Page 84 of Mine to Keep

“No way,” he says. “Gimme. I wanna taste.”

I pop the bottle, and after letting it breathe for a moment, I pour them some. After they both sniff the wine, they take a sip.

Talon’s eyes grow wide. “Wow. That’s good. Not worth three grand, but good.” He drains his glass and slides it over to me for more.

Javier nods and finishes his glass as well. “Not worth three thousand dollars at all. My dad had some that cost less than a hundred dollars that was the best I’ve ever had.”

I give them both a deadpan look. “So does that mean you don’t want the three other bottles I brought for you?”

Talon shakes his head, his curly ponytail bouncing. “We didn’t saythat. We just said it’s not worth three grand, Daddy.”He sips at his second glass, humming as the cool liquid slides down his throat.

I look at the both of them, thinking about how, just six months ago, I didn’t know if we’d last. When I came to get them, they were still afraid of me, looking at me with wary eyes. I was afraid that in the time we were apart, they’d come to their senses and realize they could do better than me, they’d besaferwith someone else that wasn’t me.

I had to earn their love again, Every day, I make sure to show them how much I love them and how I want nothing more than to take care of them. Thankfully, they let me.

“I love you two, you know that right?” I say past a sudden lump in my throat.

They both look at me with soft eyes. Talon walks over and plants himself on my lap, hugging me close. “We love you too, Koda.”

“You don’t ever have to question if we love you,” Javier says, reaching out his free hand to me. I grab it and drag him over and set him on my other knee. He wraps his arm around my neck and smiles down at me before smiling over at Talon. “And I love you to the moon and back, T.”

Talon blushes. “I love you too, Javi.” He looks down at me. “This is forever, right? The three of us?”

“Forever, little one,” I say, kissing him slowly. “Forever, baby boy,” I say to Javier and kiss him too.

We lean back against my chair, Talon and Javier telling me about their plans for the week. I listen to them, letting their voices wash over me.

When I was a kid in foster care, this is what I wanted—love, a family, a sense of contentment I’ve never felt before. Now that I have it, I’ll never let it go.

These boys are mine to keep.

Forever.

THE END