Page 101 of Tempted

Jasmine and Victor exchanged a look before bursting into laugher. Madeline, Adam and Tyler joined in.

Chelsea crossed her arms looking a little put out. “I don’t understand what’s so funny.”

Jasmine sobered. “He’s probably get a little darker when he gets older but I hope you’ll love him all the same.”

Chelsea sighed. “I guess I will. He’s still cute though.”

Jasmine nodded solemnly. “I’m glad you approve sweetheart.”

Life was definitely going to be different now that she was officially a Meade but Jasmine knew one thing for certain, Chelsea would never change and that was a plus.

* * *

“How about James.” Maddie suggested.

“Craig. My best friend at school is Craig,” Tyler piped in.

“Justin!” Chelsea said.

Adam rolled his eyes. “Or Sean.”

Chelsea’s eyes lit up. “Oh that’s a good one.”

“I was being sarcastic,” the teenager snorted.

Jasmine was getting dizzy at all the names being thrown at her as the family figured out what they wanted the babies name to be. Jasmine was ready to give up when a little voice softly said, “Zac.”

The room went silent as all eyes focused on the little girl the word was uttered from.

Jasmine’s mouth fell open, rendering her speechless.

“Zachary.” Star grinned seeming quite pleased with herself.

Epilogue

“Don’t let him crash into that table,” Jasmine called out to her husband.

There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Zachary Eli Meade at one year of age ran the show around the Meade household. Besides being adored and fussed over by his big sisters, protected by his older brothers spoiled to pieces by his grandmother and parents, he had brought so much joy to everyone, even as he left destruction in his wake. He was a holy terror but so much fun.

Jasmine didn’t think it possible to experience this much happiness. The children were each thriving. Tyler was the star of his soccer team and was just starting to notice girls although he still denied it. That young boy who’d once been prone to angry outbursts had matured considerably and was much more laid back. There were still bouts of temper, but not as often as before.

Chelsea was still Chelsea, saying what was on her mind whenever and wherever but she had learned a little tact over the last year. She still had some growing up to do but Jasmine knew the girl would be just fine. Both Chelsea and Tyler called Jasmine Mom and it made her so happy.

Adam had grown into an outstanding young man. In his senior year of high school he’d taken so many college level courses he would be starting out as a sophomore when he went to college. The downside was, college would be on the other side of the country at Stanford in California. They would miss him but it was for the best. It was time for him to spread his wings.

Star was definitely not the same child she was a year ago. She didn’t talk nearly as much as her sister and was still quite shy at times, but she had opened up so much even to the point of sharing why she had kept quiet for so long. Apparently Phillip had once told her that Jasmine was sent away because she talked too much. What a thing to tell a child. Even at her most loquacious, Star had never been that talkative. Thank God she no longer had to deal with Phillip and her daughter had a positive male role model in her life. Victor had officially adopted Star much to Jasmine and Star’s delight.

Madeline was still Madeline.

Victor had cut his office hours considerably so he could spend time with the family. He’d even named Danny as a new partner. He made sure to spend all of his spare time with his family. They’d go out together often, take family vacations around the world. But the best part was just being a family.

Zac only got slightly darker much to Chelsea’s disappointment. In fact he looked like the spitting image of Victor even down to the blue eyes but Chelsea soon got over it because she adored her little brother.

The biggest surprise of the year was the friendship developed between Jason and Victor. It had been a bit awkward for them in the beginning but soon the two of them bonded over the baby and their mutual love for Jasmine. The kids even called Jason Uncle when he came to visit. He always brought gifts. Kids were so easy to please like that.

Now that Jasmine’s name had been cleared she wanted to continue her education but she refused to hire a nanny. She wanted to raise her children. She would have waited until Zac was a few years older but Madeline insisted on helping out so Jasmine attended two grad school classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She’d be finished with her degree by the end of the year.

Victor grabbed his young son before he could run into the table. “Got you.”

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