Page 64 of Can’t Let You Go (Ivy Ridge #3)
JASON
T his weekend we are officially moving Fallon and Presley into my place.
Lennie and Presley could not be more excited to be sharing a room, even if it’s temporary.
I’m sure once they get older they won’t want to share a room, but for a few months, it will be fine.
It worked out pretty well, actually. Fallon’s lease ends in a month anyway.
Fallon and Presley are spending one last week by themselves at their house, mainly so they can pack. Luckily, I have quite a bit of space in my basement and garage, otherwise we would probably have to rent a storage unit for a few months.
Beau, Fallon, and I have a meeting in a few days to discuss what our price range is, and what we’re looking for. Beau’s already sent me a few options, but nothing has quite matched what I have in mind.
It’s crazy to think that this time last year, I was lost, still in a zone of never wanting to find someone else. So determined to live my life alone, thinking that is what was best for my daughter and me.
Then the bright sunshine that is Fallon and Presley fell into my lap and even though I tried to fight it, she wormed her way into my heart and my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
There’s a knock on my office door, and Gramps and Thomas are standing in the doorway. “Hey, son,” Gramps greets, walking in and sitting down in the extra chair.
I greet them, and don’t bother asking why they’re here. Honestly, it’s par for the course at this point for any of my family to show up at any time, anywhere. “Big week coming up,” Gramps says, his voice full of his familiar mirth.
I lean back in my chair, rubbing my hands together. “You could say that.”
“Ready?” he asks.
“More than ready.”
“Good,” he murmurs. “I knew she was the one for you the day I met her at Cindy and Andrew’s wedding. She and that little girl are perfect additions to the family.”
“You knew even then?” I ask, a little shocked. “How?”
“An old man knows these things. I knew Cindy was perfect for Andrew, and Marley and Beau were a no brainer. Thomas hasn’t found his perfect match quite yet, but if I had to guess, it’ll happen soon.”
Thomas lets out a disbelieving chuckle. “Yeah, right. I’m not holding out too much hope.”
“You’ll find her,” I state. Thomas has never really been one to date, even back in high school.
He shrugs. “We’ll see.”
“Don’t question an old man,” Gramps says, shoving Thomas’s shoulder.
“I’m not,” Thomas defends, crossing his arms. “I’m only saying I don’t have much hope. I’d love to find someone. We all know how much I want a family of my own.”
I stand, striding over and pulling him into a tight hug. “Don’t give up.”
“Oh, hey,” a familiar voice says from the doorway. “I can come back.”
I pull away from my brother to see Fallon and Presley in the doorway.
Lennie bounds through, rushing into Gramps’ lap.
“Gramps!” she yells. “Did you hear that Fallon and Presley are moving in? They’re totally going to get married, even though they keep telling us ‘ not yet’ and ‘ we have to be patient’.
” Her voice lowers to a whisper that everyone can still hear. “Gramps. I am not patient.”
Gramps laughs boisterously. “I’m not patient either, Lennie.” Presley strides over to stand next to him, resting her hand on his arm.
“Gramps, can you be my Gramps too now that I’m moving into Jason and Lennie’s house?” she asks so tentatively I can practically see the nerves radiating off her. “I don’t have a Gramps. I love my grandma a lot, and she can be Lennie’s grandma too, but I want to have a Gramps.”
“I would love to be your Gramps, Presley,” Gramps voice is choked up, and I swear I can see a hint of a tear in his eye.
“Lennie’s Grandma Nikki and Grandpa Richard, as well as Jane and Gabriel will be your grandparents too.
Soon, you’ll have so many grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins that you won’t know what to do with it. ”
Fallon covers her mouth, covering the wide smile settled on her lips. I pull her across my small office and into my arms. Her back is to my front, and I lean down, my mouth brushing the shell of her ear. “They’re your family too, you know.”
She nods, leaning her head back onto my chest. “Thank you for making me a part of it. ”
“Thank you for being a part of it,” I reply, kissing her cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you more,” she responds.
I shake my head, whispering in her ear, “Not possible.”
The girls continue to talk with Gramps and Thomas all about the upcoming move. Thomas even offers to take the girls in his patrol car for a ride with Arson someday.
Everything is falling into place, and I’m more settled than I ever have been.