Page 92 of Breaking
She laughed, shaking her head.
Meanwhile, Hunter was growing fast and had become Troy's constant companion on his runs. Toilet training was ... interesting and not without the occasional hiccup. One morning, Troy walked into the bathroom and stopped dead in his tracks. "Oh, come on, Hunter! Seriously?" he groaned, staring at the massive pile on the tile floor.
Hunter wagged his tail, looking completely unbothered by his crime.
Jenna peeked in and immediately burst into laughter. "Wow. That's... impressive. A"
Troy shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I spend hours walking you, Hunter. Hours. And you do this? Inside?"
Hunter let out a small whine, his ears drooping slightly, though the wagging tail betrayed his lack of remorse.
Jenna grinned, leaning against the doorway. "Guess you're not as alpha in this household as you think."
Troy shot her a deadpan look. "Ha ha. Very funny."
With a resigned sigh, he grabbed some paper towels. "You better not do this again, or you're sleeping outside."
Hunter merely thumped his tail and flopped onto his back, belly up, looking too adorable to stay mad at. Jenna watched them, her laughter softening into something more reflective. There was no doubt in her mind anymore-Troy had changed. They had changed. Toilet training had been an interesting challenge, but Troy had persevered, spending hours walking with him. The bond between them was undeniable. Hunter had even taken to sleeping at the foot of their bed but usually tried to crawl under the covers as the night went on. This, however, was one boundary Troy had firmly set for his beloved dog.
Max and Lilly flitted in and out of their lives, their university studies consuming most of their time. The workload was intense, and between assignments, exams, and social obligations, they barely had time for themselves. Yet, despite the demands of university life, they made it a point to visit on weekends, craving the warmth and familiarity of home. They had grown even closer to Jenna and Troy, their bond deepening with each visit, their conversations filled with laughter, shared frustrations about coursework, and moments of quiet understanding.
Jenna and Troy had been secretly discussing adopting Dylan and Dani legally. The thought had once felt impossible, but now, it felt like the next step in what they were building together.
That night, Dani was off at a sleepover at Rhiann's, leaving Jenna and Troy with a rare quiet evening together. But as she lay in bed withTroy right next to her, his glasses perched on his nose, typing away on his laptop, she couldn't help but think about how things had changed. The lines between their lives were blurring, shifting, settling into something new. Something she hadn't entirely expected-a love and friendship like no other.
Epilogue
Afew years later
The hall was bathed in golden light, the warm hues casting a soft glow over the gathered friends and family. Stained glass windows lined the church, their vibrant reds, blues, and golds casting soft, ethereal hues on the people below. Troy adjusted his cufflinks, standing at the edge of the aisle, his gaze fixed ahead as he held Lilly's arm. At fifty, he was still striking, his sharp features carrying the same effortless charm that had always turned heads. He stood tall and proud, the navy vest beneath his suit accentuating his lean, athletic frame.
Jenna sat in the front pew, watching through misty eyes as Lilly walked with Troy towards the altar. Her daughter-her little girl-now a stunning bride in an ethereal gown, lace and tulle floating around her as if spun from dreams. Her steps were measured but eager, her fingers clutching the bouquet as she neared Josh, who was already blinking rapidly, his emotions barely contained. Beside her, Hunter sat quietly, a small miracle in itself, his massive frame still and silent for once during the ceremony.
Beside Jenna, Oliver, Max, and Dylan stood as best men, the three of them forming an impressive line. Dylan, now towering over everyone at 6'4", had taken after his father's strong build. He was studying architecture at university, but for today, his focus was solely on his sister. Dani stood among the bridesmaids, along with Grant's children, their pastel dresses soft and delicate against the grandeur of the ceremony. Jenna glanced over to see Margaret, lips pressedtogether but silent, and Victoria, watching with a rare softness in her eyes.
The ceremony passed in a blur of vows and heartfelt promises, and by the time the reception began, the air was thick with laughter and celebration. As the toasts commenced, Troy stood, glass in hand, eyes flicking toward the index cards he held.
"Every couple faces their own struggles," he began, his voice rich with emotion. "But the ones who make it, the ones who truly last, are the ones who fight through it. Who choose each other, over and over again." His gaze lingered on Lilly, then flickered-just briefly-to Jenna. "And Lilly, my girl, I have watched you grow into a woman I am endlessly proud of." He swallowed, glancing at the card before setting it down. "Josh, mate, if you ever forget how lucky you are, remember my gun collection-" he lifted his glass, "I know where to find you." The laughter was immediate, the tension breaking as Josh grinned, raising his hands in surrender.
The evening wound down slowly. The newlyweds had left, their car decorated with ribbons and streamers, and only a few stragglers remained. The music had softened, the once-bustling floor now scattered with a handful of guests still swaying in the dim light.
Jenna was about to slip away when she felt a warm presence beside her.
"May I have this dance?"
She turned, finding Troy standing there, his expression unreadable yet familiar. He extended a hand, and after a pause, she took it. AsFor the first timeby Kenny Loggins played softly from the speakers, they moved together, the years of tension, love, and loss settling into the space between them.
Troy held her close, his breath warm against her hair. His arms encircled her, strong and steady, the way they once had so many years ago.
"Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the music.
Jenna only smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. She didn't ask for what. She didn't need to.
Across the hall, Hunter-now massive-snuck another bit of food from an abandoned plate, but for once, he remained quiet, a small miracle in itself. The night slowed, the weight of years settling lightly over them, and as Jenna swayed in Troy's arms, she realized how easily she could have taken another path, but she was grateful she had taken the one that led to him.
As for Lila…
The restaurant was all velvet booths, moody lighting, and the kind of wine list that came in leather-bound tomes. A string quartet played near the mezzanine, and the floor staff glided like trained dancers. Everything about the evening screamed elegance-but none of it compared to the glow on Jenna’s face.
