Page 120 of Before and After

“You’re welcome.”

“Oh, I also got a message from your mom. She’s excited for our visit in January. She can’t wait to meet Ollie.”

Allie had encouraged me to reconnect with my mom, Clara, and Sara. It hadn’t been easy, but Mom and my sisters had made it clear they missed me. We were heading to Texas for a visit in the new year.

“She wants grandbabies. My sisters aren’t making any yet, so prepare for her to lavish the love on Ollie and spoil him.”

“Next up is Ollie,” the teacher announced.

Ollie bounced up and rushed over to us. He turned to face his class.

“My mommy and daddy died.” His voice wobbled, and Allie touched his shoulder. He smiled up at her. “I miss them. In my life before, I lived with my parents in a house. Daddy was going to get me a dog.”

A dog? Maybe that was something else we could do once we found a new house.

“Now, I live with my aunt Allie.” Ollie beamed up at her. “And my Caden.”

When he looked at me, I winked.

“Now, we all live together.” Then Ollie reached out and took Allie’s hand. She froze, looking shocked, then she closed her fingers on his. He reached out with his other hand and took mine. “Now, we’re a family.”

Hell, the kid was killing me. I never thought I’d be the man I was before I joined the military again. I never thought I’d feel so much, care so much, or love so much. But now, while I’d never be that young idealistic man again, I was a new man. One who was in love with an amazing woman and her nephew.

I looked over Ollie’s head at Allie. Her eyes were misty and her mouth moved.Love you.

I smiled at her. My life after was better than anything I’d ever imagined.

I’d happily spend my lifetime protecting them, loving them, and doing everything with this woman by my side.