Chapter 49
Spencer
T wo months later
I feel Nathan’s eyes on me as I stare into the cage. “What do you mean, ‘ how did this happen? ’” I ask.
“I mean two days ago, there were two pigs in this cage. Now, how are there seven?”
I glance at him like he’s dim-witted. “Nathan, please tell me I don’t need to explain basic biology to you.”
“Pregnancy is nine months, Spence. We’ve had both of them for two months now.”
We’re standing in the “guinea pig room” as we’ve dubbed it.
Babe and Spike need so much space, I talked Nathan into giving them an entire room all to themselves.
We built quite the spectacle. They have their shared home.
Spike has a man cave. Babe has a she-shed. These piggies are living the good life.
I stare at the new babies, squealing at the top of their lungs, begging for mama’s milk.
Two of them look exactly like Spike. Only one of them is caramel colored with a white mark on its head like his mom.
One is albino, and there’s one all-black guinea pig that I already named Onyx.
God, they’re cute. The symphony of squeals will get old really quick, but there’s something so uniquely precious about seeing a family of piggies together like this.
The babies have created a cuddle circle, only breaking free to take turns at Babe’s milk.
“We have to get rid of them before the girls see.”
He’s not wrong. Claire and Charlie are going to fight tooth and nail to keep every single baby. Not happening.
“Hey, know what we should do?”
He pretends like he’s put off by the sight, but Nathan wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me tightly against his side. He presses his lips against my temple. “What’s that, baby?”
“We should host trivia at the party tonight, and the winners get a guinea pig.”
To my surprise, Nathan nods in agreement. “Fantastic idea. Worst party favor ever. It will guarantee we never have to host an event like this again.”
I chuckle heftily.
After months of searching for a nice venue to host the rehearsal dinner, we settled on Nathan’s estate.
A venue would’ve been easier. It’s taking a team of thirty to prepare his mansion for his dad’s dinner tonight.
I’m thrilled, on the other hand. It’s a black-tie affair, and this time I have a dress that actually fits me.
Charlie is performing a full set. A mini stage with professional acoustics is being installed by the pool so she can wow the whole crowd with her angelic voice.
I even wrote a speech for Nathan to share tonight.
Touchy-feely stuff isn’t his forte, so I gallantly stepped in to write all the beautiful words I know he’s feeling.
“Can we keep one?” I ask.
“We can keep two,” Nathan says. “The mom and the dad. The rest have to go.”
“Oh, Nathan… please. Let me keep Onyx.”
“Woman,” he says, flashing me a stern look. “You did not already start naming them.”
“Of course not. Snickers , Mars Bar , Biscuit , Ghost , and Onyx .” I hurry out their names under my breath.
“You’re worse than our girls.”
I flash him a toothy grin. “The thing is, if we keep Onyx, we kind of have to keep Ghost too. But those piggies are mine. The girls will each want one of their own. And we can’t possibly exclude just one baby. That’s so cruel.”
He blinks at me. “They. Have. To. Go.”
I circle my fingertips around his chest between his muscular pecs. I’ve learned this is an erogenous zone for Nathan. He melts when I touch him here for some reason. I’m not above using my feminine wiles to keep my piggy family together. “Which one do you think is cutest?”
“I know what you’re doing, by the way…” He lets out a grouchy grumble, but eventually points to the corner of the cage. “Which one is that one?”
“Mars Bar.”
“He’s all right. He’s the only one who walks normal instead of freaking out and scurrying around like a roach.”
“Oh my God ,” I exclaim. “How cute would matching shirts be for all of them?”
“For fuck’s sake,” Nathan mumbles, shaking his head.
“C’mere,” I say, luring him to the only couch in the room. I wait until he sits to curl up next to him. I rest my ear against his chest, feeling the loud thumps of his heartbeat. “How are you doing? The hearing is coming up soon. Anything on your mind?”
It’s been a heartbreaking two months for Ruby. Peter went back to jail. He’s never getting out. Ruby has decided to move away from Las Vegas, somewhere on the East Coast. She wanted to start fresh. Honoring her promise to Nathan, Ruby gave Claire a choice…
But it wasn’t much of a choice. Nathan’s name was on her lips before Ruby could barely get out the question. Their bond is deep and unbreakable. Even after three years, they remained loyal and hopeful. It finally paid off. Now, we’re all a family.
“It’ll feel good once it’s official. I can’t forget the past. I’ll never stop thinking about how easy it was for them to rip Claire away from me. I just want to sign the papers so I don’t have to live in fear.”
Reaching up, I cup his cheek. “It’ll be done soon. Claire will be all yours.”
“Not just Claire,” Nathan answers. “I worry about you too. And Charlie. Can I ask you something?
“Anything.”
“Hop up for me.” He squeezes me in a reassuring hug, before pushing me off of him. He darts out of the room, then returns in a flash with a scrapbook in hand. At first I assume it’s one of ours, but then I realize we don’t own a purple scrapbook.
Nathan resumes his position right next to me and hands me the book. I run my fingers over the beautiful etched flowers, layered in a collage-like fashion over the various purple hues. “This is stunning. What is this?”
“Charlie inspired me. She said these scrapbooks really help you guys. I thought it’d be good for Claire.”
I nod. “Charlie had the same idea. They’re how we stay connected to Mom.
There’s something about a picture. Memories warp and fade.
