Page 102 of Miss Fortune

She only laughed. “You said the right thing.”

“Did Gabrielle go down okay?” She was fourteen months old and by far the sleepiest, easiest baby ever.

“She did. She loves her sleep. How about Juliana?”

Juliana was our feisty three-year-old. “She conned me into two stories. It’s those big brown eyes. I’m telling you, I can’t possibly tell her no.”

She chuckled. “Daddy’s girls.”

I kissed her softly. “Definitely. By the way, Henry asked yesterday if we could adopt another boy. I imagine he’s feeling outnumbered.”

“Oh, yeah? You want to go for number four?” Her eyes shined.

We’d never discussed a stopping point, but four sure sounded like a good number. “I do love even numbers.”

“Me too. Good thing I know a great adoption attorney.”

I grinned, having loved the last five years of my working life. I took care of only adoptions, estates, wills, and the occasional prenup. I was able to work from home, pick my clients, and most importantly, spend quality time with the kids and Daisy. Doris even agreed to work part-time for me from her house to fund what she called her “cruise money” in semi-retirement. It was remarkable how much more relaxed I was now that I no longer had a job I hated. Cutting off my entire family with the exception of my sister Brooke, affectionately known as Auntie B. from my life had been another great decision. My children would never know what it felt like to never be good enough. Instead they’d spend time with Auntie B, and Daisy’s parents who doted on them like grandparents should.

I was a new man, with an incredible life I’d never imagined for myself. One where I couldn’t possibly be happier. All because of the incredible woman sitting beside me.

“Have I told you how much I love you lately, wife.”

She tapped her index finger to her chin. “Hm. Might’ve been yesterday, but I’ll never grow tired of hearing it, husband.”

* * *

Daisy

Could life be any better? I didn’t think so. With three kids, we were busy, but every day was a testament of a full life. The type you never took for granted. The type which not only gave me purpose, but was full of happiness and joy.

When baby Henry had first come to live with us, I’d worried about how it would affect Caleb’s routine and stress level. The cohabitation had been a big enough step, but adding a newborn with special needs—well, it would have been enough to stress anyone out. Yet he’d handled the change with remarkable calm. Now years later, we had adapted to each other’s routines and fully communicated our needs and wants.

“How about you go tuck Henry in, and then I have a surprise for you in the backyard,” he whispered, kissing behind my ear.

We’d moved out of Studio City a year ago, and now lived in the Mendocino Valley in a five-bedroom house. One of the biggest selling points had been the more than acre lot which Caleb had seen as a blank canvas for creating a new backyard oasis. He’d been laboring with contractors for months, doing a lot of the work himself too, and hiding most of it under tarps so I couldn’t see it. Until now.

“It’s time for the big reveal?”

He chuckled. “It’s time for your private preview. We can show the kids tomorrow.”

Hurrying up the stairs, I smiled at Henry’s sleeping form sprawled out in his bed before pulling the blanket up over him and kissing his forehead softly. I checked quickly on the other two, and then walked downstairs, anxious to see the big reveal.

Caleb was waiting for me at the back door with something in his hand. “A blindfold?”

“It’s for the surprise.”

It was both dramatic and romantic. He slipped it over my eyes, adjusting my hair, and softly kissing my lips before taking my hand and leading me outside.

He halted a few steps forward, gently placing me on a stool. “Stay here a moment, beautiful.”

I could hear him shuffling around, feeling the excitement over what he was about to reveal. I had goose bumps when he came up behind me and whispered in my ear. “Ready?”

“I am.” As soon as the blindfold was removed, I found myself gasping. He’d finished the balcony off the second floor which acted as the roof to the patio complete with ceiling fans. The bricked-in space included a built-in barbeque, refrigerator, and flattop grill perfect for morning pancakes. He’d strung hundreds of white lights to give the space a soft glow. “It’s beautiful.”

He walked over and turned on the larger lights illuminating the rest of the backyard. I stood up hardly believing how gorgeous it all was. In addition to the in-ground pool, and hot tub which alone were breathtaking, there was a huge swing set complete with a play house, slide, and rock climbing wall. “The kids are going to flip out.”

He grinned. “Come on.”