CHAPTER TEN #2
Jon’s sitting on one side of me, and Asher is on the other.
Yes, I picked this seat on purpose. You and I both know that, and that it didn’t just “magically” work out that way.
Jon leans over and says quietly so most of the group can’t hear.
“Welcome to the club. You’re going to be a great dad.
My only word of advice, knowing how you like to be the family fixer, is that sometimes you have to let them fail.
Your kid is going to learn to walk and will sometimes fall down.
They have to be allowed to do that. Same with sports and school.
Sometimes the biggest lessons are the ones that they learn from failing. ”
Asher leans over and joins the quiet conversation.
“As much as my dad and pops have both driven me nuts over the years with their stories, I’m glad they told me because there always seems to come a time where one of them comes to mind and helps me figure shit out.
You tell them that, and I will make Christy make you brussels sprouts for a month, fucker.
” I snicker and look between the two of them before I share the last bit of news I have today.
“Well, I guess it’s good that our baby will have you two as godfathers to help raise them right.” They both go silent and blink, like I short-circuited their brains. Jon is the first to respond.
“Well, shit, that’s something ain’t it? I’m honored that you and Christy thought of me.
This little one is gonna be damn special.
” Asher gets a big grin on his face and nods.
“Damn straight they are. I gotta get goin’ on plans for the best treehouse I can build in our backyard for them to play in when they come over.
Yeah…a tree house.” He gets this far-off look, and I know the planner in him is going over the inventory and the number of two-by-fours he’s gonna need. Life is pretty fucking good.
A couple of hours later, and the cigars are long since smoked. We had a visit with some of Zane’s teammates and were introduced to Hanna’s new boyfriend. I guess we’re all gonna go down and watch a match next weekend. The girls seemed way too excited for that.
The brothers are starting to trickle inside or head home, and the fire is a pile of embers. I get up to go inside and find Christy. It’s time for me to take my wife home and celebrate just the two of us.
I walk inside, and I’m stopped by Ma, who gives me a big hug.
“You already knew.” She leans back from me with a smile still on her face.
“I did, but now I can say it out loud and talk about it. I’m very proud of you and can’t wait to see you both become the great parents I know you are going to be.
” I hug her one more time. “I’m gonna go find my girl and get her home.
” Ma says her goodbyes and heads out, no doubt to find Pa.
I look across the room and see Christy on the couch, huddling with Mary.
Those two will always be linked by their history, and I’m glad they have each other to lean on when that history darkens their minds.
I hope whoever Mary ends up with is someone I can handle hanging out with because I have a feeling we’ll be thrown together quite often.
I don’t say anything as I make my way across the room. I get close enough to hear what’s being said. I stop and take a seat, wanting to listen to where this conversation goes.
Mary has a hand on Christy’s stomach. She’s got a small smile on her face when she asks Christy, “You remember that song that both of our mamas used to sing, the one about friends?” My woman lights up, obviously remembering the song.
Christy nods, and they both start quietly singing.
I don’t catch it all till the very end. “A circle is round and has no end. That’s how long I want to be your friend.
” Mary looks down at Christy’s stomach and talks to it like I’ve been doing.
“That’s gonna be you and me, kid. Your mama and I may have had a lot of dark, rough years, but we’re now part of the most amazing family you could ever imagine, and you’re gonna be a part of it soon.
You’re gonna learn that family is what you make of it, and sometimes you luck out like we did. ”
I couldn’t agree more. I thank the gods every day that I got picked to be part of this family at such a young age and that I was the one who picked up Christy that night up on the mountain. Love sometimes really does come when you least expect it.
Five months later
Max
Married life agrees with me. I love being married to Christy, and building a life with her has been amazing so far.
All you married folks would know I was lying if I said it had been perfect.
There have been a few moments where my wife scared the bejesus out of me.
Navigating pregnancy hormones ain’t for the weak.
I didn’t know that leaving my toothbrush next to the sink versus in the new toothbrush holder she got would cause an argument and lots of tears from Christy.
That was last week. This morning, when I left the house, she was happy because I’d made her breakfast before I left.
I don’t do that daily, but I know she’s not been eating breakfast every day, and I need to know that she and my boy are being fed properly.
That’s right, we’re having a boy. I may have already started buying some sports and camping equipment. I’m excited, so sue me.
Today’s a catch-up day in the office for me, but I know Colton has a case starting in court this morning.
He was going through all of his case notes all day yesterday and had me look at them as well.
I’m brought out of my thoughts by a knock on my door.
It opens, and Haley pops her head in. “He doesn’t have an appointment, but Mayson is here, and it looks serious.
” I wonder what’s going on. “Send him back here. I’m just working on catching up on my inbox. ”
Mayson comes in, looking stressed. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen him like this since he got the call that Daisy was coming to him.
He sits down across from me, and I try to wait him out, but after almost a minute, I have to ask.
“What’s goin’ on? Something obviously has you worried, like I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.
Your parents okay?” He nods. “Daisy is doing well these days, too, right?” He nods again.
I lean back in my chair and look at him.
“Are you having woman problems because I didn’t know you were dating anyone?
” He looks at me, and I swear his eyes are getting glassy with tears.
“You remember after the Army contacted me that Daisy’s mom had died in that accident and that they had just gotten confirmation that Chevy had been killed while on a mission?
How they said I was listed as the guardian on their paperwork.
How I had you help me fill everything out so that I would be not just her legal guardian but adopt her so no one could take her away once she became mine? ”
I remember all of that. “Yeah, I remember doing all of that and getting Colton to help you set up a trust for if something happens to you. I remember the loads of paperwork from the Army. Why? Are they coming to you with more forms and shit to fill out?”
Mayson gives that kind of chuckle that tells me this is something way bigger than paperwork.
“If it were only that simple, I wouldn’t be…
Fuck!” I lean forward and change the tone of my voice because the brother sitting across from me, the one I grew up with and don’t remember a time where he wasn’t part of my life, looks like his world is crashing down around him.
I really look at him and ask, “Mayson, what is going on?”
He looks at me and drops a bomb. “Turns out the Army was wrong. Turns out Chevy’s alive and well and wants Daisy back.”
EPILOGUE ONE
Almost seventeen years later
Max
I walk into the house, and I’m not met by the usual noise and chaos.
In fact, it’s almost completely silent. I check my watch, and it’s only five-thirty.
I know I didn’t forget a game or recital.
I have all of that programmed, so I don’t miss anything.
I walk into the house and see the living room strewn with shoes, backpacks, baseball mitts, and a school book or two.
The walls are covered in pictures of our lives over the many years we’ve been together.
Each of our kids' birthdays and family get-togethers. Christy’s got our family moments captured in time.
She’s the heart of it all, and I still thank the gods that it was me who got to carry her off that mountain all those years ago.
I look over and see the dining room table is set for two with candles and wine glasses.
Arms come from behind me and hug me. “It’s not our wedding anniversary yet, so that’s not it.
Last time we had dinner like this was when you told me you were pregnant with Ashlyn, and I vividly remember getting snipped after that.
” Christy comes around me and stands in front of me, as beautiful as the day I met her.
“No, I’m definitely not pregnant, and you’re right, it’s not our wedding anniversary.
” I rack my brain trying to figure out other important dates in our shared history, but my love clues me in.
“It was Logan and Asher’s anniversary a couple of days ago.
” I pull her to me and kiss her temple. “It’s the anniversary of the day we met.
” Christy nods. “Twenty years ago today, in fact.” Holy shit.
It is. I move and kiss the woman who I’m still convinced the gods made for me.
I break the kiss because I need to know. “Where are the kids?”