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Chapter Thirty-Four

HARPER

“ I ’m nervous.” I shake out my hands, not for the first time tonight.

“Why?” Marcus steps behind me, tugging me into his arms.

“Because, I want your mom to like me.”

It’s the first time we’re all getting together since Marcus confessed the truth to her. They spent the holidays together before the girls went to visit their grandparents in Washington. She volunteered to travel with them, so she’s bringing them home tonight.

I’m hoping the small present I have for Jane will help smooth the bumpy road we have ahead of us.

“I think I might need to get in her good graces more than you.”

I laugh. “You’re her son. She’ll eventually get over it.”

“The woman can hold a grudge. I hope it’s not a trait the girls get.”

“Nah. They have you. I’m not worried.”

Warmth blooms in my chest. This is everything I ever wanted in life. Marcus. A family. It’s everything I never dreamed I could get. Instead of the accident putting a wedge between me and Marcus, it only brought us closer together.

“We’re home!” Sam and Sadie’s voices ring out through the house.

Marcus and I scurry around the island to greet the girls. Bright and happy faces meet us, cheeks pink from the cold.

“Daddy! Harper!”

Sadie jumps into my waiting arms as Sam tackles Marcus around the legs.

“I missed you,” I tell Sadie.

“I missed you too. But I played a lot of chess with Nana.”

“You did? Did you win?” I ask her.

She nods. “Yes. Nana and Papa aren’t very good.”

I hug Sadie to me, missing this girl more than I thought. “Maybe you can beat me tonight.”

“Deal.”

Sadie wiggles out of my arms before she goes to hug Marcus. I bend down to hug Sam. “I missed you too, sweetheart.”

“We got you a present from Seattle.”

“You’re so sweet.”

“And look.” Sam smiles at me. “I lost another tooth.”

“Did the tooth fairy come?”

She nods. “I got five dollars.”

“Five dollars?” Marcus interjects. “The tooth fairy is very generous.”

“That’s what I said,” Jane laughs.

“Thanks for traveling with them, Mom,” Marcus tells her.

“I know you had practice. I liked getting the time.”

Jane turns her attention to me, and I do my best not to squirm. The smile on her face is warm, but I’m still wary. I want her to like me for me and not only because Marcus loves me.

“Dinner is ready if you’re hungry,” I tell them.

“What are we having?” Sadie asks, as Marcus takes the girls’ backpacks and coats.

“Your favorite.” I take Sam’s hand and lead her into the kitchen.

“Spaghetti!” She runs over to the table and climbs into her seat. The table is set with dishes covered and waiting to be eaten.

“This looks great,” Jane tells me. “Thanks for inviting me.”

“We’re glad you could stay.”

Marcus smiles at me as we all take our seats.

“Marcus tells me you’re a teacher at the girls’ school?” Jane asks, dishing out spaghetti to the girls as I pass over the salad bowl.

“I am. I taught first grade, but moved to second grade and I love it.”

“School is my favorite,” Sadie chirps.

I don’t miss the eye roll Sam gives her. I know Sam isn’t the biggest fan of school, but I’m hoping that might change with me around.

Sam and Sadie tell us all about their trip with their grandparents while we eat our dinner.

“They even took us to see their neighbor’s puppy,” Sam tells us. “They said you should get us a dog.”

“Of course they did. There will be no dog.” Marcus gives the girls a pointed look.

“But why not? We’ll take care of him.” Sadie has a pleading look on her face.

“Why don’t you two go play with some of your new Christmas gifts?” Marcus tells them, more than asking .

“Do we get dessert after?” Sam asks.

I nod. “Yes. I made cheesecake for everyone.”

Sam gives me a kiss on the cheek before running after Sadie. Having helped Marcus move all their new toys into their playroom, I know they’ll be occupied for hours.

“You won’t be able to dodge that for much longer,” I tell Marcus.

“I know. Maybe for their birthday next summer.”

“Good plan,” Jane says. “Dinner was wonderful.”

“All Marcus. I can bake, but Marcus is the chef.”

She smiles back at me. “A perfect couple then.”

Marcus peeks over at me and sends a wink my way.

“I have a present for you.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” Jane waves me off.

“I know, but I wanted you to have it.”

I walk over to the Christmas tree to grab the small box that I set under it so I wouldn’t forget it. Placing it in her hand, I watch as she unwraps it.

“Oh, Harper.”

She fingers the antique locket that I found when Rina and I went to a Christmas market when Marcus was out of town. I knew it would be perfect the minute I found it.

On one side is a picture of Jamie and her husband with Marcus, Sam, and Sadie on the other.

“We’ll need to update this photo.” She points to the one of Marcus and the girls.

“Oh.” My heart drops. I really thought she would like this.

“We’ll need one of all five of us.”

“Really?”

She nods. “I’ll need one of my entire family together.”

Standing, I move around the table to pull her into a hug. Her eyes are wet, just like mine. “Thank you for this, Harper. I don’t deserve your kindness. After everything I said?—”

“No.” I shake my head. “That’s all behind us. We’re moving forward. I love Marcus and the girls, and I want us all to be a family.”

Jane pats my cheeks, wiping my eyes. “I would like that very much. But you know what that means?”

“Don’t say it, Mom,” Marcus groans from behind me.

“What is it?” I look between the two of them.

“Grandbabies. I want lots and lots of grandbabies.”

“You already have two, Mom.”

“What?” She grabs her plate and carries it into the kitchen. “I want to spoil more. So get on it.”

More groaning from Marcus as he tugs me down into his lap. “Did you encourage this idea?”

“I had nothing to do with it.” I drape an arm around his shoulders. “But you know I won’t mind trying.”

That perks him up. “Are we already having the kids discussion?”

I whisper in his ear, “We’re already married.”

“Fair point. I kind of like this idea.”

“Really?” I ask. “You want more kids?”

“Are you having a baby?” Sam asks.

“Fuck me,” Marcus mutters, burying his face in my arm. “They had to come in now.”

“We’re not having a baby.”

“You’re not?” Sadie looks sad at this news.

“Do you want a baby brother or sister?” I ask them.

“Yes!” they answer in unison.

“I want a baby sister,” Sam tells me.

“Me too,” Sadie agrees.

“Do you want a baby sibling or a puppy?” Marcus asks them.

“Puppy! ”

“Baby!”

Each of them gives a different answer that has the three adults in the room laughing.

“Well, we’re not getting both,” Marcus says.

“We can get a puppy later,” Sadie tells Sam. “I want a baby sister.”

“I don’t want a baby bother,” Sam confirms. “Boys are smelly.”

“Hey! I’m not smelly,” Marcus tells them.

“After hockey you are,” Sam says. “Really smelly.”

“Okay. I’m more likely to get you a puppy instead of a baby.”

“Really?” Wide, hopeful eyes look back at us.

“I’ll talk to your dad about it,” I tell them.

“We’re getting a puppy!” they chant around the living room.

“You sure you’re ready for life with these two?” Marcus asks.

Cupping his cheeks, I kiss him. Soft and sweet. “Yeah, Marcus. I want this life with all three of you.”

“Then get ready for chaos.”

“I can’t wait.”