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I love it. I might even love Breanna.
Chapter twenty-seven
Breanna
Six months later
The sun is setting, casting a warm golden glow over the backyard where Harrison, Jaxon, and I sit together on a blanket spread out on the grass. Jaxon is nestled between us, his head resting on Harrison's shoulder as he munches on a chocolate chip cookie.
One day, Jaxon decided he wanted chocolate chip cookies, so I searched a bunch of recipes on the internet. After trying out three of them, he picked his favorite. That’s the recipe I’ve been making ever since.
I lean back against Harrison, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek. It's moments like these that make me realize just how far we've come, how much we've grown together as a family.
As we watch the sky turn from orange to pink to purple, I can't help but marvel at the beauty of it all. This, right here, is what happiness feels like.
Jaxon, of course, only stays seated for as long as his chocolate chip cookie lasts. Then, he’s up and zooming around the backyard, giving Harrison and I a few private moments to talk.
It’s not like we don’t get private time, but most of it is after Jaxon goes to sleep. It helps now that I live here and share a bed with Harrison.
After he went through all the trouble of paying off my house and helping me organize how to pay off my parents’ credit card bills, I then sold the house. I just didn’t see a point in keeping it.
I tried to give the money from the sale to Harrison, as a way of paying back most of the money he had given me, but he wouldn’t accept it. So now, I have a hefty chunk of change sitting in my bank account.
I like it there. It gives me the assurance that I can go anywhere I want whenever I want. I have autonomy again.
"So, any big plans for tomorrow?" Harrison asks, his hand stroking my thigh as we watch the setting sun.
I take a sip of my hot chocolate, relishing its warmth as it spreads through me. Fall has hit hard and fast, and I’ve brought out the hot chocolate early. "Not really," I reply with a shrug. "Just the usual routine—taking care of Jaxon, running some errands, maybe catching up on some reading. Jaxon has actually enjoyed listening to chapter books now."
Harrison nods, reaching for my hand and threading his fingers through mine. "Sounds like a relaxing day," he says with a smile. "I envy you sometimes, being able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. I have some difficult patients, and…”
I study Harrison in the fading light as he shakes his head. I understand a lot more about him than I did when I first started working for him, but there are still times when I have no idea what’s running through his mind.
I chuckle, shaking my head. "Believe me, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. You’ve seen the temper Jaxon has. I have no idea where he got it from," I tease, squeezing Harrison’s hand. "But I do enjoy the quiet moments, especially when I get to spend them with you and Jaxon."
Harrison's smile widens, and he leans forward, kissing me on the forehead. "I feel the same way," he says softly. "You and Jaxon bring so much joy into my life."
I squeeze his hand gently, feeling a warmth spread through me at his words. "I'm glad we can be here for you," I reply sincerely. "And I'm grateful for everything you do for us."
Harrison's gaze softens, and he leans forward, pressing another tender kiss to my forehead. "You're welcome," he murmurs, his voice filled with emotion. "I would do anything for you and Jaxon."
I smile up at him, feeling a rush of affection for this man who has become such an important part of my life. "I know," I say softly. "And I appreciate it more than you'll ever know."
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, simply enjoying each other's company. It's moments like these—simple, ordinary moments—that make me realize how lucky I am to have Harrison and Jaxon in my life.
"Look, Breanna!" Jaxon exclaims, pointing up at the sky. "It's a shooting star!"
I follow his gaze and see a streak of light dart across the heavens.
"Make a wish, champ," Harrison calls out.
Jaxon closes his eyes tightly, his face scrunched up in concentration, bouncing up and down as though he can’t stop moving unless he’s asleep. "I wish for us to be together forever," he declares, his voice filled with hope.
Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes, and I try to discreetly wipe at them. "That's a wonderful wish, sweetheart," I murmur as Jaxon bounces over.
“You’re not supposed to say your wish out loud,” Harrison teases his son, letting go of me to grab Jaxon and swing him upside down.
“Why not?” Jaxon asks, all wide-eyed.
