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“I really like him,” she added. “You should know, we want to go to college together.”
When the time came, they’d have our blessing. “Sounds like you know what you want.”
“I do,” Alandria whispered, standing up. “Do I really look good?”
“Perfection. You’re going to knock his socks off.”
She gave a wobbly grin. “Auntie Ireland wept. Is she okay?”
I chuckled. “She loves you so much. Don’t tell anyone she cried. Wouldn’t want to ruin her reputation.” Both of us rolled our eyes, then laughed again. “Take a minute. I’ll let Rowan know you’ll be right down.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you,” Alandria said.
“I love you to the moon and back,” I replied, slipping out of her room.
As Jackson, myself, Mack, and Ireland stood at the mouth of our driveway watching our children head to their first prom, a pang of longing filled me. In a couple of years, we’d all be standing in the same spot watching our children head to college. Time was a cruel reminder of how short our lives really were. Boy, did I sound melancholy or what?
“Come on,” Jackson said, kissing my temple. “We’re going to pack everyone up and head to Flame for a family dinner. Mack’s treat and my cooking.”
I took a sad, shaky breath and nodded. “They’re growing up.”
“Yes, they are, sunshine,” he whispered. “They’re growing up to become amazing people because they’ve had you as their mother.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “They have you as their father.”
“True, but nothing beats the love of their mother.” He kissed my forehead, then my lips. “Now, let’s have a little fun tonight too. Show those kids how it’s done.” His coy smirk and glittering eyes had me shaking my head.
“You’re incorrigible,” I said with a small watery laugh. “That’s why I love you.”
Jackson hummed a sound of pure satisfaction. “I love you too, sunshine. Forever.”
* * *
Ten years later…
“Would you care to have this dance, Mrs. Banks?” Jackson held his hand out to me as the slow song played.
Today was Alandria’s wedding. The happy couple had already completed their first dance, and now her father and I were headed for the dance floor. Where had all the time gone? Just yesterday, I was sitting in her room, helping her pack for college. Today, she was marrying the love of her life, Rowan. I guess even without telling her or her brothers about the Boom, they figured it out.
“They look so happy together. Reminds me of our first wedding,” I said, stepped out onto the floor. Alandria picked out a white floor-length dress that almost matched her prom dress from her junior year. The only difference was the full, satin skirt covered in an intricate pattern of jewels that sparkled in the lowlight. Rowan wore a black monochrome suit with the only pop of color being his ivory tie and pocket square.
They made a stunning pair.
“Best day of my life was being able to call you wife. It was also the hardest day because we were going to keep it a secret.” Jackson grinned, taking me into his arms. “Have I told you how beautiful you are lately? Or how you still take my breath away every time you step into a room?”
“Each day,” I replied, placing my head to his chest.
“I’ll say it for the rest of our lives too.” We twirled around the dance floor, and the soft light from the twinkling multicolored strands of tea lights gave the space an intimate glow. The rented space in Flame didn’t look like my brother’s restaurant at all but an opulent hall fit for a king and queen. I was grateful for my family and everything they’d done for us over the years. Especially when I’d needed a swift kick in the behind.
“I love you,” I said, closing my eyes and listening to Jackson’s heartbeat as the song came to an end.
“Hey,” he whispered, tugging us into a darkened corner of the room. “I have a question for you.”
I glanced up at him, curious about what he had in mind. “Okay?”
“Let’s adopt,” he said. “A baby or a child. I don’t care which.”
Had I heard him wrong? “Could you repeat that, please?”