Page 105 of Shattered Dreams

Jolynn

One Year Later

I’m leaning on the arm of the love seat while I watched Richie and the kids decorate the tree. I wanted a real tree, so we waited to get one.

My belly itched, and I scratched it absent-mindedly when he looked over at me.

“Six kids.” I lifted my upper lip in a mock scowl.

“With you? I’d have an entire team.” He smiled.

After we got married, we planned for me to get my tubes tied. But when I went in for my exam, we learned that was going to be put on hold.

Honestly, I didn’t mind being pregnant, especially now.

The attorney called us yesterday and let us know Johnny was charged with voluntary manslaughter and, as part of the deal, he relinquished his parental rights. He was also released on probation with time served and he’s got fines.

While I’m not happy it’s not a longer sentence, he offered to sign his rights away, and that was good enough for me. Nothing he did would bring my dad back, and all I wanted was him out of our lives for good.

Last night we cracked open some carbonated apple juice to celebrate the freedom me and the boys felt.

Our lives changed dramatically once Richard stepped in. Tyler didn’t need speech therapy anymore; he spoke clearly and very well now. They released Harrison from therapy. And Grady made friends.

Briar was still the diva, and she’s a daddy’s girl. Emma was too, but who could blame them? He put us all on a pedestal.

The boys were learning all they can from Richard and his brothers about cars. I’ve been told more than once, it’s a family business.

Richard’s hand spanned my belly, and he tipped me back, kissing me deep. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Mom? Can we give him his Christmas gift now? Or do we have to wait?” Harrison rolled his eyes.

“What do you think?” I laughed. “You wanna wait?”

“Not really.” He laughed with me.

“Okay boys. You can give it to him.”

Richard took a seat, and the boys handed him a tie box. Smiling, he ripped the paper off and tossed the lid to the side, stopping when instead of a tie, it’s papers.

“What’s this?” He looked back at me.

“Uh, you need to read them, Dad.” Grady looked at him like he’s a moron.

“Yeah, I’ll do that.” He smiled and took them out. As he unfolded them, he looked back over at me. “These are court papers.”

“Are they?”

He looked back down and read. The room filled with a heavy silence, breaking only when a tear hit the papers.

“You guys really want me to be your dad?”

“You already are, silly.” Tyler said and headbutted Richard’s knee.

“We do.” Harrison smiled and then threw his arms around him.

“This is the best Christmas gift ever.”

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