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this sudden kiss?” she asked, breathless and half laughing.
“Nothing. Sometimes I just like to surprise you.” I pulled her close again, pressing my lips to her neck.
“Stop…” she gasped. “The kids might be around.”
“So what?” I kept teasing her, my voice low.
“You know…”
“I don’t know anything.”
I kissed her again, deeply this time. Isabelle hesitated for a second, but I didn’t care if someone walked in on us.
Not anymore. For the first time, I could say it with absolute certainty—I loved this woman, and I wasn’t about to hide it.
I’d made too many mistakes before, but this time I wasn’t running.
The bedroom felt miles away; it took us forever to get there, every step charged with anticipation.
“I want you so much it hurts,” she whispered, pulling me closer. “You’re the man who’s going to make me happy forever.”
She has no idea what those words do to me. Hearing them—for a man as broken as I was—felt almost impossible. I never thought I could make a woman happy again after everything that happened. I hadn’t even wanted to try.
“Love me,” she breathed. “It doesn’t matter how—just keep showing me what love really means.”
And I did. Because I loved her. I’d needed a thousand signs to understand just how deeply, but there it was.
Isabelle Campbell… what did you do to me?
That night, we made love over and over again.
I know now—it was a turning point for us both. The moment I’d waited for all my life, because I never thought I could love anyone again beyond my children.
When I got out of the shower, Isabelle came closer and rested her head against my chest.
“How about a trip?” I asked after kissing her.
“Just the two of us?”
“No. The four of us.”
“Colin…” She stepped back slightly, a bit flustered. “I don’t think Hanna really understands what we are to each other yet.”
“You’re right. That’s on me. She should know. Now.”
I started to step away, but Isabelle grabbed my right hand.
“Colin…” She tried to meet my eyes but looked away almost instantly. “My daughter… how do I even explain this… well, she already sees you as…”
“As a father!”
I saw the color drain from Isabelle’s face the second I said it. Yes, I remembered that day—I’d overheard the two of them talking, and I knew exactly what Isabelle was about to say.
“How… how do you know?”
“I’m sorry.” I gave a sheepish smile. “That day, I overheard your conversation. I told you I didn’t, but it felt like the right thing to do at the time.”
She tried to smile but couldn’t quite manage it.
“What is it? Tell me.” I pulled her gently into my arms.
“You’re the first man my daughter’s ever gotten attached to like this, and honestly… it scares me.” She looked into my eyes.
“What exactly are you afraid of?”
“You know,” she said quietly. “Of… something happening that pulls us apart. There’s just so much. I know I’ve made mistakes too, Colin.”
“Nothing’s going to happen. I’m not going anywhere. Actually, I shouldn’t even be having this conversation with you.”
“Why not?” she asked, frowning.
“I don’t know. In my head, this is something I should be talking about with Hanna—since it’s really her decision.”
She looked torn, saying nothing for a few seconds.
“I’m afraid to ask what you’re thinking,” she muttered.
“Come on.”
Isabelle followed me, and when Hanna spotted us, she came running and leapt into my arms. Our bond had only grown stronger through all those therapy sessions—the kids never wanted to leave my side.
“Hanna, I need to ask you something.” I set her down and crouched so we were eye to eye.
“For me?!” she asked, her face lighting up in surprise.
“Yeah. Your answer’s really important.”
“Colin, what are you up to?” Isabelle said, already suspicious.
“Okay, Uncle Colin,” Hanna said with mock seriousness.
“Would you let me and your mom date?”
I couldn’t help glancing at Isabelle after I said it, and I honestly couldn’t describe the look on her face.
“Uh-huh! She really likes you,” Hanna said with a huge grin, barely even hesitating.
“Hanna!” Isabelle tried to scold her, but she was far too embarrassed to sound authoritative.
“Well then. Problem solved,” I said, smirking.
“Oh, and you’re not gonna ask her mom anything?” Isabelle crossed her arms. I stepped closer, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and brushing my fingers gently along her cheek.
“Do I really have to do this?”
Silence filled the room—and that was answer enough.
I loved Isabelle. I’d come to realize it in a way I never expected. Every one of her gestures showed me she was one of the few people who had truly cared about me, and now I finally understood her worth. The way we grew closer proved something else too—that I had never really loved anyone before.
I loved my kids with everything I had, but now I could see that Jeniffer had been nothing more than a fleeting passion. Isabelle, though… she was the woman I was meant to be with. And I was going to prove that I could be the man who would take care of her for the rest of her life.
“So, does that mean I’m gonna have a dad now?” Hanna’s little eyes sparkled with hope.
I crouched down again, bringing myself to her height. She looked so happy hearing the news that it made my chest tighten.
“Hanna, I love your mom—and I love you too. You’re still too young to understand everything, but ever since you started talking to me, I’ve become a better person.
You and your mom helped me see a part of myself I didn’t even know existed.
So if you want, you can be sure of one thing—you’ll have a dad.
And we’ll play together whenever you want, because I’ll always be there when you need me. ”
“I want that!”
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight. And in that moment, I was surer than ever that being with them was the best choice I’d ever made. My best choice.
When I looked to the side, I caught Isabelle crying again—and that image hit me deep. She was so real, so unguarded, wearing her heart right there on her sleeve. Someday, I hoped I could be like that too, because I knew I still held too much back.
“What you just did… I don’t even have words,” she whispered.
“From now on, you two—and Joshua—are my priority. In everything. You can count on that.”
Joshua was playing video games when I sat down next to him on the couch.
