Page 16 of Summer Kisses (Kissing Junction, TX #8)

Eleven Years Later

The last eleven years have gone by in a blur.

Donnie and I have six wonderful children.

I started King Fashion right after I graduated from school.

I have Twelve wonderful ladies that I employ.

I love making cute maternity clothes for plus size women.

There is a big market for that and once I set up my online clothing store I have had orders coming in nonstop.

Once I gave birth to David I started working less at the shop and more at home.

Donnie had a huge workshop built off the side of the house for me to work on my stuff.

Donnie retired from the station five years ago and has loved staying at home with us.

Truth be told I have a huge weight lifted off of me now that he is not at a dangerous job.

I fix my dress and head up to Victoria's room.

Today my baby girl is graduating high school and going off to college in California.

I can't stop myself from crying. I am so proud of her, but I don't know what I am going to do with her out of the house, living so far away. I knock on the door .

“Come in mom.” I walk in and give her a watery smile.

“How did you know it was me?”

“Because you have been hovering over the door for the last four minutes.” I sit on her bed looking at the picture on the side of her bed it's of me and her when she was just a little girl and I burst into tears. God, I'm such a mess.

“Mom, you have to stop crying. Everything is going to be okay.” Victoria says as she finishes her makeup.

“My baby is graduating today, how am I supposed to act.” I ask standing up wiping my eyes. “You look so beautiful sweetheart I am so proud of you.” She turns from the mirror and holds me close.

“Thank you for making my dress.”

“Your welcome baby it looks amazing on you. Are you sure you have to move all the way to California? You can just stay home you know.” I say only half joking

“Mom we have gone over this. I promise I will come back for fall and Christmas break plus we can Facetime like every day.”

“You better. Your dad may be acting all tough, but I know he is sad to see his baby leave the nest.”

Donnie clears his throat and we pull apart smiling at each other.

“Come on girls. It's time to go. I have the boys in the car.” He says while holding a car seat in his hand. Our two-month-old daughter is sleeping in it. We sniffle. I lean in, kissing her on the cheek.

“Are you sure you don't want to ride with us?” I ask walking over to Donnie.

“Mom, I'm eighteen. I can drive myself, besides the boys are going to try and drive me crazy.” She says rolling her eyes, coming over to give me and her father one last hug and kiss. “Love your faces I’ll see you there.”

“Okay drive safe. ”

“Duh.” She says under her breath.

Donnie and I walk out to the car where our four boys are. I can see them roughhousing through the front window but as soon as they see us they sit back down acting like nothing was happening. Finally, we are all situated and, in the car, heading to the stadium for graduation.

“Ma, why are you crying again?” David, our ten-year-old asks looking at me with concern.

“Because she always cries. That's what girls do.” Lance, our seven-year-old says making a face. Ronny, our four-year-old looks at them in confusion

“Mommy sad?” Our two-year-old, Xander, looks at me through the rearview mirror his little lip quivering.

“No baby. Mommy isn't sad, she is very happy.”

“Then why are you crying?” Ronny asks.

“They are happy tears.”

The boys look at me in confusion before David tilts his head. “How can you cry happy?”

“Yeah, mom that’s not how it works.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Yes, it does. Just ask your father he’ll tell you.” Donnie gives me a panicked look then looks at the boys.

“We’ll talk about it when we get home.”

The rest of the day was perfect. We all went out to a nice dinner celebrating Victoria's big day then she went off with her friends and we took the boys out for ice cream because they had been so good during the ceremony.

By the time we get home, it's bedtime. Donnie gets the boys ready while I feed Heather.

Donnie comes in as soon as I am done. He kisses me on my forehead.

“Go lay down Sunshine I’ll get her to bed.”

“Mmkay.” I say with a yawn. I kiss his cheek. He grabs me around the waist and kisses me soundly. When he pulls back, he gives my butt a little smack .

“I love you Sunshine.”

“I love you too, D.” I walk out of the room and head for ours.

As soon as I get there I shut the door and strip, walking into our adjoining bathroom.

I quickly shower and brush my teeth. When I walk out of the bathroom, I put on one of Donnie's old Kissing Junction FD shirts and a pair of silky shorts then crawl into bed.

Sighing, I sink down into the comfy bed.

I know Heather will be up in a couple hours, so I soak in the comfort while I can.

I don't know how much time has passed but when I feel Donnie get into bed beside me and pull me close, I sigh in contentment, yet again, and fall asleep with a smile on my face.

I can honestly say that I couldn't be happier with the way my life turned out. It hasn't always been rainbows and sunshine and we have definitely had our ups and downs but my happily ever after is more than I could've ever dreamed of.

The End