Page 20 of Snow One Like You
If I say potentially, it tricks my brain into believing he might not be. I don’t know the details of his mission, of course, but I know enough to realize he’s not going to be hanging out with kittens and puppies.
Walking through the hall, feeling accomplished because I’ve emptied yet another box, I glance at Calvin’s framed key collection. It’s unique, I’ll give him that. The story behind it is quite sweet and I’ve decided I want to contribute, so I’ve found myself keeping an eye out for additions to it. I haven’t had any luck yet, but I’m sure I will eventually. I did, however, cheat a bit on the rules, finding one at the store in a certain shape and tacking it on. I told him it’s the key to my heart, causing him to rearrange the layout and put it in the center.
It was hard letting Fitzy know I was moving out, even though she was happy Calvin and I found each other. Her apartments are in high demand, so I have no doubt the vacancy will be filled soon, if it hasn’t been already.
Calvin is having a difficult time adjusting to work without Nate. He’s gone on undercover assignments before, but those were short term, meaning they both knew he’d be back and an approximate end date for them. This time, however, they don’t have that reassurance and it’s messing with him.
Add in that he meet his new partner, Harmon Campbell, recently and I can guarantee he’s looking forward to his upcoming time off. They get along, and I’m sure Calvin and Harm, as he prefers, will become friends if given the time. Until then, the bond that is immediate from having each other’s backs on a daily basis is enough.
More than if it keeps my husband safe.
Yes. Husband.
Calvin, while struggling to accept Nate’s impending absence from his life, proposed. He admitted that he knew it was earlier than we’d both planned, but he wanted his best friend at his side when he pledged his forever to me.
As proposals go, it wasn’t what every little girl imagines. It was better. I accepted without hesitation and, after celebrating that night, we began making arrangements. We knew Nate had limited availability, so Calvin and I kept it small, taking our vows at the courthouse with those closest to us in attendance. Nate served as the best man and Brewster, who’d become the sister I’d always wanted but never had, was my maid of honor.
I admit, I watched the two of them together, curious if there was anything between them. Being a lover of romance books, I knew the potential storyline, but alas, they’re more like siblings.
Brewster and Harm, however, ignite some serious sparks. She’d been leaving our place, having dropped off a set of keys that had been in the lost and found for two years at the hospital and had been deemed useless to keep at that point. Brewster, and rightfully so, felt Calvin needed them. Harm had stopped over, a visit we’d suggested to get to know him better, and her exit had coincided with his entrance.
I might’ve had a hand in the timing of that, which Calvin knew and shook his head at. It’s not that he doesn’t want his sister to be happy like we are, simply that he doubts she’s looking for a relationship. She may not have been prior to that. But I have a feeling meeting Harm changed that. Time will tell. I helped by doing my part, the rest is up to them.
Once Calvin gets home, we’re out of here. A belated honeymoon to the mountains and our Christmas present to one another. Our families were a bit disappointed we wouldn’t be home for the holiday, but they understand and were happy to celebrate it with us a few days early.
There is cell service where we’re going, should an emergency arise for us or somebody we love, but other than that, we will be unplugged.
Well, I will be, if you get my drift. Calvin will be plugged in a lot…to me. “Why do you have that look on your face?” He asks as he comes in. I didn’t hear his car as I usually do, but I still knew he was home. We’re that connected. “You made a mental pun innuendo again, didn’t you? A punuendo, if you will.”
“I totally did,” I confirm, enjoying his sexy chuckle when I share it with him.
“Bet your ass I will be,” he assures me.
Winking, I let him know, “That can be arranged.”
His eyes widen at what that implies. “I’ll pack the lube.”
Epilogue Two
Calvin
Ten years later…
“Go, Deymon!” I holler at my oldest. He’s eight and currently running toward second base after hitting the baseball. Being that Snow is Rain and Sunny’s only child, and therefore won’t transfer their family surname to the next generation, I suggested a compromise when we discovered we were having a boy. We’d agreed on Damon, with a twist. Changing the spelling to include Dey honored her parents, her heritage, as him having the last of Wells will do for mine. To continue that, making our own tradition, our daughters have Dey as their middle names, giving all three of them a connection to it.
He loves sports of any kind, running us ragged as we try to accommodate the schedules of all the teams he wants to join. It’s tiring, and expensive, but we don’t hesitate to sign him up for those he shows an interest in. So far, we’ve knocked the list down by two. There are simply some he prefers to watch instead of playing, a realization he wouldn’t have come to if he hadn’t given it a chance.
Storm, Stormy to those who know her best, lives up to both monikers. She is a force of nature that cannot be contained. We’ve tried. We should’ve known it from the day she was born, not waiting until we were at the hospital to meet us. Instead, we had to pull over and I delivered her myself. Thank goodness my department trains us how to handle those situations just in case we find ourself in one. That was six years ago, and I still don’t think I’ve recovered from it.
Snow, however, was as calm as can be. Contacting her doctor to let her know there’d been a change of plans and we’d be there with our baby as soon as she arrived. The doctor, a friend of Brewster’s, took it all in stride due to her profession and the fact she’d come to know us quite well through my sister and our appointments with her. Stormy, unsurprisingly so, wants to be an emergency room doctor like her beloved Aunt Brewy. She can say her actual name, of course, but her version is much cuter.
Mae, our third, and last, child is all about music. Turn any kind of beat on and she’s dancing. We’re trying to discern which type is her favorite, but there doesn’t seem to be a clear cut winner. She loves each one. I’ve even seen her mimic the conductor when we skim through the channels and she sees an orchestra on the screen.
I don’t know what any of them will choose to be when they grow up, only that Snow and I will support them fully. Though we might draw the line if they decide to take after my in-laws previous exploits.
I’m still a detective, loving it too much to resign my shield or move up in the ranks. Snow took some time off after each of our kids were born, wanting to spend time with them. Her job at the medical practice was secure, those in charge filling it with temporary workers until she was ready to return.
This weekend, we’re having a cookout at our place, all of our friends and family coming to kick off the start of summer. My parents, Snow’s, Brewster, Harm, Nate, his wife, and their respective kids are each bringing a side dish or dessert while we provide the grill and meat, as well as plant-based options for Rain and Sunny.
My three holy terrors are going to Uncle Nate’s for the night, giving my wife and I the house to ourselves. I’ve got big plans and they involve a key from my collection that unlocks our personal set of handcuffs.
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