Page 41

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

A LONG WAY

PENN

“Are you sure we can’t just open the presents now?” I ask, following Addy around the house.

She turns and gives me a playful shove and I pretend to be wounded.

“You’re worse than the kids!”

“I just can’t wait for them to see their presents!” I lean in closer. “They’re gonna be so excited about those bikes.”

She slaps her hand over my mouth, shushing me. “Do not let them hear you talking about the presents,” she hisses.

“Jeez. Where is your Christmas spirit?” I grump. My head falls back and I groan. “This is the longest day ever.”

I look at my watch. Our parents won’t be here for a few hours yet.

Gizmo nuzzles against my leg and I bend down to pick him up.

“Hey, little guy,” I say, kissing his wrinkly forehead.

I’ve come a long way with Jezebel and the kittens. I’d never let the little dude know that I think he’s an alien on short legs. He deserves love. His purr makes me smile and when I look up, Addy’s smiling at me.

“We still have surprises to put out tonight, you know. After they go to bed,” she whispers.

That lifts my spirits a little. “Right. Okay. What are the kids doing? I haven’t seen them for a while.”

She lifts her shoulders. “They’re working on a surprise…I have no idea.”

“Ooo, interesting.” I lift my eyebrows and move toward the stairs.

“Do not go and spy on them,” she says.

I sigh. I hold Gizmo up and act like he’s speaking. “Let the master of Christmas cheer do his thing.”

“You did not just call yourself the master.”

I peek out from Gizmo. “ No . He said it.”

“Mm-hmm. You’re too much,” she says, her lips pressing together as she tries not to laugh.

“But just right for you?” I move over and slide one hand around her hip, tugging her against me. Gizmo sighs happily with the increased body heat.

“Just right for me,” she says.

“We could have a little one-on-one time in our bedroom…while the kids are busy and all.”

She’s already shaking her head and backing away. “I have so much to cook still.”

“Ruining all my fun,” I mutter.

I try to help her in the kitchen, but the kittens keep following me around, so Addy shoos us all out. We end up on the couch—Jezebel across my belly, Elsa and Shadow on each leg, and Gizmo curled up in my neck.

I love these hideous things so goddamn much.

My phone buzzes and I try to fish it out of my pocket. Jezebel gives me a look of disdain for waking her up, and I scratch between her ears.

“Sorry, Jezzy. I know your rest is precious.”

I glance at the phone. David.

“Hello?”

“Penn! Happy Christmas Eve!” he says.

“Happy Christmas Eve to you!” I say back.

“Are you with Addy and the kids?” he asks.

“I’m actually on cat duty while Addy cooks, and the kids are upstairs working on a surprise.”

“Can you put them on the phone with you? Actually…can we make this a FaceTime?”

“Sure,” I say slowly.

I sit up and carefully move the cats to the couch, tucking a blanket around them so they go back to sleep.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, as I walk into the kitchen.

“Just wanted to deliver a little Christmas message,” he says.

“David’s on the phone,” I tell Addy. “He wants to give us and the kids a Christmas message.”

“Aw. Okay. Let’s go get them.” She washes her hands really quick and we go upstairs.

I open up the Facetime call and see David’s smiling face. I smile back and Addy knocks on Sam’s door. We hear whispers and Winnie’s giggles, and Sam opens the door, barely creaking it open.

“Can you come out and talk to David for a sec?” I ask.

“Oh,” he says, surprised. “Sure. Come on, Winnie,” he says over his shoulder.

He closes the door and then they come out a couple of seconds later, shutting the door behind them.

“Okay, we’re all here,” I tell David. “These kids are being super mysterious,” I tease.

“Well, I’m so happy to see all of you. Merry Christmas,” David says.

“Merry Christmas!” we all say back.

“And I have the best surprise I could’ve ever hoped to give you on this Christmas Eve,” he adds.

My heart tumbles over itself and I hear Addy gasp.

David’s eyes are full of tears when he nods and says, “We have a date with the judge on Monday! How does Monday sound for adoption day?”

“That’s perfect,” I say, hoarsely.

“Oh my God!” Addy gasps.

“And I have it on good authority…” He leans in and whispers the next part through a big smile, “Sutton spoke with the judge...” He raises his voice again.

“And it’s just a matter of finalizing everything.

Sam and Winnie, the court will issue adoption decrees for both of you, and you’ll be given new birth certificates saying that Penn and Addy are your parents…

with your new last names and everything. How’s that for a Christmas present?”

Sam turns into my chest and starts bawling. I lose it myself. Addy picks Winnie up and we all hug each other, laughing and crying and just so fucking happy. When we finally get our bearings, I steady the phone.

“Thank you, David,” I choke out. “This means the world to us. We can’t thank you enough for your help. You’ve made our dream come true.”

