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“They just accept you in a way people will never understand, because they’ve gotten to know the real you. That man is my soulmate, and I would have never found him if I hadn’t taken a chance at something more being there.”
“Thank you for mine,” Madison whispered tearfully. “Because Eric is everything to me.”
“Remember,” Lily smiled tenderly, winking at her as she said those innocent words once more to her, and Madison recognized them, sharing a smile with someone she was coming to truly befriend. “It’s just a letter, after all…”
“It’s just a letter,” Madison whispered as she met Eric’s beautiful smile.
EPILOGUE
Three years later
“Shhh, Max…”
Madison looked over at the hospital room door where Eric was walking in with Trigger and Max, who immediately ran to her side of the bed. Trigger walked in the room, put her paws on the side of the bed, took a look, and then walked off to lay down on the cool linoleum to take a nap.
“Momma, your belly popped like a balloon,” Max smiled, and then he noticed the bassinet, his face looking awestruck. “Is that my baby brother?”
“Yes, it is,” she smiled proudly and patted the bed beside her as he scrambled up to sit with her. “Would you like to hold him?”
“Oh yes,” Max whispered, clenching his hands together happily. “I’ll be the best brother in the whole world.”
“I know you will,” she met Eric’s eyes and saw his tender smile as he scooped up the swaddled baby, holding it against him for a moment and kissing the infant’s forehead.
He was wearing his officer’s uniform and had left the station to join her the moment her labor was progressing along. Her mother had stayed with Max – and Lily drove her to the hospital.
Michael, Lily’s son, would come over and play cars in the backyard with Max sometimes, but the boys usually ended up rough-housing around or making Rose angry. It was easier for them to have coffee together at Lily’s house where the children had their rooms to retreat to, and their own toys.
“Alright,” Eric smiled tenderly. “Are you ready, Max? What did we practice with the doll at home?”
“I’ve gotta hold the head and watch the neck,” he repeated distractedly, reaching for the baby with eager hands, causing Madison and Eric to look at each other and chuckle softly.
“Exactly,” Eric replied, setting the baby down in Max’s arms.
“Oh Mama,” Max immediately teared up. “My baby brother is beautiful. Isn’t he beautiful, Daddy? He’s got a funny shaped head, but I still think he’s perfect.”
“His head will be as perfect as yours,” Eric said emotionally, leaning down to kiss Max. “I love you, buster.”
“Does it matter that I’m a treasure?”
“Do you love your mama?”
“Daddy, don’t be silly. You know I do.”
“Do you love me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Do you love little Beckett?”
“Oh, I do,” Max said emphatically. “Beckett is beautiful.”
“And Trigger?”
“Trigger’s my buddy and my pal.”
“So, you love all four of us?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
