I push back a strand of her hair sticking to her forehead, “I think so too. So, yes, you have to share your daddy, but Leia has to share me with you because you are mine.”
“Yours?”
I nod. “Forever. I love you, my sweet, spirited daughter.”
She smiles, and I hug her tightly.
Bennett comes along the side of the coach house with Leia in tow. “Can we interrupt? We feel like this is the time for a family hug.”
I draw back and wait for Wren to answer. She nods, and Leia comes in fast, wrapping her arms around Wren’s neck. Bennett squats, his eyes on me with a smile of pure joy as he completes our family hug.
“I’m sorry, Leia. I’m happy you’re my sister,” Wren says.
Leia squeezes her neck harder. “I know. I love you, Wren.”
“I love you too.” Wren looks at each of us. “All of you.”
We all cling a little tighter to each other.
I feel so blessed to have come here during the worst time of my life and found exactly where I belong and who I belong to.
Chapter Fifty
Sean,
* * *
I hope you understand why I felt the need to give you the story of how Bennett and I came to be. He is the love of my life, and it’s always come back to him.
Thank you for supporting Leia and me for seven years. You gave us a life I never would have dreamed. Although I’m not sure I will ever really know your true intentions, I like to think I knew you on some level.
You loved Leia. I know you did. I saw it in your eyes. So, I’m hoping you’ll find it within yourself to sign the Adjudication of Facts of Parentage papers that your lawyer will be bringing to you so that Bennett can be her father now. Yes, we found each other once again, and this time, nothing is going to tear us apart.
There is another letter accompanying this one, it’s from Bennett, and I’m asking you another favor… please read it. Hear it directly from him. He’s going to give us a good life.
I do wish you the best, Sean. I wouldn’t be where I am now without you.
* * *
Delaney
Epilogue
Delaney
We break ground on our house tomorrow, so Bennett said it’s only fitting that we go on a horse ride at sunset. The sky is brushed in soft, sleepy watercolors of pinks and golds. Bennett’s ahead of me, his shoulders relaxed, one hand on the reins and the other resting loosely on his thigh. He thinks he’s not a cowboy, but he’s wrong.
Somehow, after all this time, all the ups and downs, he’s mine.
We follow the familiar trail that winds along the edge of the old cornfield, the one that leads to the hilltop we used to sneak away to in high school. It was a lifetime ago. Sometimes though, it still feels like yesterday that I was riding in front of him, his arms around me, making me feel safe.
But now I like to think we both give each other that feeling, and our girls too.
I glance to Wren and Leia, with their little helmets on, their ponies clopping along. Wren is chattering nonstop to Leia, who listens with that quiet patience she got from her father. Wren inherited none of his calm demeanor, but she wouldn’t be her without all the fire and constant questions.
“Are we almost there?” Wren asks for the third time.
Bennett smiles over his shoulder. “Almost. Just one more bend.”
