Page 52 of Wake Me Up (New England Bay Sharks #5)

I stand in the large field, surrounded by acres upon acres of apple trees.

My heart is pounding, and I didn’t realize how sweaty my palms were until a few minutes ago, when Aviana pulled her hand from mine and told me my hand was sweaty and that it was grossing her out.

The kid was trying to be nice, holding my hand to calm me down, because I know she could sense that I was nervous, but then I went and grossed her out.

“I don’t get why you’re nervous,” Cane says, judging the shit out of me. “You’re already married to my mom.”

“He’s nervous because this time, her kids are going to be here, ding-dong,” Aviana says, coming to my defense … sort of. “And because he’s afraid she’s going to hate this land and he just bought it for her a few days ago. No takesies-backsies.”

“She’s going to obviously like it,” he scoffs. “Look at it!”

Freya’s SUV suddenly appears, pulling into the dirt driveway.

Though I’m sure she can’t see us yet because we’re shielded by the apple trees.

Watching her drive closer only has my heart beating harder.

She eventually parks, no doubt confused why Cash led her here to a friend’s house, only to find an abandoned field.

Cash was obviously in on the secret, but I know he’d sell it to his mom like they were really headed for him to go to his friend’s place.

When Cash convinces her to get out of the car—just like me and the other two kids talked about—that’s when we all step into view.

The confusion on Freya’s face can be seen all the way over here, but reluctantly, she follows Cash toward us.

Cane and Aviana trail me to her, and we all meet in the middle.

Freya looks around, holding her hands out at her sides. “Where the heck are we? Don’t tell me that after all this time, you’re an axe murderer, and this is your site to bury bodies.”

“Maybe.” I look around at the kids, putting my hand on the top of Cane’s head. “Nah. I’m kidding.”

One look at Freya, and I’m fucking nervous that I’m going to let her down. All I’ve ever wanted is to be perfect for her because of everything she’s been through.

I drag in a shaky breath, feeling the sweat bead on my forehead before I reach for her hands. Today, I’m giving her the anniversary she deserves.

“It’s been a year since we got married. A year since I met you at the pier and twenty-four hours later, the knot was tied. A year of getting to know you better while also feeling like I’ve known you my entire life.”

Freya’s eyes well with tears, but I still have more to say. My entire life, I’ve kept my feelings inside. But for her, I know it’s okay to let them out.

I glance around at her kids, who stand around us, and now it’s my eyes that are glossy.

“A year of getting to know your kids, learning their favorite things—or least favorite things. A year of finding out that Cane can throw a mean curveball, sleepwalks at least three times a month, and almost always takes the garbage out even though no one even asks him to. A year of watching Cash grow into one helluva a goalie, be weirdly on time for everything, and help Avy with her math homework anytime she needs it.” My eyes find Aviana’s—one of the strongest kids I’ve ever known.

“A year of hearing Ave tell jokes that are funnier than either of her brothers’, watching her learn to bake like her mom, and most of all … be seizure-free.”

When I look at Freya again, her cheeks are soaked, and she’s sniffling.

“A year isn’t a long time, I’ve learned.

Because while a lot happens in a year, it’s not nearly enough time to learn everything about you and your kids for me.

It’ll never be enough time.” I swallow. “When we got married, the three most important people in your life weren’t able to be there.

But now, a year later, I wanted to make sure they were.

I love you, Freya. And I’ll never stop being grateful that you shared such a big piece of yourself with me. You shared your kids.”

“Tripp,” she squeaks through a sob, “that was beautiful.” She looks at her kids before gazing at the field. “Why are we here though?”

I look down at Aviana, who shares the same grin as me before I cup Freya’s cheeks.

“We’re here because you told me that you always dreamed of one day owning a place where you could have a bakery with apple picking in the fall and strawberry picking in the summer—a whole-ass farm for people to come and visit.

” Releasing her, I take her hand and spin her around to look at the field.

“Well, baby, here’s your spot.” I point to the far left.

“It can be whatever you want it to be. It’s yours. ”

Her hands fly to her mouth, and she weeps. “You bought this for me?”

“You and our kids,” I say, knowing that even though they aren’t biologically mine … I love them just as if they were. “You deserve to have all your dreams come true. I hope you know that.”

“Are you serious?” she sobs, her shoulders shrugging. “You remembered that?”

“You’re my wife. I remember everything when it comes to you, Freya,” I tell her honestly.

When she leaps into my arms, hugging me tightly, the kids all gather round us, clapping before, finally, we’re enveloped in a family group hug.

Because that’s exactly what we are. Family.

I don’t care that they don’t have my last name, and I don’t mind that I wasn’t her first love.

What I care about is that I get the chance to be there for them through this life.

I get the opportunity to make sure their lives are filled with as much happiness as I can provide, and I’m not going to fuck it up.

Everyone’s idea of family is different—that’s true. But for me … it doesn’t get any more real than this right here. And I have everything I never even knew I needed.