Page 163 of Unlock My Heart

I take my wife’s hand back in mine, leading her to the gravesite beside our son’s.

She gasps, covering her mouth when she reads the headstone inscription.

Here lies Oliver Jenkins, beloved twin brother of Sienna Jenkins Calvani, and godfather of Fabien Oliver Calvani, Jr.

Yeah, I stole her brother’s body, and I fucking dare anyone to do something about it.

I stand back, giving her a moment alone with her twin. She places her hand on the headstone and says something, smiling through her tears.

She rejoins me, and I lead her to the other side of our son’s grave. “We own the entire row, but these two plots are for you and me, so we’ll be next to little Fabien,” I tell her. “Unless you want to share a casket, we’ll have me cremated and season your body with my ashes like an oregano shaker over a pot of spaghetti.”

“You’re so morbid.” Through her tears, Sienna nearly chokes on a laugh. “Thank you.” She lifts her veil and presses her salty lips to mine before giving Lacey a little scratch. As far as I’m concerned, the dog can have my burial plot. She earned it by saving my wife’s life.

We return to the vehicle, and I have Saint stop at the snowball stand, where we take a seat at an outdoor picnic table.

Our order is delivered, and Lacey watches us intently as we eat our cherry snowballs. “You’re getting buried beside me, Lacey, but I draw the line at sharing a spoon with you,” I warn her.

The dog huffs, and Sienna giggles.

“Oh, alright.” I reach into the bag, retrieving a small cup filled with whipped cream. Holding it out for her, the dog eagerly laps it.

“You would’ve made a good dad,” Sienna says thoughtfully.

“Maybe one day?” I eye her, gauging her reaction. We haven’t discussed trying again.

Sienna smiles softly. “In 280 days, to be exact.”

The cup slips through my fingers, and Lacey dives for it.

Sienna takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. “I debated whether to tell you today, but I waited to share the news last time, and I won’t make that mistake again,” she says resolutely. “Fabien, I’m pregnant.”

“Say that again,” I say, feeling like I’m falling and flying at the same time.

“I’m. Pregnant.” She releases my hand and places hers on her stomach for emphasis. With a little laugh, she says, “Leave it to you to slip one by the birth control goalie twice now.”

I jump into the air, pumping my fist. “We’re having a baby!”

“Sit down,” Sienna hisses, jerking me down by my arm.

“Snowballs for everyone,” I shout, and the other patrons cheer.

My wife’s face flushes, and I grab it, cradling her gently. “Are you happy?”

Emotion swirls in her cat-like eyes. Cat-like eyes that I bet little Fabien would’ve inherited. Cat-like eyes that I hope my daughter will inherit. I’m going ahead and calling it—we’re having a girl. “I’m so happy it scares me,” she admits softly.

“Don’t be scared.” I caress Sienna’s face, and she leans into my touch. “We’re holding onto happiness this time.” I seal that promise with a kiss, the taste of cherry snowball and my forever girl hitting just right on my tongue.

Epilogue

Sienna

The present

“Is it supposed to smell like this?” Alessandra wrinkles her nose, looking around the stuffed racks like a deer in the headlights.

On the hunt for the perfect score, I flip through each hanger. What the perfect score is, I’ll know it when I see it. “It’s the thrift store smell; you’ll get used to it,” I say, despite my stomach doing a little roil. But that’s only because I’m in the first trimester, and this baby and I haven’t found a common ground yet.

“Do I have to?” Alessandra wonders.