“I’ve got some news for you, son.”
“What is it?” He paused the game and looked at me curiously.
Be direct, Colin.
“I asked Isabelle to be my girlfriend—and she said yes. Well, technically, I talked to Hanna first, and apparently her mom didn’t have much of a choice.” I shrugged, trying to sound lighthearted.
“Oh, I know about that.”
“You do?!”
That caught me off guard. It hadn’t even been an hour since it happened.
“Yeah. Hanna told me. She’s really happy and said she finally has a dad.”
For a moment, I couldn’t say a word. I wasn’t sure how this would affect Joshua, what he’d think or feel about it.
“And… you’re okay with it?”
“Yeah.” He smiled. “At first I didn’t want a sister, but I like Hanna. She annoys me sometimes, but she’s cool. And I’ll never forget my sister.”
My son was a mirror image of me—and Isabelle and Hanna had the same effect on both of us.
“Isabelle annoys me sometimes too, but don’t tell her I said that,” I whispered.
“Uh-huh.”
We both laughed, and a wave of warmth spread through me.
“I’m glad you’re not upset, son.”
That’s when Joshua said something I wasn’t expecting. “If Hanna has you as her dad now, then it’s the same for Isabelle, right? She’s gonna be my mom.”
He wasn’t wrong.
“Yeah. I know she’ll do anything for you, son.”
“I’ve always liked her, Dad. And after she helped me get over my fear of car rides, I liked her even more. Someday I’ll love her like I love Mom.”
“When did you get so grown up? Tell me.” I stared at him, speechless.
“I don’t wanna be grown up. I’d rather stay a kid. And… I love you, Dad.”
I hadn’t expected that, but then he threw his arms around me.
Just like at the cemetery, I ended up crying again—and I realized I’d turned into a total softie when it came to my kids.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, son. I pulled away from you, and I mourned your sister’s death alone. Please forgive me. I promise I’ll be a better father.”
“Dad… you’re already the best dad in the world. And even though I’m just a kid, I know you care about people and help everyone here.”
“Hearing that means a lot to me. Thank you, buddy.”
We kept talking for a long time, and for the first time since the tragedy that hit our family, we were finally able to talk about everything—and nothing—at the same time. He even set his video game aside, and that alone felt like a big step toward what was coming next.
One week.
That’s how long Isabelle, Joshua, Hanna and I are going to unplug from our town — from the tragedies, the robbery, everything. And what better way to do it than hit the most beautiful city in the world, blow some money and go shopping till we drop, right?
The answer is no. Actually, the opposite. We decided to spend a few days in Southport, North Carolina.
We all needed something like this. All of us.
Henry was at the mansion, and after talking to everyone he could, he turned to me with a face far too serious.
“Looks like you’re about to give me a lecture. Tell me I’m moving too fast, blah blah blah,” I interrupted, guessing what he was going to say.
I’d told Henry most of the story, and he’d listened in silence — something I never would’ve expected. From him, of all people…
“A lecture? Give me a break.”
“Seriously?”
“I’m quiet because I don’t know how to put into words how happy I am.
You’re changing,” he said, looking up and then shaking his head as if the word wasn’t quite right.
“No — I said that wrong. You’re not changing.
You’re going back to the friend you were years ago.
The tragedy did a lot of damage, but deep down I always knew you could be fixed. ”
I smiled.
“I won’t say a thing.”
“You don’t have to. I will.” He came closer and put a hand on my shoulder.
“You’re a good man, and I see it even in the little moments when you don’t notice.
The way you treat Isabelle and Hanna makes me so happy I can’t even explain it.
I was tough on you when I thought you were giving up, but I did it for your own good, and I’m proud you kept going.
” He paused, then added, “Loving and showing love is hard, man.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“We’ve been through a lot. People change, and not everyone understands what love really means.”
“Why do I have the feeling you’re talking about yourself?”
“You’ll never know my past.” He winked.
“Henry…”
“Just do the right thing. You love each other — it’s obvious. Be the man she expects, and if you hurt her, I’ll personally end you. You hear me?”
I burst out laughing.
“I’d give my life for them — and for Joshua. Don’t worry. I know exactly what I’m doing.”
Henry hugged me, and I hugged him back.
Even though I’d always tried to push him away, he stood by me and put up with all my nonsense. I’m a lucky man to have him as a friend…
Here in Southport, everything’s quiet and peaceful. There aren’t many people around—maybe four thousand at most.
There are moments in life when we seem to have so much, but the more we achieve, the less we truly feel we have. Right now, what I need is peace—time to think about my life and plan for the future. Because, truth is, I want a bigger family.
“Are you liking it here, Hanna?”
Since she’s always brutally honest, I was a little nervous about her answer. But she surprised me when she said, “What I really like is having a dad and seeing my mom happy. So yeah, I’m happy—even if there aren’t any playgrounds here.”
This little girl is going to kill me with happiness one day…
“Come here.” I lifted Hanna into my arms.
It was just the two of us in the living room.
“I know you didn’t get to spend much time with your dad,” I said softly, “but I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure you love me as much as I love you, Hanna.”
“But I do love you, Unc—uh…” She stopped mid-sentence, studying me, clearly confused. “Mom said it’s wrong to say Dad Colin, right?”
I hugged her tight, and I couldn’t help it—a tear slipped down my cheek. Damn it, I’ve turned into a crybaby. I never know what to do when things like this happen.
“Just Dad. Call me Dad, and I’ll be the happiest man in the world.”
“Okay, Dad.”