Page 65 of The One I Want
Emerson drops the books and leaps into my arms. I don’t think Emerson has ever hugged me this hard before. She didn’t even hug me like this after I told off her mother. “I’m glad you like them.”
“I love them,” she whispers. “Thank you. For everything.”
And now I’m full-on crying. I hurry and wipe them away and catch Wes, sitting on my couch. Shit, is he crying too? I can’t handle it if he is. I know men say they can’t stand to see a woman cry, but a man secure enough to cry in front of people is just hot as hell.
“Hank! Magnolia! Grab your presents!”
I use the time to gather myself, and I think Wes does too. We lock eyes and have an entire silent conversation. At least, I hope he understands what I’m trying to say. I want to thank him, not just for today, but for hiring me. For letting me be a part of this. For taking a chance on us. When I came to Rolling Hills, I was looking for something different. I never thought it would come in the package that is Wes Taylor and family.
“There’s one more present,” Hank announces. “Daddy? Who’s this for?”
He nods over to me. “It’s from me to Betsy.”
I give him a look. “I thought we weren’t exchanging presents?”
“Did we say that? I must have forgotten.”
I shoot him a look that clearly says I’m going to get him back for this. I honestly have no clue what it is. We talked about the kids' gifts, because we wanted to make sure we got everything on their lists, but that was it.
I drop the box as soon as I see what’s inside of it. My hand goes over my mouth, and the tears I thought I got rid of moments earlier are now back with a vengeance.
Because Wes Taylor got me a Bratz doll.
“How?”
He shrugs. “You asked Santa for it. I happen to have a line with the big guy. We made things happen.”
I stare at the box for I don’t know how long. I can’t believe he did this. I can’t believe he remembered.
“Do you like your presents?” Magnolia asks.
I put down the box and hug her so tight I don’t think she can breathe. “Oh, sweetie. This is the best Christmas ever.”
Before I know it, all the kids are gathered around me in a group hug. I look up to Wes, who has his phone out, making sure to get a photo of this moment.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He puts the phone down and comes down on the floor with the rest of us. He wraps us all in a hug that starts off sweet, but quickly escalates to some sort of tickle war.
I sit back and watch the four of them. This. This is what family is about. If I had any guilt about not going to Birmingham today, it is gone like a puff of smoke.
Because I wouldn’t trade this day for all the presents in the world.
Chapter25
Wes
Growing up,my brothers and I were always allowed to stay up to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. It was our favorite night of the year. We used to get pizza, junk food, soda, and everything else we could think of for an epic night. We’d play cards, board games, and Dick Clark would be on in the background. As we got older, we started inviting friends over until it became a tradition to do New Year’s at my parents’ house.
And tonight, that tradition picks back up.
I always wanted to do this with my kids. But she-who-will-now-not-be-named always put her foot down. I forget what her reason was. I stopped asking for it after the fifth year she said no.
Well, that was then. This is now. And this New Year’s Eve, I’m all about leaving the past exactly where it belongs. All I care about is the future.
“Uno!” Oliver yells, smacking down a red five on the table. “Your move, little man.”
Hank looks over his cards, his nose wrinkled as he deeply thinks about how he wants to play this.
