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“Hey, tater tot.” I affectionately ruffle his hair, which he’s carefully combed and sprayed down to make himself look like a little man. Lately, he’s been emulating Desmond’s style, which is slightly unsettling, given that Desmond has been outfitting him in designer button-downs.
“I’d like the guys to be my bonus dads instead of my brothers,” he declares, pushing up his glasses, his face earnest and resolute. It’s evident that he’s steeled himself for this conversation. “I love the stories you tell me about Mom and Dad, but, Lottie…” He’s so grave that he takes hold of my hand. “You’ve acted like my mom, and therefore, you’re my bonus mom.”
I was utterly unprepared for this revelation.
Lyric skillfully parks the car and turns around, Matty’s concern mirrored in his expression. The tension in the air is palpable, none of us eager to be the first to break it.
Milo’s words hit me like a tidal wave, and my voice catches in my throat. Despite my efforts to contain my emotions, his simple statement overwhelms me with an immense rush of joy and love. Tears stream down my face as I gaze at Lyric and Matty, who are watching us with tender smiles.
Lyric reaches out and takes my hand, his thumb tracing circles on the back of it. “We’d love to be your bonus dads,” he says gently, his voice full of emotion and understanding.
Matty nods in agreement and adds his own words of support. “We would be honored.”
“See, Lottie?” Milo beams at me.
“I don’t want you to—” I begin, only for Milo to place a hand over my mouth.
“I know,” he says, his tone resolute. “I won’t forget Mom and Dad, I promise, but now, I have you here.”
He slowly removes his hand, almost as if he’s prepared to silence me again if I try to argue. Instead, I ask, “When did you get so smart?”
He ponders for a moment, reaching for the door handle, his face scrunched in thought. “Dad.” He shrugs, then scrambles out of the car, slamming the door shut.
Milo races toward the school’s entrance, a wide grin adorning his face. Before disappearing inside, he turns around and waves back at me. I can’t help but smile as I watch him go, my heart overflowing with love for him.
As Milo disappears from sight, I don’t harbor any anxiety about him leaving, not in this town. It’s a place that has embraced us, giving us a sense of belonging and family that erases any worries I once had. He’s surrounded by people who genuinely care for him, rooting for his success, not just within our tight-knit group, but within the entire community. Wherever he goes, he’ll have our unwavering support, now more than ever.
As I turn away from the door, a comforting sense of assurance washes over me, knowing Milo is safe. Better yet, he’s genuinely happy in our newfound home, and that realization makes all the challenges we faced worthwhile.
No matter what the future holds, regardless of the hardships that may come our way, we’ll always have one another to lean on. That’s what families do—stick together through thick and thin.
I’m certain that this small town will forever remain in our hearts, no matter how far we roam.
I look at Matty and Lyric. “He loves you guys.”
“We love him,” Matty replies, grabbing my hand. “We love you.”
My heart skips a beat, though I’ve known my love for them for some time. I gaze at Lyric, who simply nods. “I love you guys.”
“Good.” Lyric smirks. “Because we love you, and we have a surprise for you.”
He speeds down the road, veering onto my street. I wave to Mr. Benson as we pass, catching a glimpse of my old home, boarded up and undergoing restoration, but truth be told, I don’t miss it. I’ve fallen in love with the mansion—our sanctuary, our haven.
Even Brooklyn, who holds a special place in Milo’s heart as his favorite and only grandma, can’t sway my affection for our new abode.
Lyric steers into the parking lot of The Tulip. Icicles hang from the eaves of the diner, and a delicate layer of frost veils the windows like a shroud. The crisp scent of winter settles around me, both nostalgic and invigorating, making my nostrils tingle. “As much as I missed work, why are we here?” I inquire, stifling a shiver.
“It’s going to be a surprise,” Lyric teases, reaching back for my hand. Matty strides ahead, taking the lead. I follow cautiously, muttering about my dislike for surprises, but soon, curiosity gathers like an army of ants, marching steadily into my mind.
“All right,” I say, my voice tinged with suspicion.
We step into the backroom of the diner, and I hear Tatum’s laughter. A flare of nervousness spikes inside me. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her since I put a bullet in her cousin’s head—an action I still don’t regret, but I don’t know how she’s going to react yet. The only guilt I feel is the hurt I may have caused her.
As Lyric leads me into the dining room, her laughter subsides, and I see her as Lyric moves out of the way. Her eyes are red and puffy, as if she’s been crying, and my heart sinks. Worry slithers through me that she might harbor everlasting resentment.
She smiles and rushes toward me, wrapping her arms around me as she holds me tight. “Don’t ever try to get killed again.”
“You aren’t—”
