Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Legend nods. “Mo and I were talking about that last night. It would be nice, even when our wives come to visit, to have a place we know the kids can roam and play freely and be out of harm's way.”
“Do you two plan on having more than just Lilly and the one you and Mo have cooking?” Lachlan asks.
“Yeah, and I’m sure all of you will have kids of your own at some point,” Legend answers.
“We gotta be wifed-up first,” Maddox tells him.
“You better get on that.” Roman laughs.
“Trust me, if I could find her, I’d be working toward what you two have.” I point to Roman and Legend. I quickly glance toward the kitchen, but I force myself back to my friends and our conversation.
“You never know when she’s going to appear. Mo was right in front of me for years.” Legend shakes his head. “How I didn’t know she was mine all that time, I’ll never understand.”
“I knew Em was mine, or that I wanted her to be,” Roman adds.
We talk more about the new shop and things we think it needs. Legend is going to set up a meeting with the contractor later this week. Once we have a final draft and stop making changes, they can start the build. I’m pumped to see it. Of course, Legend is making this happen for us, but we’ve all busted our asses to make a name for Everlasting Ink. Having a new state-of-the-art facility is only going to bring in more clients to our sleepy little town of Ashby, Tennessee.
We finish eating and help clean up before Briar asks for everyone to gather around in the living room to watch the girls open their presents. They’re giddy with excitement as they sit on the floor with all the gifts in front of them.
There isn’t a single person in this house that’s not smiling at their enthusiasm. The grins on their faces and the happiness radiating from them is palpable. I’m glad my sister and Monroe orchestrated this. These ladies, all four of them, big and small, deserve more people in their lives who care about them.
Today is their first look at what it means to be a part of the Everlasting Ink family.
CHAPTER
SIX
Briar
I’ve been fighting back tears since the moment they walked through the door. When I extended the invitation last weekend, and Maddox asked about their invitation, I thought he was kidding. Of course, they’re welcome, but honestly, I never dreamed that all five of the guys would show up. I thought the girls would show up with Lilly. We’d have some cake and ice cream, open some presents, and call it a day.
This is so much more than I ever expected, and the smiles on my daughters’ faces… it’s incredible to see them so happy. They’re fascinated with every gift they open. I made sure they got everything on their list. Is it too much? Probably, but Brogan and I are all that they have, and I needed them to feel loved and so damn special on their birthday.
Although, looking around our packed living room, it’s not just us anymore.
I don’t know what role these people are going to play in our lives, but for today, they’ve made the twins' fourth birthday one that I know will stand out, one that they will always remember.
“Open mine,” Lachlan says. He hands a box wrapped in pink paper to each of the girls. They smile and tear into the packages.
“No way!” Forrest laughs. “I almost bought those. Had them in the cart and everything.” He’s shaking his head as he watches the girls talk about the new Barbie Jeeps that Lachlan bought them.
“Phew. Dodged a bullet there.”
“It’s fine,” I tell him. “We could have just exchanged them.”
“Yeah, but who wants to get two of the same thing?” He looks over at his friends. “We should have coordinated like we did with Lilly. Anyone else buy Barbie Jeeps?” he asks.
“If we did, we wouldn’t tell you until the girls opened them,” Monroe tells him.
Lachlan winces. “Fair point.”
“We are definitely going to coordinate next year,” Maddox agrees.
Those tears I’ve been fighting, they well behind my eyes. I can feel the heat of them threatening to fall. I need a minute to compose myself, but I can’t leave while the girls are opening their presents.
“Let’s open these babies up,” Lachlan says. He moves to the floor to sit in front of the girls to help them break their new Barbie Jeeps out of their packaging.
“Give me one of those,” Maddox says, moving to the floor as well, taking the second Jeep and starting to open the box.
“I’ll be right back,” I murmur. I’m not even sure anyone is paying attention as I stand and move to the kitchen for a breather. As soon as my back is turned on the room, I lose the battle I was fighting. A single hot tear rolls down my cheek. I’m quick to wipe it away as I focus on pulling in a deep breath. Resting my hands on the counter, I bow my head and try to compose myself.