“Yeah.” He smiles. “It’s all sparkled up too.”

  “Grams?”

  “No, that was Emma and Lucy.” I smile knowing they had their part in this. Jay is right; Emma is protective of me, and of my girls. “They helped me pick out all the decorations, and Emma insisted it be princess themed. I’ve never seen so many sparkly things all in one place.”

  “You’re incredible,” I confess, smiling when Riley finds the matching tiny recliners in the corner with a reading lamp in between. “Everything, all the little details, it’s too much.” I try not to cry, but it’s almost impossible to hold it all back.

  “Baby, this is just the beginning.” Jay moves in closer and kisses the corner of my mouth. “All I want is for the three of you to be happy.”

  “We are,” I confess, leaning myself in closer to him, nuzzling him as he places his arm around me and holds me tightly to him.

  Together we watch the girls, until we move out into the hallway and go back downstairs leaving them alone to enjoy their new space.

  I’m not sure they’ll ever want to leave.

  “They are so beautiful, Zoey,” Alice Lincoln says as she sits in the rocker next to me and stares out in the backyard. Riley and Regan are climbing the rock wall and giggling as they look over their shoulders at Jay. He’s standing guard, with his hands outstretched like he’s afraid they’ll fall and wants to make sure he’s there to catch them if they do.

  “All Michael ever wanted for him and for Mattie was for them to find love. He wanted them to build a family and experience the real joys of life.” I look over to find Alice watching Jayson, her eyes shining with tears. “I’m so happy to have him back here. To have him and Mattie in Magnolia Grove with me. I’ll always miss Michael and no day will ever feel completely whole but having them here, it eases the ache. The both of them are my joy, the way they look out for me and make sure I have all I need. What they don’t realize is they are the best parts of my days.”

  “You’re a big part of his too,” I assure her, reaching out to place my hand over hers and offering a gentle squeeze.

  Together we sit in silence watching as my girls and Jay run around playing together. He gets right in there with them, laughing and playing along. It’s the most adorable thing I have ever seen.

  I lift my phone, recording them for a minute then send the video to both Lucy and Emma in a chat.

  Me: My current view.

  Lucy: Aww!

  Emma: That’s incredible!

  The disagreement Emma and I had last week was short lived. After a few beers that night, I was crying on her shoulder, and we were dancing in the middle of Rivers End, until the guys practically carried us out.

  “Hello,” the sounds of a woman’s voice echoes across the yard and both Alice and I turn and look in the direction is came from. “Are you out here?” Suddenly Charlotte and Daniel Lincoln appear around the side of the house and my stomach instantly drops.

  His mother isn’t the friendliest person, and his father is of very few words. Charlotte spends more time looking down her nose at others than offering any kind of friendly conversation.

  “What do we have here?” she asks and immediately I am standing, walking in the direction of the steps toward my daughters.

  “Riley and Regan,” Jay states proudly as if his mother’s wrinkled up nose doesn’t even phase him. “These two are my best buds, my princesses.” They each move in, hugging his legs, and his mother says nothing.

  Until she sees me step into the picture and its like it all falls into place.

  “Zoey.” She nods, but I can tell she’s finding it difficult to hold onto her words.

  “I should get them inside and get them cleaned up.” I motion for the girls to join me and they release Jay’s legs and take my hands.

  “Do we get to shower in our new princess bathroom?” I swear I hear a gasp, but instead of acknowledging her dislike, I continue to lead my girls inside as they carry on excitedly about their new bathroom and their bedroom, filled with all their new things.

  thirty-three

  . . .

  Jayson

  “Did I just hear that little girl say her bathroom and bedroom?” my mother asks as I gather up the yard toys scattered around the playhouse. After throwing them all into an oversized tote, I place the lid on top and then open the storage shed, setting it inside.

  “Jayson,” she says my name, and I turn around to find her with her hands on her hips staring at me.

  “What?”

  “Do they live here?”

  “Not yet, but I hope they will one day.” Her face contorts into a displeased frown. “I’d move them in here tonight if they’d agree to it.”

  “Those children are not your responsibility,” she declares, and I look past her shoulders ensuring Zoey and the girls are safely inside. “I just think you need to rethink this. Taking on someone else’s mistakes can be a burden. You are still young, there’s times to meet a nice girl, who doesn’t have a suitcase full of problems they’ve brought along.”

  “Are you done now?” I ask her, seeing Grams has now joined us. My father of course, stands back allowing his wife to lead. He has no opinions and if he does, he chooses to tuck them someplace safe.

  “I don’t mean to be harsh.”

  I don’t know what comes over me but I laugh. “Please Charlie, you’re always harsh.”

  “My name is not Charlie,” she snips, and I think of Mattie and how he loves to dig at her. I never saw the joy into it until now.

  “There is no reason to be mean simply because you don’t like what I have to say.”

  “You’re at my home, and one day soon I hope it will be their home too. I don’t remember inviting you or asking what you thought of my choices.”

  “So, I have to be invited to visit my son’s home now?”

  “When you show up and decide to criticize me and speak ill of the woman I love and the girls who may not be my blood but are mine in every way that matters…” I pause.

