Page 128 of Gabriel & Skye

“I love them. And I’m glad you’re happy I’ll be around more.”

“We could make a cake.” She turns to me. “Daddy, can we make a cake?”

“We’ll see,” I say. “Shall we go inside and see Grandma and Grandpa?”

She gives Skye a hug and climbs back over to me and I help her out of the car, still holding Daisy under my arm. I take her hand as she skips beside me and Daisy trots along next to us.

I put an arm around Skye as she beams from ear to ear. The tug in my chest is real, and I know my brothers will probably give me an eye roll because I did, in fact, end up with my nanny, but deep down I know they’ll be happy for me. It’s been a long time coming.

“You good?” I look down at Skye.

“Never better.”

I open the door and Trinity bolts, seeing Georgia first as she walks into the kitchen. Daisy isn’t far behind and hot on her heels.

“Aunty Georgia, Aunty Georgia! Daddy and Skye are in wuv!”

Georgia turns around to gape at us, just as my siblings all stop talking around the kitchen island. Of course, they’re all there. Mom and Dad too. Georgia and my mom usually overtake the kitchen when we’re all together and kick us out to go play pool or make noise somewhere else.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Great timing, Trin,” I mutter.

Skye stands motionless, mortified as my brothers all laugh.

Georgia has her hands on her hips. “You two sly little devils!” Trinity crashes into her legs as she picks her up. “What else do you know?”

“Skye likes flutterbies and Daddy is happy.”

Georgia grins, kissing her face as she wriggles out of her arms.

“That only took you what, a month?” Brooklyn chuckles, then adds in a quieter voice, “Told you he was buryin’ the pepperoni.”

“Brooklyn Bassett!” Mom chastises. “There are children present!”

“It’s pepperoni, Mom.” He shrugs.

Mom comes toward us. “Is it true?”

I nod, looking down at Skye. “It happened gradually, but yes, it’s true.”

“What about Skye going to North Carolina?” she presses.

Skye smiles warmly at my mom. “I’m no longer leaving. I hope to secure a position at the school if it comes up, but for now, I’m committed to helping Gabe with Trinity until she’s going to school full time.”

My father comes up behind me and pats me on the back. “Happy for you, son.”

“Thanks, Dad. As I said, it’s early days yet, but we’re getting to know each other and there’s Trinity to consider.”

He squeezes my shoulder. “You’ll make the right decisions. Skye has a good head on her shoulders. You’re good for each other.”

It’s been hard on my parents because I was broken for so long. Without them, I’d be nothing. Tiffany’s parents still make the effort to come and visit Trinity as often as they can. I’d never deny them access, even though it is a little awkward. They’ve been nothing but gracious through the whole thing.

Georgia and my mom hug Skye and welcome her to the family. Hartley joins in too and gives her a hug. A few moments later, Skye’s grandparents and Travis arrive, along with Hank and Geraldine.

Skye already told her grandparents she’d declined the job offer in North Carolina, but didn’t say why exactly, as we wanted to tell everyone tonight. I guess the cat’s out of the bag now because the first thing Trinity does when they arrive after hugging them is tell everyone we’re in love again and Skye’s not moving.

Her Gran and Gramps smile knowingly and Travis shakes my hand.

“Wait, you’re okay with this?” Beau laughs, shoving me in the ribs as he aims his question at Travis.

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