“Okay.” I say it with finality. Do I want to cringe at him paying? Yes. But also, it feels good to think that he is taking care of me. Taking care of us. Just like the ‘yes’ last night to Cliff. I’ve studied the position. I’ve asked the questions. I’ve looked at the data. And I’ve made my conclusion.
“Okay, then. It’s settled.” He knocks the table once as he sits back in his chair, as if he’s just banged the gavel that declares this is who we are now. Two people who fell madly in love over a comet. Four people who have decided that their lives are better with each other in them, even though it’s messy.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
EPILOGUE
Holly
“Happy Christmas Kringle Comet Day!” Cliff shouts as he enters the house, throws down his coat and kicks off his snow boots. Todd’s at the kitchen table beside me, working on winter break chemistry homework. He just snorts and rolls his eyes.
I get up and pour Cliff a cup of hot chocolate out of the thermos as I ask, “Hey, how was sledding? And what is Christmas Kringle Comet Day?” Did I miss another made-up school holiday? It’s been a year of topsy-turvy learning curves, and I’ve mostly nailed it. But I’ve definitely missed a few things.
“It’s the anniversary of your comet! We should celebrate. I was thinking cake!” He throws his body at the table to grab the mug. Todd snaps at him not to jiggle the table. And I stand there, frozen in time, staring at my watch, hoping the boys don’t see the tears in my eyes.
Has it really been a year?
Yes, it has!
“Well then, after you do your homework, we’ll make a cake.” I pretend not to notice that Todd gives Cliff a high-five. He may bea surly teen, but he is smart enough to show appreciation when his brother wins them cake.
“Do I have to do my homework? It doesn’t have to get turned in until next year.” He says with strong emphasis.
“I know,” I say as I get out a mixing bowl to prep. “But if you do it now, then you don’t have to think about it anymore, and we can enjoy the next two weeks together. How’s that sound?”
“Promise?”
“Promise,” I say, holding out my pinky for him. It glints with the gold of a small ring, a kid-drawn comet etched across it. They had it custom-made for me for my birthday this year.
“Did you get all your homework done, too?” Cliff asks with one eyebrow raised in suspicion.
“As a matter of fact, that’s what I was doing while I helped Todd with the last of his chemistry assignment. I have three more essays to grade, and one article to write. I purposefully made sure that my workload would be lighter this holiday break.
Semi-satisfied, Cliff drags his backpack over and pulls out a folder with his homework. Together, he and Todd munch on veggies and cookies—it’s called balance—and I sit across from them to finish my grading.
By the time we can smell the chocolate cake baking, Jack is home. And we’re together. Our little family.
While the boys play video games and I make dinner, I tell Jack about Cliff’s anniversary declaration. “Well, of course,” he says in a low voice as he wraps his arms around my waist while I chop veggies for the lasagna. “He’s a romantic, like his dad.” That makes me laugh so hard I have to set my knife down.
And it’s true, Jack Noel is a romantic, but he’s a very understated romantic. He would never hold a sign up in Times Square declaring his love for me. But he will make me breakfast in bed. Buy us a townhome near campus and move us all in without a complaint, even though it means giving up his big ranch home. Anna and Hans live in it now, so it’s still in the family.
He makes sure the boys are thriving in their new schools and sports and robotics team, and he shows up to every game. Jack was the one who suggested matching tattoos—comets with the official name, C/2022 X1 Comet, etched underneath, with the lat and long and the date. His runs the length of his forearm—not hiding it from anybody. Mine is more discreet, but only because of teaching.
“You’re right. He does get his romanticism from you.” I turn to kiss him, but he steps away from me to pull something out of his pocket.
“Boys!” he yells. There’s a clatter of plastic onto the floor and scrambling feet as they hustle to the kitchen. Weird. Normally, there’s at least one “Five more minutes!”, but not tonight.
As soon as they slide to a stop, Jack drops to one knee and opens the little box in his hand. “Dr. Holly Doughty, before I met you, I had a hole in my heart that I ignored. It made me grumpy and unavailable to my kids. You not only filled that hole with love, but you brightened all our lives with your laughter, your zest, and your science facts. Will you please make me officially the happiest man alive by being my wife?”
There are no words. My face is too busy crying to say anything. I nod vigorously, standing there dumbstruck. The boys both shout out and dance around us in a silly wild dance. Jack stands, puts the ring on my hand, and pulls me close for a hug.Both boys tackle, smashing us into a dog pile group of mushy love. It’s perfect.
Later, in the dark of our room, I take the ring off to put on lotion, then place it back on my finger. It’s heavy, and I’ve managed to poke myself with the diamond three times tonight, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
I rather thought the pinky ring was all I needed. I knew he was devoted. That he loved me. And I didn’t want to intrude on his and Todd’s memories of Becca, or try to take her place. They both reassured me tonight that I wasn’t. Both boys want me to be their bonus mom. Cliff even said, “Goodnight, Mom,” making fresh tears start as I tucked him in and shut the door behind me.
“You smell good,” Jack murmurs as I crawl into bed beside him. I answer him with a kiss. Deep, passionate.
“Say it again,” I demand, slightly breathless, once I pull away. His hands never leave my hips, where they hold me close.
