Epilogue
Mason walked into his house after visiting his mother. She seemed to be thriving at the retirement home, especially after she met a suave widower she had become quite fond of.
“Daddy, look at me!” the little girl waved at him as she did a cartwheel.
“That’s great, honey, but you probably shouldn’t be doing that in the house. Your mom wouldn’t like it. Where is everyone, by the way?”
“They’re in the pool. Are you coming? We’re playing Marco Polo.”
Mason looked indulgently at his youngest daughter. He and Brandi had been watching a news special about children who were up for adoption in the area. Adoption had not been in their minds, as they had three children between them already, but there was something that tugged their hearts about little Tina Reed’s story.
The poor thing had suffered so much in her young life. After a long discussion and running it by their children, Mason and Brandi had submitted the paperwork to begin the adoption process.
Looking at Tina with her shining brown hair and big hazel eyes, she didn’t look like the same child they originally taken in. She’d had been extremely shy and withdrawn. Brandi had been the only one she allowed to touch her. Whenever Mason took a step close to her she would scream. It had been obvious at the time that Tina had trust issues where men were concerned.
With continued counseling and through the love and support of their family, she slowly opened up to him. Tina had blossomed to become the vivacious child he saw standing in front of him. Now she gave him hugs and kisses freely. It upset her if she didn’t get a kiss goodnight from him.
Her mental hurdle was still a factor in their lives. With each passing day, however, she was getting better, and Mason was positive that one day she would be the wholly sunny child she was meant to be. Mostly she was happy and smiling like she was now; other times she wanted to be alone in her quiet place, her room.
One day after coming out of her quiet place, she had been smiling. Mason had asked her why she was so happy. She had replied, “I’m happy because my friend kept his promise. I’m never alone.” When Mason had asked her to elaborate, she’d given him a secretive smile and skipped away. At the time he’d shrugged it off, thinking she was perhaps referring to an imaginary friend, but sometimes he wondered.
Mason wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but it seemed to give Tina comfort. Perhaps she did have a guardian angel looking over her. At times, Mason felt like he had one as well because of all the good things in his life.
Besides welcoming Tina into their family, so many other things had happened. Karen married a man she’d met through her job as an image consultant. Although she never completely warmed to Mason, she had agreed to grant him joint custody. Mason had Ben on the weekends, summers, and school breaks. It worked out well for both parties, because it gave Karen a chance to spend time with her new husband, and it gave Mason a chance to cement the bond with his son.
Ben always had a smile on his face now. He loved the idea of having siblings and was especially close to DJ. Mason and Brandi jokingly referred to those two as Frick and Frack where one was, the other was bound to be close by. Brandi was so great with Ben, treating him like her own, and he loved the twins as much as he loved Ben and Tina. All his children brought him joy every day.
“Come on, Daddy.” Tina tugged at his hands.
Mason chuckled. “Okay, sweetheart.”
He followed Tina to see his family frolicking in the pool and his heart swelled with love.
Mason’s eyes drifted to his wife. He fell in love with her more and more each day. She was so beautiful. The sun glistened on her dark skin and laughter was in her eyes. She flashed him a big white smile and waved at him.
“Are you coming in? The water’s great!” she called to him.
“Yeah, come on in, Dad!” Ben called.
“Hey, Pop!” The twins called out together. They had decided to call him Pop instead of Dad, because they wanted to preserve the memories of their birth father and he was okay with that. He owed Damon Evans a lot. Without him, they wouldn’t exist.
Tina ran and cannon-balled into the pool, splashing everyone.
“Let me go inside and get my trunks and I’ll be right in,” he called.
He tossed one more glance at his family before heading upstairs.
Yes, life was great.