Page 25 of Spring Forward

They’ll want to spoil the little boys who have infused their joy into every corner of the ranch.

Dad lumbers down the steps of the RV first and holds his hand out for Mom who practically swoons at the gesture. I can’t help but grin; the old man has still got it.

Their love was always deeply felt by everyone around them. It’s one of the reasons I was never going to settle for anything less. Dad never looked at another woman once he met Mom and, according to him, he never wanted to. He’s always treated her like a queen and showed us how love is supposed to be, howit should be pervasive and all encompassing until it expands to include the family you grow through that love.

The moment Mom notices us, she lets out a shout of excitement and then is rushing right toward Eden. My soon to be sister, at least officially, looks shocked as she braces for impact. When she’s close enough, Mom wraps Eden up in a tight embrace and looks at Fletcher with tears in her eyes.

“Eden,” Mom breathes out, “I’m so glad you finally came home. Now my son’s heart can beat again.”

Well, shit. My throat tightens a little bit as guilt swims through my veins. Not being around when my big brother needed me the most is a reality I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life. Sure, it’s all worked out, but that doesn’t make it okay.

“Mrs. Burns,” Eden’s voice is thick with emotion, “it’s so good to see you again. I’m sorry it took me so long to come,” her voice breaks, “home.”

Mom grips Eden’s shoulders and pushes her away just enough to look into her eyes. “None of that. Not the guilt and certainly not the Mrs. Burns crap.” The rest of us watching the scene unfold chuckle and Mom’s smile grows. “I’ll always be Ester to you. Or Mom,” she adds on as she wipes a tear from Eden’s cheek.

“Momma,” Macklin’s voice is small as he steps closer to the pair of women, “don’t be sad.”

Mom gasps as Eden looks down at her son with a smile filled with love. True to who she is, Mom doesn’t hesitate to release Eden and scoop Macklin up in her arms. “Well, hello there handsome,” mom trills. “I’m your grandma. We’ll have to come up with a special name for you to call me. Okay?”

Macklin’s mouth falls open as his eyes fill with awe and surprise. “Another grandma?” Mom nods her head, tears shining in her eyes. He leans forward and drops his voice like he has a secret even though he’s still loud enough for all of us to hear, “Do you make cookies too?”

“I make the best cookies,” she insists.

Mack lets out a whoop of joy before he wraps his little arms around her neck and snuggles into her. He startles when Dad comes up next to Mom and wraps an arm around her shoulders. Mack looks at our dad with wide eyes, the questions on his face clear to see.

“Little man,” his voice is deep and thick with emotion he’s barely holding back, “I’m your grandpa.”

“This is the best day,” Macklin cheers without noticing the tears streaming down Eden’s face as Fletcher tucks her into his side.

Dad releases Mom and walks over to Eden to pull her into his arms. His words are whisper soft, but powerful in their meaning, “Thank you and I better never hear you call me Mr. Burns. It’s Clive or Dad.”

Eden’s entire body slumps into Dad and I can feel her relief. It’s a wave that ripples through those of us lucky enough to witness this reunion. Delaney squeezes my hand and when I look down at her she’s blinking rapidly to stop her own tears.

I kiss her temple as I slip my hand from hers and wrap my arm around her to pull her into my side. She fits next to me perfectly and I never want to let her go.

The movement catches Mom and Dad’s attention, their gazes fixed on my woman and August. They study the tableau in frontof them for a moment before Dad smirks and Mom grins so wide she looks almost deranged.

Mom claps her hands together before slapping Dad’s shoulder a few times. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing? Our boy has found a woman, a family,” she gushes.

I huff out a laugh and then step forward, placing my hand on August’s shoulder to lead him closer along with Delaney. “Mom, Dad,” I clear my throat and nod down at my woman, “this is Delaney Reeves. She arrived to help me get the equine therapy program off the ground. I had no idea I’d be knocked on my ass the day she arrived,” I admit with a chuckle. As I squeeze August’s shoulder, deep affection for this boy fills my voice, “This is August, Delaney’s brother who she has been raising for the last eight years and is smart as a whip and an amazing help on the ranch.”

August’s chest puffs up with pride and he takes a step forward with his hand extended toward Dad. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Burns.” Dad’s eyes light up as he shakes the young man’s hand, and I swear Delaney sniffles next to me. “Ma’am,” August offers his hand to Mom. When she gives it over, he surprises the fuck out of me and everyone else when he flips it and kisses it. “It’s lovely to meet you. I hope you like the flowers I helped plant.”

“Well, well, well,” Mom gasps as she blushes slightly, “you have better manners than my boys. I can see Delaney has done an amazing job raising a very sweet and charming young man.”

Dad narrows his eyes playfully and growls with no real heat, “You’re not trying to steal my woman, are you?”

August smirks and shrugs one shoulder like he’s feigning not answering. The laughter that bursts out of all the adultsis something Limitless hasn’t experienced in far too long. Dad grips August and pulls him closer while ruffling his hair.

His voice drops, “You’ll have to give me some pointers later. I like to keep my woman on her toes.”

August giggles and nods as Mom steps closer to my Freckles. Before I can stop it, Mom pulls her out of my arms and into her own. Delaney looks dazed for a moment, but then she wraps her arms around Mom and lets out a sigh filled with the remnants of grief and pain, but also relief.

“You, my girl,” Mom murmurs, “are a treasure. I can already tell. Not only because of the boy you’ve raised, but because you’ve made my son smile again.” She pulls back and stares into Delaney’s eyes, her words filled with sincerity, “Thank you.”

“I’m not sure I did anything,” my Freckles tries to deflect.

Mom shakes her head, not letting her get away with it, before linking their arms together and pulling her toward the house and pinching Huxley’s cheek as she passes. “Now,” she speaks loud enough for everyone to hear, “I want to hear all about this equine therapy program and the wedding preparations. Is there food?”

---