  “Oh Jayson.” She shakes her head and appears as though she is about to say more, but I stop her.

  “I think you should head back to the bed and breakfast, or wherever it is your staying.” Grams stands at my side, obviously showing where her loyalties lie, and I want to reach out and hug my sweet little grandmother. She has always been on mine and Mattie’s sides no matter what.

  My mother stares at me, and I stare right back. When she realizes I have no intentions of changing my mind, she huffs, spins around, and storms off toward the direction they’d come from. My father offers me a nod. “It truly is beautiful home, Jay.” Poor man has no mind of his own. He is like a robot, always doing what he can to please a woman who I swear can never be truly happy. It’s sad because Charlotte Lincoln is missing out on such a beautiful family.

  “I will never understand that woman,” Grams says as they disappear around the side of the house. I gave up so long ago.” She links her arm through mine. “But she’s wrong,” she adds. “Those beautiful souls inside are not burdens, they are gifts.”

  I couldn’t agree more, as we walk together arm in arm into the house and close the doors behind us.

  Instantly I can hear the laughter filtering down the stairs just before two angels find their way to the kitchen. Smiling, both wearing princess pajamas and carrying the same giraffes they are always carrying.

  “Mommy said we can make popcorn and watch a movie.” Riley bounces on her tip toes in front of me. Regan rubs her eyes, indicating she is tired and I reach down picking her up. She lays her head over onto my shoulder just as Zoey enters the kitchen and finds us.

  “I hope that’s okay?” I don’t like the doubt in her voice. I don’t like the shift in her mood, as if she is no longer feeling settled and comfortable.

  “Of course it is.” I run my fingers through Riley’s hair. “What movie are we watching tonight?”

  My stomach tightens with worry as I watch Zoey, who continues to focus on the girls. She slowly moves around the kitchen, walking over to her bag to pull out a bag of microwave popcorn, she’d packed and brought with her. Tearing at the bag, she walks toward the microwave and places it inside.

  “Princess and the Frog,” Riley announces.

  “I want to watch Mermaid,” Regan whines, and I can’t help but smile remembering how Zoey had pointed out not so long ago that it’s not always rainbows and smiles. I can’t help but think maybe this is one of those times where it’s cloudy and dark.

  “No!” Riley literally stomps her feet. “I don’t like the Mermaid.”

  “Girls.” Zoey moves in closer, leaning over to rest her elbows on the counter. “We have to compromise.”

  “I don’t want to compimise,” Riley places her hands on her hips and challenges her mother. I’m amazed as I stand and watch this unfold.

  “That attitude is not going to help you get your way.” The two of them share some kind of stare down, neither refusing to backdown. “In fact it’s going to get you a one-way ticket to bed, without a movie or a story.”

  “We can watch her movie.” Riley pouts and Regan yawns as she curls in deeper.

  “I’m not sure this one is going to make it past the opening credits,” I whisper, and Zoey smiles looking at Regan who is practically sleeping in my arms.

  “How about we turn on the Disney channel and watch whatever is on,” Zoey offers. “It’s late and you both played outside all day. I know you’re sleepy and we have Gigi’s birthday party tomorrow. I want the two of you to be rested and happy for the celebration.”

  This seems to please them and they both agree before we make our way to the living room.

  All four of us find a comfortable spot. Regan crawls up onto my lap and lays her head on my chest. I swear it feels like my heart swells in my chest and I bury my nose in her hair and breathe her in.

  I’m woken what feels like a few minutes later from the feeling of Regan being lifted off my lap.

  “I got her,” I insist as I start to sit up.

  “Are you sure?” Zoey leans back and that’s when I look to the space Riley was.

  “I took her up already,” she answers my question without me even asking it.

  “Okay. “I scoot forward, standing and lifting Regan with me, while pulling her in closer to my body. Her little arm wraps tightly around my neck.

  When I make it to the stairs, I see Zoey slip into the kitchen carrying the empty bowl of popcorn and two cups.

  Getting Regan settled in her new bed, I tuck the covers up and around her and double check on Riley, doing the same. After placing a kiss on each of their foreheads, I flip on the nightlight and then the small light above the bathroom sink. I want to make sure they don’t get up in the middle of the night and bump into things. This is the first night for them staying over, and I guess a huge part of me wants it to be perfect for them. I want them to love it here, as much as I love having them here.

  Stepping out into the hallway, I gently pull the door almost closed, leaving it slightly cracked.

  I can hear the distant sounds of Zoey moving around in the kitchen, and I pause, loving how it feels to know all three of them are here with me.

  As I step off the last step and peek around the wall, I see her staring out the backdoor into the yard. Her arms are crossed over her chest, and I know that stance. It’s the same one she got when I saw here in the funeral home, or when I ran into her again as she was taking the girls to Sugar Rush. She’s lost in thought, worried, fearful even.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Her body jumps in reaction to the sound of my voice and she looks back over her shoulder.

  “Nothing.” I instantly know she is lying. She’s unable to look me directly in the eyes and she’s biting nervously on her lower lip.

