Page 22 of Selah's Wish

Faye’s reads,

“Thank you for being my dad. I love you. Merry Christmas.”

Amelia’s states,

“To the best Dad in the universe. Thank you for being mine. Merry Christmas.”

Last, but not least, I open Hannah’s and a knot forms in my throat when I open it up and digest the words.

“Thank you for choosing me. I always wanted a Dad and am glad you decided to love me back. Merry Christmas, Daddy.”

“Dad,” Nitro hesitantly calls me close to him. “Is this okay to give, Selah?”

When I open it up, my chin falls to my chest. “Yeah, buddy. This is perfect,” I reassure him, reaching up and ruffling his hair. “Love you, buddy.”

“Love you too, Pops.” He reaches over me, simultaneously hugging me and passing Selah her card to her over my shoulder. “This is for you, Mom.”

I twist my head and watch her read it. Tears stream down her face as she hiccups. “Oh, Nitro. Yes, I’ll be your forever Mom.” She stands over me, stretching down and plucking my boy from my arms. “I love you too, son. Merry Christmas.”

EPILOGUE

Butcher

We’reall seated around the table, passing food around as parents fill the kids’ plates as well as their own. I feel a manifestation come up behind me which has my hair standing on end. I’m usually more on guard and know when there’s a foreign presence in the room, especially one nearing me. It’s the only way one can survive in our world. Be aware and cognizant at all times, even during a holiday feast apparently when I shouldn’t have to worry about such things.

“Merry Christmas, brother,” a feminine voice whispers into my ear. My entire body jars as I whip around and see my sister, Wyatt, and Willow standing there.

“Joce,” I choke out. “You’re here!” I gather her and the kids into my arms, my face buried into her stomach. “Are you okay?” I scan her over, and other than some old bruises that have turned an ugly shade of yellow, she appears to be whole and uninjured.

“I've been better,” she tells me.

“Nobody will ever hurt you again, sis,” I avow. “You hungry?”

“Famished,” she answers, her eyes swinging to Dragon. “Hey, big brother.”

“Hey, back at you, little sister. How about you coming over here and giving me some love too,” he commands.

With tears in her eyes, she abandons me and rushes over and buries herself in Dragon’s arms, weeping. Wyatt and Willow watch their mother with critical eyes, hoping that nobody here betrays her and raises a hand in her direction.

“She’s safe. You all are,” I assure them. “Come on, let’s get you two plates. Want to sit over there with Nitro?”

The kids decided they didn’t want to sit with us adults, they have more fun without us hovering over them, making them mind their manners. So we set up a card table a few feet away from us, still within our line of sight, but far enough away they feel grown up.

They nod their heads yes to my question, so Selah and I jump up and start showing them what’s available. The menu is vast, and their eyes shine when they’re given choices. Once we have them settled, I watch as Laney reintroduces Joce to the triplets since she hasn’t seen them in a year, she’s missed all of their milestones and they’ve grown by leaps and bounds.

Nearly unrecognizable.

Laney moves over, emptying her chair, placing Joce between herself and Dragon to make sure my sister isn’t feeling uncomfortable around all the new faces surrounding her.

“To family,” Selah says, lifting her wine glass and tinkling it against my beer bottle.

“To family,” I repeat, leaning over and giving her a kiss, one full of claims and promises. “Love you, Lah.”

“Love you too, Butcher.”

We decided against exchanging gifts with one another this year. Instead, we’ll give each other something each month, something that’s not necessarily a physical gift, but one that’s significant, monumental, and meaningful. Something that shows our true feelings—ones that can’t be expressed on one singular day.

Each month throughout the year, we have a date night planned. One that won’t include kids. We may give each other a token of our love, or we may just cuddle up in bed, talking. Those are some of the most insightful nights I’ve experienced with her.

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