Page 136 of As the Years Pass

“Hmm, I don’t know how I feel about all these secrets.”

“Just open the gift,” Emmet says.

I tear open the paper, laughing as I pull out a framed photo of the four of us—from when we took the kids to get pumpkins. We’re all smiling, standing close together like a family. I’ve seen the photo before, and though it makes me smile, it’s the hand-painted frame with hearts and I love you’s that is really special.

“Thank you,” I say to Judy and Ian. “This is the best gift I’ve ever got.”

“Now yours!” Ian says, shoving a gift bag at Emmet.

I frown, just as Emmet does.

“I have no idea what that is.”

“Mommy took us to get it,” Judy says.

“She did?” I ask.

“Yep. We wanted to get Emmet something, but didn’t want to ask you because you’d tell him.”

“I would not,” I say defensively. Judy rolls her eyes.

“Open it, open it, open it!” Ian shouts.

“Okay, okay.”

Emmet opens the bag, pulls out the red tissue paper, and pulls out a light blue T-shirt. He unfolds it, and the moment he sees what’s on it, tears fill his eyes.

I’m just as shocked. And touched. And just… speechless.

“We made one for Chris too,” Judy says. “But it’s dark blue instead.”

“Yeah, cuz they’re both the number one step-dads!” Ian shouts.

Emmet lets out a shaky breath and holds out his arm for the kids. They go to him to hug him.

“This is the best gift I have ever gotten in my whole life,” he says. “Thank you so much.” I hear the emotion in his voice and it has me tearing up too.

He gets to his feet, pulls off the shirt he has on and puts this one on.

On it, are cut outs of the kids faces, both of them grinning wide. They’re big and silly and dramatic. Across the top it says #1 Step-Dad on it.

He looks at me, running his hand over it, and mouths, “Thank you.”

All I can do is smile.

Later that night, I make sure he knows that he doesn’t need to thank me for anything. I should be the one thanking him because all this time, he’s been the strong one. He’s the one who kept us together. We’re here because of him. Because he believed in us through all these years.

Epilogue

Emmet

Six months later…

“It’s hot as hell,” Adam says, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.

I chuckle as I pull the golf cart into my father’s driveway.

“That’s Florida in June, for you. We should come back in August.”