Page 8 of Timeless: Encore

We’re fucking survivors.

Fee plucks Mia off my back and sets her down. “Meems, do you know what today is?”

Confused, my daughter looks at me, then her mother. “Uh, yeah. We’re having a party for Uncle Ty.”

“Uh, no.” Fee rubs her temples and shoots me an exasperated look.

“I lied, Meems. The party is totally for you.” I laugh, wrapping my arm around Fiona.

Mia’s not mad at all. She jumps up and down and claps her hands. “What did I do? Why do I get a party?”

“Well, let’s find out,” Fiona coos. “Close your eyes, baby girl. Squeeze them shut real tight.”

She squishes her eyelids together and scrunches her entire face inward. Fee guides her by the shoulders through the kitchen construction zone, down the steps into the conservatory, where a crowd awaits.

My smile is so fucking big. This house is the bomb. I can’t fucking believe I have a conservatory. We’re so posh.

“Okay. One. Two. Three …Open!“ Fee’s just as excited as I am.

When she opens her eyes, our entire LTZ family cheers for her. Mia is startled, but also happy to see people she loves.

I kneel down to her level. “So youreallydon’t know what today is?”

“Nuh-uh.” She shakes her head vigorously.

“Well, today is the day I’m officially your daddy!” I kiss her little cheeks. “It’s the happiest day of my life.”

Mia screams, flinging herself into my arms. “I’m ‘dopted?”

Fee crouches beside us. “Yep. Zane officially adopted you because you’re the best girl in the whole world. We signed the paperwork and now he’s your real daddy. We’ll celebrate today every year for the rest of our lives. What do you think?”

“This is thebestday, EVER!“ Mia twirls around, causing the entire room to burst into happy laughter.

My dad, Carter joins us. “Your adoption also makes me your bonafide grandpapa, Meems. And Lianne’s your LeeLee. What do you say you help me get some cake?”

“We have cake?” Mia shrieks before spotting the three-tier hot-pink confection, which is set up on a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows leading to the backyard. Carter chuckles and follows her. My dad definitely has a sweet tooth.

It warms my heart that Carter is so present for his granddaughter. She’s going to have the best version of him, which makes me so happy.

“Congratulations.” Ty wraps an arm around my shoulder. “I know how long you’ve waited for this day to come.”

“Thanks, my brother.” I thunk his upper back, bro-style. Ty’s been my best friend and pseudo-brother since the tenth grade when Carter essentially took him under his wing. Our relationship has deepened over the years being on tour together. He’s been through many ups and downs, but he’s the best man I know.

Zoey wraps her arms around my waist. “I’m so happy for you both.”

“Bring on the babies!” Ronni rests her hand on top of her belly. She’s pregnant with twins, God help her. “Mia is going to be the best cousin ever to these little guys.”

Alex and Jace walk up, holding hands. Jace drawls, “Well, we might have some news of our own.”

“OMG, are youpregnant?“ Zoey claps her hand over her mouth.

Alex shakes her head vigorously. “God no, Z. We’ve decided to adopt Helena, Cassie’s daughter. Jace’s dad referred us to a family lawyer and we have some hoops to jump through, but it’s pretty much a done deal.”

“Dude, that’s so cool.” I fist pump Jace.

“Before you know it, we’ll have a dozen wee ones running around.” Connor loops his arm around Ronni’s shoulder. He gazes at her lovingly. “When are you two going to give Mia a sister or brother?”

Fee wags her finger. “Uh, not for a while. We still have a couple months of construction on The Mission. I’m finalizing the drawings for Gus any day now.”

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