Sometimes I can’t recall the times before my mom got sick.
When she’s stuck in my mind as frail and so ill, I forget we had a life before that.
The photographs help me remember. Emotions twist the narrative based off where you are in life, but photographs keep the memories honest and alive. ”
Nathan stares at me with bleeding adoration. He couldn’t control his smile if he tried. “I’m so glad you wrote my speech for tonight.”
I chuckle. “You and Claire have been working on this together?”
Nathan bobs his head. “It’s been a trip down memory lane.”
“How’s the journey?” I stare into his eyes, always light these days. Even when we have these difficult conversations, they never lose their little spark. Whatever was missing, Nathan got back.
“Bumpy,” he claims. “But therapeutic. Things that Claire remembers, I don’t. There are some things I recall that she can’t. Together we’re piecing it all together.”
He reaches over my lap and pulls the book open. The first page holds a photograph I’m familiar with. No longer hiding in the broken piano bench, Elise and Claire are basking in a field of flowers, their smiles glowing against the black page. “They are stunning, Nathan.”
“So are you.” He cups his fingers underneath my chin, guiding my gaze toward him. “You know that, right? This book doesn’t mean?—”
“ Nathan. You don’t have to do that every time. Your heart is big enough for all of us. I’m not jealous of Elise. She’s part of our family too.”
He lets out a low hum. “ Our family . I really like that, Spencer. I love you.”
It’s not the first time he’s said it. It’s not the first time I’ve returned the sentiment.
Movies used to tell me that “I love you” was supposed to be some big parade.
Flowers, fireworks, and big to-dos. But when you love someone from your very bones, when your heart only beats properly when you know they’re safe…
There’s no gesture that can do it justice.
I love you isn’t a theatrical declaration.
It’s just the truth.
“I love you too, babe.”
I continue flipping through the pages, one by one.
I glimpse a lot of firsts for Nathan, Elise, and Claire.
It’s like watching their story come to life.
It’s bittersweet that Elise found love, only to leave it too soon.
But at least she had it. I’m so glad that after Peter, Elise had the kind of love she deserved.
When I flip to the next page, there’s no picture. Just four photo corners surrounding an empty rectangular space. Beneath, a caption reads: The day she said yes. “What is this? Are you missing a picture?”
“Claire’s idea. We’re manifesting. The moment hasn’t happened yet.”
The “ she ” isn’t Elise… It’s me.
I sit upright, meeting him with big, round eyes. Excitement flutters in my chest as my breathing quickens. “Nathan Hatcher, are you proposing to me?”
He holds up both hands. “Whoa, calm down. Yes.”
“What?” I balk, instinctively smoothing my hair and wetting my lips. I’m still in pajamas this morning, but who cares. It’s fine.
“But,” Nathan adds loudly, “not today. Not like this. But yes, Spencer Riley-Brenner. I want you and your sassy mouth forever. I’m sure of it.
I’d put a ring on your finger today, but the girls will kill me.
It’s sweet. They want to be very involved in the proposal plans.
” He raises his brows. “Expect a balloon arch and colored silly string.”
Joy bubbles up in my chest and spills out as laughter. “I’ll take it.”
“What I wanted to ask you earlier… When I make you my wife, can I adopt Charlie, too? I’ve had my legal team look into the logistics. There are some hoops to jump through, but with your okay?—”
“You have my okay.” I try to smile at him, but I’m overcome with emotion. “Thank you.”
“What’s wrong, baby?”
I hold my face, enjoying the energizing feel of cool fingertips against my warm cheeks. “Since my mother died, even through my past relationship, I always had this familiar feeling. And now it’s gone.”
Nathan’s face fills with concern. “What aren’t you feeling? What am I not giving you? If you tell me, I’ll try?—”
“Nathan, the feeling was alone. And now it’s gone.”
He pulls my hand from my face and kisses each of my knuckles, dolling out extra kisses on my ring finger, like he’s making a promise. “Never alone again,” he murmurs.
We enjoy the sweet quiet for a while, just sitting together, enjoying each other’s warmth. But a commotion from the guinea pig cage disturbs the serenity.
“Spike,” Nathan gripes. “Leave her alone, man. She just gave birth.”
He scolds Spike who is trying to mount Babe, but struggling to get around the babies who are providing a protective shield around their mother.
“She’s in heat again.”
“What? No way. She just popped out a litter.”
I rack my brain trying to remember the details from the guinea pig documentary Charlie made me watch. “Pretty sure she can get pregnant again in just a couple hours after giving birth.”
The smile falls dramatically from Nathan’s face. “You’re kidding me.”
“Nope.”
Nathan rises in an instant. He flings open the cage and scoops Spike right off of Babe’s back. “Oh hell no, you horny little rat. Our entire home is going to be crawling with your spawn.” Nathan waltzes out of the guest room with Spike in hand.
“Where are you going with Spike?”
“He’s grounded,” Nathan calls back. “Separate rooms from now on.”
I hold my ribs as I giggle, feeling gleefully full in all the right places.
All the hurt, all the hell, all the broken pieces… We all had to brave the storm until perfect timing brought us all together. We couldn’t have done it on our own. We needed each other to heal the ache. All the broken moments were waiting to be pieced together just like this.
Our odd little family, stitched together by chance. By choice.
Our perfect, happily ever after.