Emma's slow return to Jack's life has been painful to watch, but beautiful too. Like watching a broken bone heal, the process is gradual and sometimes setbacks happen, but the trajectory is toward wholeness.
"And Marcus?" I ask, though I know the answer.
"Still gone," Blake says with satisfaction. "That private investigator earned every penny. Financial fraud, embezzlement from his own company. The custody threats evaporated faster than water on hot pavement."
"Good riddance," Noah mutters.
I think about Marcus sometimes, about how his greed and desperation led to his downfall. Part of me feels sorry for him. A very small part.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to see a text from Jessica Martinez:Baby smiled at me today! Real smile, not gas. Thank you for everything, Mia.
I show the text to Jack, warmth spreading through my chest. Jessica kept her baby, graduated with honors, and is slowly building a life for herself. She texts me often, asking for advice, sharing milestones. I'm proud of her courage.
"You made a difference in her life," Jack says softly.
The sun sinks lower, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Linda starts lighting citronella candles while Robert supervises from his chair, offering commentary that makes her roll her eyes fondly.
"Fireworks start soon," Blake says, checking his phone. "The town display is in thirty minutes."
As if on cue, Linda calls out, "Who wants to watch fireworks?"
The children cheer, jumping up and down with excitement.
"Actually," Linda continues, a sly smile on her face, "your father and I were thinking we could watch all the children overnight. Give you four a break."
The air between us shifts, charges with electricity. I feel Jack's hand tighten on my waist, see Blake's eyes darken, catch Noah's sharp intake of breath.
"Are you sure?" I manage to ask, my voice slightly strangled.
"Positive." Linda's smile widens. "You deserve a night off. All of you."
Robert nods. "We've got this. Go enjoy yourselves."
The children are already running to Linda, chattering about sleeping bags and movies. Lily hugs my legs briefly before joining her brothers.
"We'll pick them up tomorrow afternoon," Jack says, his voice steady despite the heat in his eyes.
We watch the fireworks from the backyard, the children oohing and aahing at every burst of color. I stand between Jack and Blake, with Noah close behind, and feel the anticipation building like a storm.
When the last firework fades, we say our goodbyes. The children barely notice, too excited about their sleepover. Linda hugs me tight and whispers, "Be happy, baby girl."
"I am," I whisper back. "I really am."
The drive to our house takes fifteen minutes. The house we bought together three months ago, a sprawling property with enough bedrooms for everyone, and a yard big enough for all the children to play.
Jack drives while Blake sits in the passenger's seat. Noah sits in back with me, his fingers tracing patterns on my bare knee, sliding higher under my sundress until I'm squirming.
"Patience," he murmurs.
"Not my strong suit."
"We know." Blake glances back, his grin wicked. "But we're going to take our time tonight. We've got all night, and we plan to use every minute."
My core clenches at his words, at the promise in his voice.
We pull into the driveway and I barely register getting out of the car before Jack is kissing me against the front door, his body pressing mine into the wood. His kiss is demanding, possessive, and I melt into it.
Blake unlocks the door and we stumble inside, hands everywhere, mouths hungry. Noah kicks the door shut and spins me around, his kiss slower but no less intense.
