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I pull Autumn against my chest and hold her. Soon, her breathing levels out and I close my eyes, drifting off.
* * *
“Miss me already?” Dad says when he answers his phone.
“Ha ha, old man. Actually, wanted to ask a favor.”
“What’s up?”
I take a deep breath. “Someone smashed in Autumn’s windshield last night. I need it towed to the shop, but I’m not comfortable leaving them alone at the house.”
“What the hell?” When Dad starts cursing, you know a nerve has been struck.
I relay the alarming wake up in the early morning and explain the condition of the glass and the note left behind. He mumbles unintelligible words into the phone. Dad and I are similar creatures and right about now, he’s working hard to keep his temper in check. Autumn may not be his daughter, Clementine not his granddaughter, but he protects and stands up for them just the same.
Dad agrees I shouldn’t leave and tells me he will head down to the garage and drive the flatbed over.
“Really appreciate it, Dad. Thank you.”
“We’re family, Jonas. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
After breakfast, we hang on the couch until Dad shows up. We chat while he loads the car on the flatbed. He tells me he knows where we can get a windshield to replace Autumn’s and not to worry. Before he drives off, he promises to secure her car in the body bay of the garage. Thankfully, we have security cameras around the shop. If anything happens while we aren’t there, we have “eyes” on the place.
When Dad drives off, I head back inside and sidle up to Autumn on the couch. “All taken care of.” She tucks her lips between her teeth and nods slowly. I bring my thumb and forefinger to her chin and lift her gaze to mine. “Hey, there isn’t much else we can do right now. So, as best we can, let’s try to enjoy the day and our time with everyone later. Okay?”
She blinks back the tears fighting to escape. “Okay,” she croaks out.
I press a chaste kiss to her lips. “This will all be over tomorrow. Let’s focus on that and celebrating you.”
We spend a little longer on the couch before hopping into action. We have a long list of things to do before everyone arrives—food, cleanup, setup—and divvy up the list so no one is overwhelmed. For obvious reasons, we give the simpler tasks to Clementine. But she will also help Autumn with a few recipes.
In no time, the house is clean and the kitchen counters are littered with bowls and platters of food. Going with the tropical theme, everything we have on the menu contains either fruit or Polynesian flavors. Autumn also messaged Cora before we went shopping yesterday and asked what to buy, so she didn’t have to bring separate food.
Our friends slowly arrive at the house. No one asks where Autumn’s car is, and we don’t bring up the topic. Instead, we spend hours with our favorite people. Our family. We smile and laugh and enjoy ourselves.
Gavin, Rez, and Micah man the grill with me. Cora, Shelly, Penny, and Tatyana lounge on the outdoor couch with Autumn. Rex, Erin, Iliana, and Trevor chat near the cooler and banquet table of snacks. And Clementine plays tag with Ashton and Spartan in the yard.
I love how we have all easily blended together. Four months ago, I never would have pegged this as my life. In love. A backyard packed with people who care about me as much as I do them. None of those people my kin. Each and every one of them there for me in a heartbeat.
Couldn’t ask for a better life.
After we devour dinner, Clementine lights the candles on Autumn’s pineapple upside-down cake and everyone sings “Happy Birthday”. Cake is eaten and gifts are handed over. Autumn blooms under the attention and I vow to make each of her birthdays going forward better than the previous. She had no expectations of being showered with gifts, but doesn’t turn a single one down.
One by one, our guests give us hugs and say good night. Penny, Cora, and Gavin hang around long enough to help us clean up. After the last farewells are given, we tuck Clementine in and get ready for bed.
“Thank you for today,” Autumn says as she peels away her clothes.
I step into her and wrap my arms around her. “My pleasure, scarlet.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Next year will be even better.”
She holds my gaze a moment. “As long as I have you, every year will be perfect.” Her gaze drops to my lips as she licks hers. “Now, I’m ready for my favorite present,” she whispers.
“Oh, yeah?” She nods. “And what’s that?”
“You.” She peels my shirt over my head and pushes me down onto the bed.
As she crawls up my body and presses her skin to mine, I wish her a happy birthday and lose myself to her.
TWENTY-THREE
