Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“You didn’t have to do that but it was sweet,” Noah said. “Girls, you can be surprised along with Grandma Nina.”
“Boo,” Dylan said.
Dakota let out a loud huff.
“Ignore them,” he said. “But you can whisper what it is in my ear.”
“Dad!” they shrieked.
“Kidding!” His mouth quirked up in a grin. The same mouth that had done dirty things to her just a couple of days ago, she thought, and immediately began squirming in her seat.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She smoothed her hand over her skirt and nodded. “Yep. Never better.”
Reaching over, he took her hand and held it on the ride to Greenwich, CT, where his parents resided. All the while she told herself to enjoy and instructed herself not to think. At all.
Chapter Twelve
Noah pulled into the long driveway surrounded by tall trees leading to his parents’ house. They’d moved to the white clapboard colonial-styled home after his father had retired from his career as a lawyer and then a federal court judge. While growing up in nearby Westchester, New York, his mother had stayed home with the kids, donating her time to charity and being a class-mom presence for her children throughout the years.
As they reached the front door, he noticed Fallon visibly draw in a nervous breath and he reached for her hand, squeezing in reassurance. “I promise they don’t bite.”
The front door opened before she could reply and the twins hugged their grandparents, then raced inside where no doubt his mom had whispered she had homemade chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen.
They all stepped inside and Noah began introductions. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Fallon Sterling. Fallon, my parents, Nina and Joseph Powers.”
“So nice to meet you,” his father said, enclosing Fallon’s small hand in his.
“It’s a pleasure,” she said. “Happy Birthday, Mrs. Powers.” She held out her gift and his mom took it from her hands.
“Thank you, Fallon. So unnecessary but very sweet. Welcome! Come, let’s go to the kitchen. I have warm cookies… if the girls left any for us.”
“Where is everyone else?” Noah asked, following them to the noisy room where his girls were talking loudly.
“Shannon and the boys should be here any minute.” She ushered them around the center island where the twins already sat next to each other and were, predictably, munching on cookies.
“Girls, leave room for lunch and cake,” Noah said.
His mother placed Fallon’s gift on a side counter and walked up beside her. For the next twenty minutes, the women chatted, his mother asking questions about Fallon’s career and art, which they’d heard about from the twins. She seemed genuinely interested, so he turned his focus to his father and they caught up until the doorbell rang.
His mother rushed to answer it and Noah used this time to sidle up to Fallon. “How are you doing?” he asked.
“Good. Your mother is so warm and sweet,” she said with a hint of melancholy in her tone. Before he could question her, she said, “She reminds me a little of my mom.”
And he knew immediately she was missing her own mom. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing the side of her forehead. “I want to know more about her,” he said.
She nodded just as his siblings entered the room en masse and the chaos began. The rest of the day passed with the same friendly vibe from his siblings, who welcomed Fallon easily. Since she’d already met Shannon, they talked for a while. Liam and Simon paid her a good deal of attention and he knew for certain she fit into his family.
Especially when, after cake, the gifts were opened. His mom picked up Fallon’s midway through the pile of presents. She cut the ribbon and ripped open the paper, pulling out a 5x7 picture frame.
She glanced at the photo and a huge smile lit up her face. “This is perfect! Thank you! Look, everyone!” she said and turned the frame around so everyone could see.
“That’s us!” Dakota exclaimed.
In the center of the intricate silver lace-looking design was a photo of the twins the day they’d painted their pictures at the studio. Each girl smiled wide as they held up the unicorns they’d painted, which now hung in their room. Dakota had a streak of pink paint on one cheek and Dylan was pointing at the unicorn with one finger. Fallon had captured their elation from the day perfectly.
“I remember you taking that,” Dylan said.
At the thoughtful gift, a lump rose in Noah’s throat. Not only had Fallon brought his mom a gift but it had been well considered and exactly what his mother would love. He wished he wasn’t across the room from her so he could squeeze her hand or let her know how much the gesture meant to him.
“Fallon, this is perfect. Really. I’ll put it up by my side of the bed.” She said the last part more to herself than anyone else.