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“Thanks. I’m terrified.”
“You’ll be a good dad. And Thea’s going to be a good mom. The kid’s going to be alright, no matter what.” He smacked me on the back, keeping his hand there a second longer than he needed. In a comforting way. Clearly, Millie’s influence had more than a passing effect on Len.
“Ready!” Millie cried from the kitchen, emerging with a tray full of cupcakes. Pink and blue frosting dotted the tops. I picked through the crowd to find Thea. I slid in beside Thea as she talked to my mom.
“My first grandkid,” Mom sighed, wrapping an arm around Thea and dropping her head onto her shoulder. “I can’t believe it.”
“Well, it’s about to get a lot more real,” Thea laughed, taking a cupcake off the tray. “Mom, will you do the honors?”
Mom’s head popped off Thea’s shoulder, tears in her eyes and her mouth in a surprised O. “Really?”
Thea nodded. I shrugged. Mom gave Thea a tight squeeze before holding up her hand. “Everyone, thank you so much for coming. We have so much to celebrate: Ben’s health, Thea and Ben’s relationship, and a new baby on the way.” Her eyes teared up as they flitted to Thea. “When these kids were babies, Thea’s mom, Elizabeth, and I would imagine who they’d grow into. We wanted them to be healthy and safe and have every opportunity in the world. We also wanted them to have each other.”
I grabbed Thea’s hand, squeezing it tight.
Mom wiped a tear from her eye. “And they did. They grew up inseparable. They cared for each other and they looked after one another. I…no, we couldn’t have asked for more. But we got so much more.”
Thea leaned her head against my shoulder, staring up at me with smokey gray eyes and a smile meant only for me.
“I love you,” I mouthed.
“I love you more,” she whispered.
“Impossible.”
“Anyway,” Mom continued. “I’m so very blessed to get a day like today. So, on the count of three, we’ll take a bite and find out whether I’m having a grandson or a granddaughter. One, two, three.”
Martha took a big bite of cupcake, revealing pink icing in the middle and immediately bursting out in tears. Pink icing smeared across my cheek as she pulled us into a bear hug.
Epilogue
BEN
SIX MONTHS LATER...
“And here is a rough-legged hawk. He’s sitting right now, so you can see the small feet and beak. When he’s flying, you can tell it’s him because of the dark markings under his wings.”
I stopped in front of the enclosure, tilting my body to the side so Betty could see the hawk from the carrier I’d strapped to my chest. Her tiny head brushed my chest as she reached for the hawk. Or something in the hawk’s direction. A chilly breeze rolled through the forest, whipping dead leaves off the trees and through the air. An orange maple leaf drifted in front of Betty, snagging her attention.
“You can’t play with them. Not yet, anyway. You need better hand-eye coordination first,” I said, pulling the leaf away.
She gurgled agreement, and I set off toward the next enclosure.
“This is a moose. Can you say moose?” I placed my finger into her outstretched hand and her pudgy fingers grasped mine. “They’re really dangerous, so if you see one in the wild, you talk loudly and slowly back away. If they charge you, you need to get into a ball, protect your head, and wait.”
“Definitely don’t have someone flail around trying to make the moose run away,” Thea said, sliding up behind me. She kissed my cheek before running her palm over Betty’s covered head. “I wondered where you two got off to.”
“I thought we could use some fresh air. And maybe you could use a nap. Besides, she might run this rescue one day. She’s got to know what I do around here.”
Thea smiled, brushing a kiss over my cheek. “Next time, leave a note. I would have loved a nap.”
“It’s not too late.”
She shrugged, rubbing the bags under her eyes. “I’m dressed. Besides, I’d rather hang out with my two favorite people. Especially since you haven’t given me a personalized tour of the property since I moved in.”
“I offered you plenty of tours,” I joked. “And you said you were, quote ‘too big to walk.’”
“I was too big to walk. I was carrying this eight-pound chonker. She didn’t leave much space for breathing.” She smiled, her eyes still on Betty. “But, I’m here now. It’s a group tour. Take us through the rescue.”
