Page 49 of Moore to Love

“What’re you guys doing here?” Finn asked.

“It seemed as though something might be wrong when you ended our call so abruptly,” Patty explained.

“So she shoved me into the car and told me that we had to come over right away,” Bruce added.

“It turned out that I was right, didn’t it?” Patty asked with a shrug.

“Yes, dear,” Bruce sighed.

“When does school let out nowadays?” Patty asked, rubbing her hands together. “I can’t wait to meet Benjamin and Madison, too.”

“Not until two,” I answered.

“Darn.” Her shoulders slumped. “We have plans this afternoon, so I guess I’ll have to wait for another day. Unless you’d all like to come over for dinner tonight? I can make anything you want.”

I was touched by her offer and quickly accepted. “That would be lovely, but you don’t need to do anything special. The kids and I aren’t picky eaters.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Just ask Finn, I like to cook with my dinner guests in mind.”

Finn nodded. “I think she keeps a list of everyone’s favorite dishes so she knows what to make whenever we come over.”

“Except for my boys. Those I know by heart,” she boasted. Hooking her arm through Bruce’s, she tugged him back down the steps. “We’d better run over to the store for supplies. Send me a text so I know what to make. For dessert, too.”

As they climbed back into the car, I beamed a smile at Finn. “I think your mom likes me.”

“Of course she does, baby.” He tugged me inside the house and kicked the door shut behind us. “You’re quite likable, and we love each other.”

“Yeah, well,” I sighed. “I’m pretty sure Thad’s parents only tolerated me because they thought we wouldn’t stay together since we were so young when we started dating.”

“Then I guess it’s a good thing that my mom and dad are a fuck of a lot smarter than them.” His lips curved into a satisfied smirk. “And they raised me to treat people right, especially the ones I love.”

“Thank goodness for that.”

The highs and lows of the past day had left me reeling. So much had happened in such a short time. Finn and I had professed our love for each other. My ex-husband had tried to win me back and earned himself a bloody nose for it. I had gotten myself a posse of girlfriends. My children were happy to see Finn at our house this morning, a major milestone in our relationship. And his parents had welcomed me to the Moore family with open arms.

Life with Finn would never be boring…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

EPILOGUE

FINN

Watching my beautiful wife walk across the stage to accept her diploma filled me with more pride than I’d felt when I received my doctorate in veterinary medicine. She had overcome so many obstacles to get where she was today. And none of it had dimmed her brightness.

Her parents and my family surrounded Benjamin, Madison, and me as we all surged to our feet to cheer Ellie on. We were louder than anyone else had been before her name was announced, which made her laugh and shake her head.

The rest of the ceremony went by painfully slow, but eventually, it was over, and we met her outside.

“Congratulations, baby.”

“Thank you, honey.” She beamed a smile at me, her skin practically glowing with happiness.

Benjamin gave her a hug, the top of his head already coming up to her shoulder after his most recent growth spurt. “Good job, Mom.”

“You looked so pwetty up there, Mommy,” Madison complimented as she reached for her mom’s hand.

Her mom pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m so proud of you, sweetie.”

“Are you ready to put that accounting degree to good use?” Ryland asked. “Because Waverly and I are more than ready to hand the bookkeeping for the practice over to you.”

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