  Joining her by the backdoor, I look out into the yard and see the moon’s reflection highlighted on the water. A single dock, with a long path leading out to the water and a circular ending, enough space to sit on and hang your feet in the water.

  We both remain quiet, and my chest feels tight.

  “You heard, didn’t you?”

  “She’s not lying.” Zoey doesn’t look at me, and I try not to let the irritation her avoidance causes overtake me. “They aren’t your responsibility.”

  I twist my neck, cracking it. Feeling the tension build and trying my best not to react.

  “My girls are my girls. You shouldn’t have to feel like you need to buy them things and give them their own room.”

  My patience snaps and I grip her elbow, opening the door to lead her outside.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m not doing this in there, where they might overhear. You wanna say these things, you want to fight against us because of something my mother said. A woman that has barely been a part of my life since birth, go ahead. If it’ll make you feel better to say all this shit and create a hundred new reasons why we shouldn’t do this, fine, do it.”

  I hold out my hands as if to say the floor is open.

  “What do you want me to say?”

  "You had so much weighing on your mind only seconds ago, so have at it. Let me hear it. But I won’t stand in there and risk the chance of Riley or Regan overhearing this bullshit.”

  “It’s the truth.”

  “Are you blind,” I ask, realizing how harsh it sounds but unable to pull back the frustration I feel. “I know those girls aren’t my responsibility, I never once felt like you were pushing them on me. I’ve been the one chasing, I’ve been the guy trying my hardest to get any amount of time with the three of you I can get.”

  I feel a few raindrops hit my head but I don’t care.

  Zoey wipes at her forehead and then turns toward the door when I step in front of her to block her path. The rain increases, and she looks up to the sky as a few bigger drops hit her cheeks.

  “You know I’m right, and that’s why you’re upset.” She redirects her attention, her gaze connecting with mine. “You could find a nice girl, who hasn’t been married, who doesn’t have kids, and you could build a family with her.”

  I stare at her, noticing the shiny glimmer in her eyes. She’s saying these things but I know her well enough to understand that inside, she’s hurting. Hearing my mother speak the way she did. Hearing her bring attention to the fact Riley and Regan are not my daughters and somehow Zoey is playing house, pushing them on me, hit something deep within her. But none of that could be farther from the truth.

  “I don’t want another girl.” My throat feels like it’s on fire. “I may not have made those two girls but they are mine. I love them like they’re mine. I don’t care if they share my blood, because they hold my fucking heart, all three of you do.”

  Zoey lowers her gaze, looking toward her feet. The rain is coming down harder still, and at this point the two of us are standing there, on the back deck, our clothes sticking to our skin.

  thirty-four

  . . .

  Zoey

  “What are we doing?”

  “What do you mean, what are we doing?” I can tell Jay is irritated with me, but I feel what I feel, and to have his mother voice her opinions freely and loudly for anyone to hear, hit me harder than I thought it could. I was angry and hurt, like he felt my children would somehow ruin his life.

  “This,” I clarify, “us, now, what are we doing?”

  Jayson lifts his hand and drags his palm over his face, “Damn it Zoey, I thought I made it so clear.” He shakes his head. “We’re building a life. I am trying to give you something you’ve never had.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “A man who adores you!” His voice echoes over the yard. “A man who would give anything to wake up with you and those girls every single day.”

  “Even if your mother hates the idea?”

  “I don’t give a shit what she likes or dislikes. She’s shown very little interest in my life, the only time she voices an opinion is when she disagrees.” Jay reaches out and links his hand with mine. “Grams, her opinion is the one that matters most, and you should know she adores the three of you. She loves the idea of Riley and Regan being in my life and in hers. That woman is already seeing wedding bells and more babies in our future and I love her visions.” He pulls me in closer to him. “Her visions are the same ones I have when I think of us. I want all if it, and I want it with you.”

  He moves in faster than I can register and cups the back of my neck. Pulling my mouth to his, his lips crash to mine.

  My body melts into his and he fists my wet hair.

  “Stop fighting this.” He seethes into our kiss. “You and I, and those girls, we are a family. Accept that!”

  He doesn’t give me a chance to speak or argue before he kisses me once again. Suddenly my back is being pressed to the glass panel of the back door, as he searches out the handle.

  “I love you.” His words tickle my lips. “You’re mine, Zoey, and those girls they’re mine too.”

  Jay’s voice is low and demanding. “We are doing this. No one and nothing is going to stop us from happening.”

  We stumble inside.

  “Will you please just let me love you.” He grips my face, forcing me to see him. “I wish more than anything that I never let you go all those years ago, and now that I have you back,” his forehead rests to mine, “I don’t want to go back to my life without you.”

  “I just don’t want you to regret choosing us.” Tears fill my eyes.

  “I would never regret my girls.” He smiles, moving in to kiss my lips once more. With his hands around my waist he lifts me and I wrap my legs around his waist.

  Carrying me toward the stairs, he climbs them, not once letting me go. Holding onto him, like he is my lifeline and in a way he is. Everything felt like it was falling apart slowly until he showed back up in my life. Frankly, at first, I felt like him being here was only another evil plan to remind me of everything I’d lost.