Page 119 of Always Right

I hummed against her lips before lacing her fingers with mine and squeezing her hand.

“Let’s go home, baby.”

***

The sound of laughter filled our home.

The giggles of our beautiful niece Lily and our daughters Isa and Annie filled the house, while Noah’s shriek told us they were chasing him around again. He was the only boy in the family, and now he was paying the consequences.

Hannah laughed, shaking her head as we walked to the living room.

Dylan sat with his legs stretched out and his arm wrapped around Carina’s shoulders. Evie sat cuddled next to Nathan who chuckled when Noah climbed into his lap, begging for mercy.

“I’m glad you all didn’t burn the house down,” Hannah said, glancing around each pristine wall, her gaze landing on the piano in the open studio.

She bit her lip. She never thought she would have her piano at home, never considered it a possibility, until she saw it this morning. I promised I would give her everything she deserved, and I planned on keeping that promise as long as I lived.

“I considered it,” Evie said with a grin. Everyone laughed but she stood up, approaching both of us. “I’m exhausted.”

I chuckled, pinching my younger sister’s cheek. “Thanks for watching the girls. I hope they weren’t terrible.”

“No daddy!” Isa exclaimed. “We were good! Right, Annie?”

Annie nodded vigorously.

But they were a team.

They would always cover for each other, as they should. “We were so good Lily even gave us two candies!”

Little Lily widened her eyes and Noah giggled next to her.

“Oh, man…” Dylan shook her head, standing up with Carina’s hand in his. “These kids can’t keep a secret.”

He’d kept his word and moved to New York.

Now we saw him at least once a week.

It wasn’t long before they all left. The house was silent for a few moments until I took my girls in my arms and told them it was time for bed. I ignored their protests, realizing that after the candy it may take a while for them to rest…but I needed to be alone with their mother.

I tucked them into bed, read them a story, and made sure their favorite stuffed animal was to their left side, as always.

“Goodnight, daddy.”

I kissed each of their foreheads and lingered at the door for a few moments.

They had more energy than we did on most days. Their chatter was constant.

But they were perfect.

“Goodnight, Isa. Goodnight, Annie. I love you.”

I closed the door to their bedroom, not before making sure that their nightlight was on.

And then, when I was sure they’d settled down, I walked to the bedroom next to ours, pausing for a few seconds.

Gently, I turned the doorknob, taking a quiet step into the bedroom. It was silent. So silent it was almost like no one was there.

But I couldn’t help the smile on my face as I looked over our sleeping newborn. I swallowed thickly, my chest tightening when little Olivia scrunched up her face, stretching in her crib before settling into a peaceful sleep once again.

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