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Declan touched the button to connect a FaceTime call. Denise’s face filled the screen.

“Hi! I didn’t expect you to get back to me so quickly.”

“I was at my sister’s coffee shop breaking the news about you and your children.”

Macy waved. “Hello.”

Denise smiled, moving through her house to the living room. “Girls. Declan called. He and Macy are on FaceTime.”

They heard the murmur of young voices as she settled on the couch. The girls’ faces came into view on either side of her. They waved, and Declan’s heart lurched.

“Hello! I’m Hannah,” the older one said.

“I’m Jessie,” the younger girl added. “You’re pretty!” she said to Macy.

Declan glanced at her to see a bright smile on her face.

“Thank you. You’re beautiful. You both are. It’s so nice to meet you.”

And they were. They both had pretty smiles and Cole’s light blonde hair. Hannah had her mother’s blue eyes, but Jessie’s were brown like their dad’s. Even seated, he could tell they both had his height too. Hannah was as tall as her mom, sitting there, and Jessie looked older than her seven years. Both girls appeared happy. Declan was glad Denise seemed like a good mother. He hoped that held true as they got to know each other.

“Your mom said you just got home from school,” Macy said. “Do you like your teachers?”

The girls launched into a recap of their day, which then led to a discussion on their favorite subjects and their friends. Declan and Macy learned Hannah liked math and reading, and Jessie liked art.

Declan glanced back as the kitchen door opened. Maggie stepped through.

“Seb called and told me I should get over here. I came as soon as I could.” She frowned, pausing a few feet away as she took in the FaceTime call.

He motioned her over. “Come here and meet our sisters.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Your what?” Her feet carried her over to stand next to him.

“Deck found a surprise in Denver,” Macy said.

Maggie looked at the phone screen, surprise on her face. “Hello.”

“Hi!” Jessie chirped. “I’m Jessie. Who are you?”

“My name’s Maggie.”

“Maggie’s a friend of ours,” Declan said.

“It’s nice to meet you. This is my sister, Hannah. And my mom.”

“I’m Denise.” The woman waved.

“It’s nice to meet all of you too.” Maggie looked at Declan. “That’s some surprise.”

“Yeah. I’ll fill you in more later.”

“We should probably go so you guys can get back to whatever you were doing. We’ll talk again soon, though, right girls?” Denise said.

Their heads bobbed.

“That would be great,” Macy said. “We’d love to have you come down for a visit. Maybe in a couple weeks? We’re all in a wedding this weekend, or I’d say this Saturday would be great.”

“A couple weeks would be perfect.”

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