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Those birthday parties were never aboutme—just about doing what’s expected. I was actually grateful to not have to deal with them as I got older, and they stopped bringing me home for my birthdays.
But with Nolan…our family…we celebrate these things—these moments, as small or fleeting as they may be—because we genuinely want to. Not to impress anyone, or to check off a box. But because that’s what a real family is—it’s cooking out on the grill, and having water balloon fights in the yard, and feeling like you finally have a place to callhome.
A place that will unflinchingly catch you when you fall, and shelter you from any wreckage that may befall you when the world comes crashing down.
A branch snaps, and footsteps sound from nearby. Without looking, I already know it’s him. It’s more than just the heavy rhythm of his boots hitting the earth. It’s a shift in the air, as tangible as lightning, lifting the little hairs on the back of my neck and along my arms.
Craning my head, I watch my sexy as sin husband hop down onto the dock. He shoves some wayward strands of hair out of his face, and tightens the little knot at the base of his neck.
He threatened to cut it all off last year, and I may have threatened to divorce him. He thought that was hilarious.“As if I’d ever let you go,”he’d said.“I’ll be gray well before you, and I’ll still hobble my way to the ends of the earth for you.”
“Hi,” I say, resting my cheek on our son’s head.
Nolan strides over, dropping a firm kiss to my head, then Everett’s. “How are my two favorite guys?”
“Better now.”
He smiles knowingly, gazing affectionately at our son who’s currently pretending to hide in my chest.
“And my favorite girl?” I ask.
“She left with Clyde and Mary,” he grumbles, and I roll my lips together. She and their daughter, Cass, are best friends, and they’ve been plotting all day to have a sleepover tonight. I told her she had my vote, but she needed the others’ too.
“But yours weighs more ’cause it’s your birthday,”she’d said pouting.
Guess she had nothing to worry about, seeing as she got her way.
“Did you vote no?” I ask.
Nolan rolls his eyes. “No, I voted yes.” He cuts me a knowing look. “It means I get you to myself tonight once we get this little guy asleep.” He scratches at Everett’s belly, bringing a cute squeal from his lips.
I bite my lip, and Nolan’s gaze flashes to mine, flaring.
My cheeks heat, but I don’t break the contact.
Grunting, he turns toward the water, running another hand through his hair. His wedding band glints, catching on a ray of light coming from somewhere behind me. It’s simple and gold, identical to mine.
A long moment passes before he speaks again.
“Parker called,” he says quietly, as if afraid to disturb the peace out here.
My eyes widen, and I sit a little taller. Nolan’s expression is calm, so I know it can’t be anything bad, but…
“Canaan Academy has been seized by the authorities. They raided it this morning. All students have been released to their families.”
A stillness overtakes me.
He pulls out his cell phone, and taps a few times on the screen, before turning it toward me. It’s a news article.
“It was posted a couple hours ago, and it’s already circling the major news sites.” Nolan pauses. “They’re calling you guys the Canaan Five.”
My jaw quivers, and I sniff, shaking my head. “It’s happening.”
He nods, reaching up to push a lock of dark hair behind my ear. “Yeah, sweetheart, it’s really happening.”
Everett babbles, almost like he’s trying to mimic what his daddy’s saying to assure me.
I smile, choking on a sob. Looking down, I shake my head.
