Page 98 of Legacy

“No vegetablesanddessert for dinner.” I grin. “You’re spoiling me.”

Bea rolls her eyes dramatically, shaking her head. “Make a wish, Daddy.”

Wishes used to be a lot easier to come by because everything seemed impossible, even in the eyes of the universe. But as I stop in front of the cake and look down at the candles, I can’t think of anything else I need in this moment.

I blow out the candles, and smoke curls from the wicks.

“What did you wish for?” Bea bounces in her seat.

“It’s a secret.”

Margaret nudges Bea’s shoulder. “He can’t tell you, or it won’t come true.”

Bea frowns, but Margaret distracts her with the promise of cake, leading her to the kitchen table while Reagan cuts it.

The knife slides to the center as she serves perfect slices of chocolate cake. First to Bea, then Margaret, and finally me. A plate slides across the counter in my direction, and I realize I’ve been standing here staring at her.

“Happy Birthday, Jesse.” Her smile has my throat tightening.

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

It’s been so long since I’ve cared to celebrate my birthday because every year adds to the list of things I’m doing wrong. But standing here with Reagan, I wonder if this is how it should feel. Like there’s something more worth celebrating.

“Only ten candles, huh?”

“We didn’t want to burn the place down,” Reagan teases, shooting me a wink.

“Thirty-two isn’t old.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Brat.”

Reagan bites her lower lip, knowing exactly what she’s doing. Baiting me so I’ll make her pay for it later. Game on.

We sit down for cake, and Bea finishes first, only getting through half her piece. She drags Reagan into the living room to toss balloons around, leaving me with Margaret in the kitchen.

“How you feeling?” I ask Margaret.

She stopped after her first bite, pushing the cake around on her plate after that.

“Better than yesterday.” Her smile is hollow.

“Have you changed your mind about the trial? The doctor said—”

She waves her hand. “I know what they said. And adding another six months of misery isn’t worth it when I can spend time actually enjoying the ones I have left.”

We’ve been in circles about this because, in my mind, more time is more time. But I grit my teeth and keep it to myself when I know she’s right. Living at the hospital isn’t living. Which is why I promised to bring her here and help her make the best of her time.

“You’ve become quite fond of my niece,” Margaret says, watching Reagan and Bea toss a balloon back and forth across the living room.

“You noticed?”

“You two aren’t as discreet as you think, Jesse. I lived a whole life before you were even born. You can’t fool me.”

Chuckling, I wipe my hair off my forehead. “Reagan’s just… there’s something about her.”

“There is.” Margaret nods. “Reagan’s always handed her whole heart to people. She takes care of everyone around her. Even when she was a little girl, nothing was ever half-in for her. She’s two feet in the water or nothing at all.”

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