Page 48 of Two Hearts' Accidental Heroes

“Talk tomorrow. My wife will be the one handing over the baby to Anya, by the way, so I promise that she’ll be well taken care of,” Jake said gently.

After their conversation with Jake, Shanna heaved a sigh of relief. “A month isn’t nearly as long as I thought. For some reason, I assumed this might go on for much longer.”

“That could very well be. I think it might depend on what happens with this mission, Shanna. Either way, I got the impression the last time I talked with Jake, that he thinks it might be time for Anya and Eric to know what’s been going on. So, even if we had to go out on the road, Anya would be there for you, I’m sure, when the kids needed to be cared for. We don’t want Grace to remain here longer than she has to. It’s hard for her sometimes, I can tell. I can see the sadness in her eyes, as much as she loves Johnny.”

Shanna nodded. “I can too. I’m sure it’s because she spent most of her married life in Rice Lake. Being back in the area must bring back a lot of terrible memories.”

“What do you say we just have a huge meal delivered tomorrow from the Dragonfly Pointe Inn? That way, the three of us can spend our day with the kids, opening gifts while just enjoying the day.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” she said. “Let’s put the gifts under the tree right now. We’ll have to tell Johnny that Santa came a little early this year.”

Rick grimaced. “Poor Johnny. He’s never really had the chance to believe in Santa because of what he went through before he went to live with Grace.”

Shanna nodded. “I know. But that doesn’t mean we still can’t pretend. Johnny and I both need to forget about the horrors of the past and do what we can to move forward.”

Rick nodded, agreeing.

* * *

When Johnny woke the following morning to see all the presents under the tree, his eyes went wide as saucers. Although they’d spent the previous Christmas together, it had mainly been a celebration to get to know each other better. Now that they’d completely earned Johnny’s trust, Shanna and Rick had definitely gotten into the spirit of the season once the baby had been born. Especially since they only had each other at this point in time.

“Paints,” Johnny said excitedly, opening his first sampling of a case filled with assorted colored tubes of oils. “You’ll show me how to use these Mommy?”

“I will, Johnny,” Shanna said reassuringly. “I have a feeling you might have a knack for it like I did. Although your watercolor technique is sure looking good. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more with you when I was going to have the baby.”

“I know,” Johnny said. “You can’t help it if the smell made you sick.”

Shanna grinned. “Besides. You and Rick got to spend a lot of time fishing. And hopefully, he’ll be able to teach me how to ski too now that Anya’s been born.”

And then Rick walked into the room, wheeling the bicycle he’d just finished putting together for Johnny.

“Oh, wow. Look at that,” Johnny whispered. “Is that for me?”

“It sure is,” Rick replied. “I thought the two of us might be able to do some riding this summer. Maybe your mommy, too, if she’s up for it.”

The expression on Johnny’s face was so full of wonder as he stood from the floor to check out the bike, Shanna made sure to get some pictures on her new phone.

As Johnny laid his hand on the bike’s handlebars, he held Rick’s gaze. “Rick?”

Rick looked at him quizzically. “Yes, John?”

“Is it alright if I call you Daddy?”

“Of course it is,” Rick said, sounding rather emotional.

Shanna’s eyes filled with tears as Rick scooped Johnny up into his arms, pressing his finger to his nose before giving him a quick hug and resting him back on his feet.

Grace was crying, Shanna noticed, when she gave her a side glance as she rocked the baby, who couldn’t seem to quit staring at the lights on the massive tree that they’d cut and decorated a few weeks earlier.

“Are you okay with that, Grace?” Shanna asked softly.

“Of course, I am. I have a feeling it’s exactly what Wesley would have wanted, my dear, otherwise, he would have never trusted Rick in the first place.”

“Johnny?” Shanna called out. “Before you open the rest of your gifts, why don’t you give your grandmother hers while I hold Anya for a little while.”

“Okay, Mommy,” Johnny said, scrambling back under the tree.

A few hours later, Shanna and Rick started getting ready to depart. They’d already said their goodbyes to Grace, Johnny and the baby, who were all in the family room, getting ready to watch a movie that Grace was allowing Johnny to choose.

---