Page 81 of The Forever Game

Tears smart my eyes, and I blink to stop them falling. “So, we’re good, then?”

“Yeah, we’re good.” She sucks in a shaky breath. “I don’t suppose you have time to swing past the hospital so I can give you a big ol’ hug, do you?”

“I would, but…” I look to Liam and drink in his warm gaze. We share a smile, and he nods, so I tell her. “But right now we’re on our way to pick up two foster children. They need a home, and?—”

“Oh my gosh, that’s amazing!” Caroline’s voice pitches. “You will be the sweetest, kindest foster mother out there. I’m so happy you’re doing this.”

“Thanks.” I brush a hand across my eye, catching the tears before they can fall. “I’m really nervous. I’m going from no kids to two, and I’m not sure if I’m cut out for it.”

“You totally are. You are an amazing woman with a mother’s heart. Those kids are so lucky to have you and Liam.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.” I can hear the smile in Caroline’s voice, but then it drops to a serious lilt. “And I know you’re probably scared that you’re going to fall in love with them and they might get taken away from you, but Ray… you gotta have faith.”

I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

“Now, tell me everything you know about these cherubs. What are their names? How old are they? What’s the situation?”

A soft laugh punches out of me, and I quickly give her the rundown on three-year-old Carlos and his baby sister, Lucia, who has just turned seven months. I don’t know much, but by the time I end the call, I am beyond ready to meet these kids.

“We’re going to get to be mamas together. It makes me want to move back to Nolan just so we can have regular playdates!” Caroline exclaims.

I laugh along with her and am smiling by the time we hang up. I promised to come visit her at the hospital once our new kids are settled, and I’m actually excited to do it.

Liam starts the car, and the nerves kick in all over again.

Five minutes later, we’re pulling up to the house, and I’m pretty sure I’ve stopped breathing.

“This is it, cariña. Time for you to meet our new foster kids.”

“Okay,” I whisper, my head bobbing erratically as I step out of the car and take Liam’s hand. We walk up the sidewalk together, and I fidget with the buckle of my handbag while we wait for the social worker to answer the door.

“Hello there.” She greets us with a bright smile. “Come on in. I’m so glad you were able to come today. I don’t usually have kids stay with me, but our temporary foster family is already full, and I’ve been scrambling to find a placement for these kids. You two are a godsend.”

I barely register what she’s saying, my ears straining to hear sounds of small children. The second I detect a soft baby coo, my heart is catapulted right into that room. I round the corner, and there they are.

The boy is sitting on the floor, protectively hovering near his sister, who’s propped up in a U-shaped pillow. She’s obviously just learning to sit, and I kneel down with a smile as I watch her little arms flap about while she sucks on a plastic rattle.

“Hello,” I say softly, capturing the boy’s attention.

His head jerks up, and he stares at me with wide eyes. The toy train in his hand freezes midair as he takes me in.

Liam crouches down behind me and waves. “Hola, Carlos.”

The boy studies him with a silent stare, his big brown eyes so young and vulnerable. He obviously recognizes Liam but is trying to figure out if it’s safe to relax around him.

Liam’s smile is kind, and he gently starts talking to the boy in Spanish. This seems to relax Carlos, and when he asks to see Carlos’s train, the boy holds it out for him, a smile twitching the edges of his mouth.

Liam takes the train and starts making exaggerated choo-choo noises, driving the engine around in circles. Carlos smiles and shifts position, angling his body toward Liam. My gaze shifts to little Lucia, who’s gazing at me with these pale brown eyes that make my heart squeeze.

“Hola, little one.” I hold out my hand and she grabs my finger, pulling it toward her mouth and slobbering all over the end of it.

I laugh, and her chubby cheeks bloom with a smile.

My heart bursts with instant affection.

Carlos spins to check on her and gives me a cautious look before crawling back toward her, resting his little hand on her shoulder in a protective gesture that tugs on all my heartstrings.

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