Page 224 of Mr. Unexpected

We sit there hand in hand, the whole performance, without him even trying to escape my hold.

Maybe it’s because we’re in the dark, and no one can see.

Either way, I’ll take anything he gives.

Baby steps.

We’re waiting backstage for my angel, and I spot her before anyone else.

She’s gorgeous—the spitting image of Camila, with the delicate air of Juliette.

With her head held high, she looks around until she sees our large group. Her smile stretches over her face, and she waves excitedly.

Every bone in my body wants to open my arms for her, but I have finally given up the idea that she wants to see me first. That stopped thirteen years ago, now there is one person more important than me.

“Mom,” Claud cries and flings herself into Jules’s arms.

“Congratulations, sugar plum. I love you.” Juliette barely gets out through the tears.

I place my hand on Jules’s back so my pregnant wife doesn’t topple over. “Careful.”

Jules is sobbing now, and there is no way she can control it. I can tell she’s squeezing Claud within an inch of life. “Jules, baby. Let Claud breathe,” I tell her softly.

Claud shakes her head. “Don’t,” she mumbles into Jules’s neck, and they stay there having their moment while the rest of us stand and watch.

These two have built an incredible bond, and every time I see them together, it confirms that Camila handpicked Juliette.

Besides loving Claudina unconditionally and Claudina being utterly obsessed with my beautiful wife, Juliette didn’t come into this relationship only for me.

She undoubtedly was made to be Claud’s other mom.

Glancing over our family, a sense of pride washes over me.

We’re all here as a unit.

Everyone is happy, loved, and thankful. It took a while after Camila died, but we’ve all learned never to take life for granted.

And what a life it is…I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

The End.