Page 96 of Everlasting Love

The front door bangs open, and little footsteps sound on the timber floor. I quickly look at Rose. “Please keep this between us for now.”

She nods as Jasmine barrels through the doorway. “Daddy! Look what I made for you today.” She makes a beeline for me, waving a piece of paper above her head, as if she hasn’t even noticed that Rose is sitting at the table.

I chuckle as she climbs onto my lap and holds the paper an inch from my face. “Let me see.” I take it from her, and as soon as I can see the image clearly, my heart explodes with joy.

“It’s a picture of you hugging me and Mommy on the back porch. See.” She points at the figures and grins at me. “It’s our family.” I swallow past the thickness in my throat, and with a trembling hand, I pull her back into me, tightening my hold on her to keep me grounded to stop myself from floating away. The smile drops from her face and it fills with concern. “Do you like it?”

I shake my head slightly. “I don’t like it, Angel,” I say as her chin trembles. “I love it. I love that you’ve drawn a picture ofourfamily. This is the most special gift you could have made for me.” Her smile returns, and she twists her body, flinging her arms around my neck. I return her embrace, and when I glance up, Rose and Vi are both watching us closely, their hands clenched tightly over their hearts.

Holding out my hand to Vi, she makes her way around the table and I wrap my arm around her hips and draw her in tight, pressing a kiss to her stomach. “How was your day?”

“It wasn’t as good as this moment right here.” She leans down and kisses my lips but pulls away too soon.

“I’m hungry, Mommy.”

“Don’t I even get a hello?” Rose pretends to be affronted but the smile she’s trying to hide gives her away.

Jasmine scrambles off my lap and races around the table. “I’m sorry, Gramma. I didn’t mean to forget you.”

Rose opens her arms wide and welcomes her granddaughter with a chuckle. Vi and I step into the kitchen to make an afternoon snack, and then we sit around the table while Jas fills us in on her day.

34

SHANE

As I washthe last dish from breakfast, Vi snakes her arms around my waist from behind and presses a kiss between my shoulder blades. I’ll never tire of having her hands and mouth on me. “How would you feel about a picnic in the park today?”

I turn my head to the side to look at her over my shoulder. “It’s a nice day out. I think it’s a great idea and Jas will enjoy it.”

She grins at me. “I thought that, too.” Her lips make contact with my shoulder and the rhythm of my heart spikes at the simple gesture. “Let’s surprise her.”

“Okay.” I lean down and press a kiss to her lips and then we set about packing everything we’ll need and loading it into the car while Jasmine’s out back checking on the veggies with Lloyd in tow.

When they come back inside, Vi collects the vegetables they’ve gathered from Lloyd and takes them to the sink. “We need to stop by my work real quick. Do you want to come with us or stay here with Gramma and Lloyd?”

Without taking a moment to think about her answer, Jasmine responds, “I want to come with you. Can we go for a walk too? Please, Mommy.”

Vi makes a big production about thinking about it. “I guess we could. Go put some long pants and boots on and grab your hat.”

With a cheer, Jas sprints up the stairs to her bedroom and returns less than a minute later, wearing her favorite hat. In the mudroom, she drops to her butt and pulls on her boots. “I’m ready!”

“All right, go and say goodbye to Gramma and Lloyd and meet us at the car.”

“Okay, Mommy.”

Once Jas is out of earshot, Violet laughs. “She has no clue about our plans. I love doing little things to surprise her.”

I chuckle, pull Vi into me, and lead her outside. “That’s what makes you such a great mom.”

The screen door slams and Jas calls out as she runs across the grass. “I’m here!”

I bend down, scoop her up, put her in her booster seat, secure her seatbelt, and close the door, then check that Violet has her seatbelt on too. On the drive, we play classic rock and when I look in the rearview mirror I smile at the sight that greets me as Jas rocks out to an Eagles classic.

We pull into the parking lot nearest to the place Vi wants to have our surprise picnic, and Jas kicks her feet against the seat. “I love this place, Mommy!” I release Jas from her booster seat and she scrambles out of the car, gripping my hand tightly and pulling me along. “Come and see the stream, Daddy. It’s so pretty.”

I chuckle when she freezes as her eyes land on the picnic basket in Vi’s hand. “Surprise!”

Jas’s eyes light up and she jumps up and down on the spot. “I love picnics.” She grabs my hand again. “Come on, Daddy. Let’s go.”

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