Page 33 of With You

Wordlessly, he strides to the door and opens it up, very obviously answering my question. Space is not an issue for these two.

I’m surprised when I see Deacon’s parents on the other side of the door behind Reese.

“Sorry,” Elaine says. “She was distraught looking for him.” Her hands stroking Reese’s hair, she says, “Look, sweetheart, he’s here. Everything is fine.”

It had been eight years since we let Elaine back into our lives, and it’s been an interesting journey to say the least. I’d personally expected push back after we explained what was required in order to have a relationship with our children, but Elaine respected our boundaries in a way that surprised both Deacon and me.

Words and feelings are not her strong suit and neither is being able to admit defeat. To this day, she has truly never really elaborated or explained when it comes to apologizing to Deacon. But her actions toward Reese and Rowan are those of a changed woman, a humbled woman, an apologetic woman.

And while things still have never been the same between her and Deacon and me, every now and then, like tonight, the walls come down for the sake of the kids.

“What if we do it in here?” Rowan suggests excitedly, looking at Reese. “And then we’ll go and eat cake.”

“Do what in here?” Deacon asks, thoroughly confused.

“Our vows,” Rowan says. “Or your vows. Our family vows?”

His confusion at this makes me laugh, his always-so-serious nature coming through.

“It’s our day,” I remind him. “You, Me, Reese, and Dad. That’s the only thing that matters.”

“Can I at least say them in here and when we cut the cake?” Reese asks.

Looking over them, and at Deacon, I shake my head. “I fear this whole idea has become bigger than I intended.”

Smirking, he shrugs. “Can never have enough love, right?”

“You need a t-shirt, at this point.”

He chews at the corner of his lip. “The t-shirt is not on my priority list right now.”

I drag my gaze up and down the length of his body, loving the simple flush in his cheeks. It reminds me so much of us in the wedding suite on our actual wedding day, and just like now, we’re volleying between heat and heart at every turn.

“Okay, I’m going to start,” Deacon says, glancing around the room, his voice loud. “Rowan and Reese. I promise to love you both unconditionally.”

Reese immediately shoots her hand up in the air. “I promise to never lie.”

“That’s a good start,” I murmur through a smile. “Rowan?”

“I promise to love you all unconditionally.”

My throat bobs at his words, words that weigh heavy and have so much meaning, more than his twelve-year-old heart knows, and my eyes can’t help but move to Elaine and Bill. “Do you want a turn?” I ask her.

“Yes, Grandma,” Reese says excitedly. “Have a turn.”

Her gaze darts between the two kids before landing on Deacon. “I promise to listen and learn.”

I catch the slight nod Deacon gives her, his expression full of appreciation and understanding, before turning his attention to me.

With Reese’s and Rowan’s eyes wide in excitement, I opt for something light hearted to keep the momentum going. “I promise to always share my chocolate with you.” I point at each of them. “All of you.”

“Me too!” Reese shouts. “And I promise to always make my bed.”

“This is the best idea you two have had yet,” Deacon says. “What about emptying the dishwasher and putting away the laundry?”

Rowan pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket. “I have those on my list too.”

This kid is too damn cute.

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