Page 49

Ronan

6 YEARS LATER

S he is going to be the death of me, I already know it.

Once a month during the summer, Calista and I host a family get together. We invite Ken, Eamon, the rest of our little family, and the neighboring cabins. It’s pleasant, and given everything that has happened in this Valley, we agree that some normalcy is nice every so often.

Cal met the owners of Echo Ridge when she was doing the design of their cabin, and what an interesting ‘couple’ they are. The Wildhart Hollow couple we met well before actually meeting them, and they are cool. Here I thought me and Cal’s story was taboo.

Actually, speaking of taboo-relationships, the couple from Starlight Ridge, now that was interesting to understand. Especially now, being a dad. They are chill though, pretty sure they caught me carrying my naked wife back to the cabin after she got free from her restraints. I appreciate them not calling the cops and minding their fucking business.

Honestly, I have to admit, having nearly twenty friends, family and kids running around the side of our house, feels right.

Our cabin, still called Sanderson Pine, was finished nearly four years ago. It still has the same A-frame design as its predecessor, but built more into a home than before. Three bedrooms and three full bathrooms, a large living area and an even larger kitchen. A hot tub around the side that’s incased in a glass structure for the winter nights, and a playground for our daughter.

“Get down from there,” I bark as said child climbs on the outside of our trampoline. “If you want to go in, go into it, Sofia.”

“Sorry, Dad.”

I nod, and she turns to join Cedric’s son, as well as Lux’s three-year-old daughter, who’s just as mischievous as Sofia is at four. Mia plays with them too, and despite being in her teens, she jumps with the kids as though she’s their age.

A hand slides across my back, pulling my attention down to see my wife at my side. She rests her head against my chest and takes a deep breath. “It’s such a nice day today,” she says, looking from the kids up to me. “Thunderstorms later though. After we put Sofia to bed, how about we curl up in front of the fireplace and listen to it.”

“Don’t double jump your cousin, Mia,” I hear Eamon shout in the background, but there are enough eyes on the little ones I don’t take my gaze away from Cal.

“I remember when you were terrified of those.” I lean forward and place a kiss between her brows. “That sounds nice.”

“Charlotte is bringing the pies this year, just in case.”

I chuckle. “Good call. The Wildhart Hollow couple can’t be trusted. You’d think one of them could cook.”

She laughs, and I can’t believe how happy it makes me, even now. “Leave them be. Ayden can, he just can’t bake.”

“And his stepbrother’s excuse?” I jest.

“Don’t call him that! Sheesh! You are so bad, Ronan.”

She smacks my arm, and I give her a sly wink.

“Other than the pie, Starlight Peak better not be bringing anything else over.” I groan. “No more toys, please.”

She giggles. “It’s his way of apologizing… also, why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Call them by their cabin names? You know they have names, baby.”

“It’s just fun that way.” Peeking quickly to see Sofia staring and then waving at us. Both Cal and I raise our hand, gesture back. “Also, how do you know it’s for ‘apologizing’ purposes, baby girl?”

“I’m resourceful…” I look back down at her. “Okay, okay, Evelyn...”

Rolling my eyes I sigh. “Of course, Echo Ridge. You know, you’d think with a profession like hers, she would be the least likely to gossip.”

She swats my chest, causing me to chuckle. “And…” She turns to wrap her arms around my waist. “Mia and Amy both agreed to watch Sof for our anniversary. I got the time off... So, you know what that means, right? I’m booking the cruise.”

I grin. “What if I can’t get the time off?”

She rolls her eyes. “Alright, self-employee.”

We chuckle together. “Our fans will be so disappointed with us going on such a long break. It’s a good thing they are so dedicated to us, and that we have so many babysitters to give us our camera time.”

“ Your fanbase. What are you up to now, two-point-three million subscribers?”

Squeezing her tighter to my chest, I give her a coy, innocent smile. “They may come for me, but oh how jealous they are of your beautiful—”

Her face turns a bright shade of red as she swats my chest again, cutting me off. “Ronan Sanderson!”

“Yes, wife?”

When she bites her lip, dear god, I have to remember we are in a public place that I do not want to give a viewing to. “I love when you call me that, husband. ”

“Daddy is better for me,” I jest, leaning down and placing a brief kiss against her lips. “Cruise sounds perfect, my love.”

“Cal!” The last of our family we were waiting for shouts, and she eagerly turns to face her best friend.

“Gene!”

It took some time, but after a year of being apart, Genevieve reached out to Calista to rekindle their friendship. I was grateful, because I could tell it weighed on my girl more than she wanted to admit. Nearly two years later is when we had Sofia. To say that she was glad her friend could be with her during that time, is an understatement.

That isn’t the same for her mother. I won’t say it aloud, and that woman hasn’t been brought up since Sof was born, but I’m glad she stayed out of my Cal’s life. She’s far happier and safer—which is the most important thing.

I release my wife to greet Gene, just as her husband circles around holding a baby carrier.

Sometimes I still find myself thinking I’ll wake and all of this will be a dream. Or I truly died that day in the cabin, and Calista took her own life to be with me in a place only described as Paradise.

It could be the latter of those, but as long as I don’t wake up or my life changes, I’m okay with that.

This is the life I’ve deserved and will keep it safe until I stop breathing.

“Dad!”

Turning, I watch as Sofia jumps from the trampoline and rushes toward me. I kneel down just enough for her to jump into my arms, attaching herself to me like a koala, and I’m the tree.

“Yes, Munchkin?”

“Uncle Eamon told me boys are gross.”

“We don’t agree on much…” I put my hand on the back of her head and smother her cheek with kisses before continuing, “But that I do agree with.”

Her giggles echo as I turn us back toward her mom. “Auntie Gene is here with your cousin, go say hi.”

“Okay! Love you, Dad.”

“Love you, too, Sof.” I place her back down and she runs off.

The moment she makes it to Cal’s side, her mom puts her hand onto her head and turns her gaze back to me. That bright, beautiful smile that I love telling me all I ever need to hear.

She’s happy, and I’m glad I could make her so.

Thank you, Cal, for bearing my heavy and lifting it where I couldn’t.

The End.