And there he is in the picture, just like I remember. Easton is standing next to the pool table, smirking as he eyes me. I’m next to him, looking up at him as I rest my arm on a cue.
“God, I remember this. You’ve gotten so much better at pool now.” I shove Easton playfully, nudging him with my elbow, and he laughs, pulling me against his side with a grin. “We’ve been through a lot, huh?”
All I can do is nod. That’s a hell of an understatement.
“Did you meet Uncle Easton on a blind date or something?” Jade asks, and I laugh.
“No, no. We just happened to be there at the same time. He was complaining about the music.”
“A dumb mistake, but one that got you to talk to me, so…” Easton shrugs, still smirking.
“Had you ever played pool before?”
I shake my head. “Nope, first time. I was awful. When your uncle went back to the military for a while, I vowed to get good enough to beat him.”
“Did you?” Jade’s eyes are wide, hopeful.
“I did, actually.”
“Oh, yeah, she creamed me.”
They both laugh, and my chest only pinches slightly at the memory of Easton going back to the military.
It certainly isn’t my favorite memory, but our relationship has had its ups and downs. That’s for sure.
Still, I’m glad we found each other again. I’m more than glad. This is the life I always wanted.
“I’m so happy that we made it here, Haze. I couldn’t imagine a better person to share the future with.”
Easton’s words hit me, partly because we were thinking the same thing and partly because I still can’t believe we get this. That we’re here and alright.
“Hey, what about me?” Jade pipes up, her smile teasing.
“I needbothmy girls here with me all the time.” Easton wraps around me to pull Jade and me against him for a hug.
We all giggle at the squeeze, and when Jade sits back, she rolls her eyes. But then her expression sobers, and she looks up into my eyes with this expectation that makes me slightly nervous.
“Can…can I call you ‘Mom?’”
My mouth drops open, and I blink back tears as a stunned Easton watches on. His eyes come to mine, waiting for a response, and I’m so totally taken aback.
Though, I can’t deny that I’ve thought about it a lot.
“You can call me whatever you’re comfortable with,” I take Jade’s hand to reassure her, “but I’dloveto be your mom.”
My throat is tight as the emotions overwhelm me, and then Jade launches herself into my arms. I hold her against my chest, letting everything just flow out of me.
There’s no point holding back emotions, trying to be stoic or perfect or to protect yourself. The hurt’s going to come if the hurt’s going to come. The best thing to do is dive in head first.
Easton wraps around us again, and I can feel the moisture on my skin as his face meets my arm. He’s crying, and it just makes my tears come all the harder.
But they’re happy tears. The absolute happiest.
“This is what I want,” he mumbles. “My girls by my side, a happy little family. It’s what I’vealwayswanted.”
I look over my shoulder at him, sharing this little moment between us as Jade hugs me. He lowers his voice to a whisper.
“I was wrong, Haze. Love can be mine, and I want this for the rest of my life. I love you.”
