Page 123 of Second Chance

Epilogue

Gratitude

[Mati]

A week before Thanksgiving, Hollilyn goes into labor. To my surprise, she asked me if I’d be in the delivery room with her and Jax. I don’t recall all the details of giving birth to my boys, as I was prepped and sedated for the emergency C-section, so I accept the offer with honor. As a witness to this miracle, I thought I’d be more squeamish, but I held it together for Hollilyn and Jaxson, and their beautiful baby boy.

Christopher Jaxson Rathstone.

“We’ll call him CJ,” Hollilyn announces, cooing over the head of her sweet baby as Jax positions an arm around her and a hand on the baby’s back. They form a circle of life and family. My heart swells with pride.

Hours later, Jordan and Maggie come to visit, and I feel for Maggie. She wants a baby so badly. Jordan rubs Maggie’s back as she rocks the babe in her arms. He kisses her temple as a silent tear trails down Maggie’s face.

“He’s so beautiful,” she says.

“One day,” Jordan encourages, but I’m thinking after five years, they may need an alternative to their current plan.

Denton arrives with the biggest teddy bear I’ve ever seen. Hollilyn laughs as he struggles through the door and Jax swears at the size.

“No such thing as too big,” Denton says, winking at me. Setting the oversized stuffed animal in the vacant rocking chair in the corner, Denton stares at CJ in Maggie’s arms.

“Want to hold him?” Hollilyn offers from her position in the bed. She looks tired but happy. Jax appears surprisingly calm, and Denton glances at the new father for permission.

“Go ahead, old man.” The insult comes with a chuckle.

Denton takes the baby, juggling a little as Maggie lays CJ in his arms. If my womb could produce again, I might spontaneously become pregnant looking at the vision before me. He’s a vision of seduction mixed with sexy daddy. Denton sways, his hips jutting left and then right like he’s dancing with the baby. A hum fills the room and the rest of us quiet. Denton’s finger strokes over CJ’s little fingers which open and close around Denton’s thick digit. A lump fills my throat as he breaks into a soft lullaby about angels.

“I thought you didn’t like children,” I say as the song ends and CJ sleeps in Denton’s arms.

“I never said I didn’t like them, just didn’t have the right girl to have them.” His eyes meet mine for a moment and my chest pinches. I love this man.

Jax clears his throat and stands, coming over to stand next to Denton.

“So, uhm…” Jax scratches at the back of his neck while staring down at the baby. His other hand slips into his back jeans pocket.

“You’re kind of old to make a godfather,” he chuckles awkwardly, and I hold my breath, wondering where he’s going. He hasn’t exactly been accepting of Denton before and after his return. “But, I was wondering…since you’re sticking around…if you’ll play the role of grandfather, instead. My dad would have liked that.”

The tears in my eyes match those of Hollilyn. This is a big step for Jax. His acceptance of Denton means a lot to me, and this gesture is an olive branch. Denton grasps the opportunity. His smile grows as he looks down at the baby and then lifts him to kiss his forehead.

“Granddad Denton? I like the sound of that.”

+ + +

We gather for a Harrington Thanksgiving with quite a few additions. With Dolores still absent, Denton brings Magnolia and joins us for a day of gluttonous eating and drinking. Beer is in abundance, but Denton brings scotch, and I’m waiting for things to get ugly between my father and brothers. Drunk Harringtons are rowdy Harringtons.

Dinner is laid out buffet style as our family has grown over the years. This year, Giant’s girls don’t make it home but promise to be here for Christmas. Charlie’s daughter is still a star as she plays the piano for our entertainment, and Denton makes some new fans when he accompanies her. Billy remains surprisingly quiet throughout the holiday, but he wears his smile like a pro. He’s a master at masking himself. Something’s up with him, but I can’t put my finger on it. My brother James remains silently absent, and a hole remains for my mother. However, a grandbaby steals the day’s attention until after dinner.

With stuffed bodies and warm veins from alcohol, Jax stands before our congregated family in the large open plan family room.

“I’d like to make a toast.” His brother groans, but I smile as I curl into Denton on the couch. I’m pleased they’ve made amends with one another, and Jax’s suggestion to call Denton Granddad makes my old womb flipflop.

“To Grandma, of course, for an amazing meal.” He holds up his tumbler in the direction of my mother who blushes like the flirt she can be while waving a dismissive hand as if she doesn’t love the attention.

“To Grandpa George, for the finest beer.” The Harrington boys cheer a little too rambunctiously over the family legacy, and CJ breaks into a wail.

“And to Hollilyn, the mother of my child. Who could have predicted this is how it would end?” He nods to his son in her arms, and she pinks, recalling the one-night stand I’m sure they both never expected to last longer than one night. “But if I would have known the path would lead me here, I would do it all over again. I only wish I’d met you sooner, so I hope I’m not too late to ask.” He lowers to his knee before her in an overstuffed chair, and Hollilyn breaks into tears. I lean forward, covering my open mouth with both hands. “Will you be my wife, and share the rest of my nights with me?”

Hollilyn struggles to stand from her seat, and Denton pops up to take the baby from her arms. With another hand, he helps her upright, and Hollilyn looks like a bobblehead as she nods and nods and nods.