“You did that,” he says shakily. “With the love you’ve provided each other and the time you’ve put toward this process…it’s all you.”

“We couldn’t have done it without you,” Addy says, wiping her face.

“Thank you, David,” Sam says.

“Thank you,” Winnie echoes. “Does it mean I’m staying with you forever? Me and Sam?” she asks, looking up at Addy and me.

“Yes, that’s exactly what it means,” I tell her.

David shakes his head and wipes a stray tear from his cheek. “This has been the most fulfilling case I’ve had. And Monday, we will celebrate! Heck, I hope you celebrate all weekend long!”

“Oh, we will,” I assure him. “Won’t we?” I ask the kids.

“Yes, we will!” they yell.

Winnie reaches for me and I take her from Addy’s arms, hugging her tight.

“Ahh, this is a good day,” David says. “I’ll let you get to it. I just couldn’t wait to tell you the news.”

We all thank him again and when we hang up, we stare at each other for a second before crashing into each other with hugs again.

I twirl Winnie around and then keep dancing down the hall.

Addy and Sam follow, dancing behind me. The kittens skitter around playfully when they see us, and we have the dance party of all dance parties.

When our parents arrive, Sam and I are wearing sweaters and jeans, and Addy and Winnie are both wearing pretty green dresses.

“Wow, you all look so beautiful,” my mom says when she walks in.

“Thanks, Mom. So do you.” I kiss her cheek and then Danielle’s when she walks in next. “And so do you,” I tell her.

Coach even hugs me.

“Hey, Coach,” I say, as he pounds me on the back.

“Are you ever gonna call me Rex?”

“Mmm, I’m not sure I can,” I say, laughing.

“I can’t get over all the decorations out there,” I hear Danielle saying to Addy.

“Penn has found a new calling,” she says.

“Damn straight!” I call.

I look around at our family and grin. I walk over to Addy and put my arm around her waist.

“Do you mind if we take a family picture before we eat?” I ask. “I put a little something together this morning. It’s in the back.”

Addy looks at me in surprise. “What did you do? It’s not an Incredible Hulk inflatable or something, is it?”

“No, but damn…I missed an opportunity there,” I say.

Everyone laughs.

“A family picture sounds great,” my mom says.

“Sam and Winnie, can you help me with the kittens?”

“They’re gonna be in the picture too?” Coach asks.

“They’re family too,” I say.

“Not sure how I feel about that,” I hear him say as I go into the family room where I left the cats last.

Winnie gasps when she sees them. “Oh, they’re so cute!” she coos.

I’ve got them all dressed in cream sweaters. Jezebel’s has a little floofy trim around her neck, and I slide a tutu on her and Elsa, assuring them I’ll take the tutus off as soon as the pictures are over.

“Too good.” Sam laughs. “You’re looking nice, guys,” he says, nuzzling Gizmo and Shadow.

Winnie carries Elsa, and I carry the queen, Jezebel, as she looks on serenely.

Addy and the rest of the family lose it when they see us.

“Oh my goodness!” Danielle says. “Penn, what will you think of next?”

“You just never know,” I say, grinning.

I lead them outside, and not too far from the lake, there’s this one tree that’s always been my favorite.

It’s tall and beautiful on its own, but with lights wrapped on every branch, it’s stunning.

There are three pretty benches with white furry blankets, the biggest one in the middle, and I ordered a massive bouquet with white roses and feathers and greenery from The Enchanted Florist that sits on a pillar nearby.

Everyone gasps when they see the display, even Coach, and I feel my job is done.

I brought the camera on a tripod out before they got here, and I motion toward the area.

“I thought we could take pictures there,” I say, when no one speaks.

“Penn, this is so beautiful,” Addy says. She looks up at me, her eyes luminous. “You make everything so special.” Her voice breaks as she blinks fast. “Not gonna cry. Not gonna cry. Not gonna cry.”

“I love to make you smile,” I tell her. “And cry happy tears,” I add.

She leans up and kisses me. “I love you,” she whispers.

“I love you most,” I say.

When we break apart, I tell everyone where I imagined us all sitting for the picture and set the camera timer with a little remote I can hide under Jezebel’s tutu.

Addy, the kids, and I sit on the middle bench, and they’re each holding a kitten.

Jezzy’s on my lap. This mother doesn’t leave my side if she can help it.

She knows I’ve got her back.

And I think she’s the tits.

Saggy, wrinkly tits, but the tits.

Our parents sit on either side of us. And right before the first picture is taken, I yell, “It’s official! Our court date is on Monday and the adoptions will be final!”

At first there’s a?—

What?

Did I hear that right?

And then?—

It’s finally happening?

Oh my God, this is the best news!

Thank God for a home game on Sunday, so I don’t miss it!

And I make sure the camera gets every moment.