Page 91 of Accepted Precedent
“We can’t, it’ll ruin Evie’s reputation.”
“It won’t,” Evelyn insists, carefully taking Brandon from me. He burrows his sweet face into the crook of her neck. “The babies aren’t going to understand anything for a few years, but I want you to be there for the first time they crawl, their first words, and, well… all of their firsts. I know we should’ve asked you beforehand, but I figured you’d be fine with me living here with you. If you’re not?—”
I take her face in my hands and bring her soft lips to mine. How she could ever doubt how much I want her—need her—is absolute madness.
“Everyone will be keeping a low-profile for at least a year. But there’s something else,” Andrew offers. “I kind of have my hands full, but there’s a folder on the dresser you’ll want to see.”
I press a final kiss to Evelyn’s cheek and search the room for it. I open the folder, and my heart leaps out of my damn chest. Divorce decree. I sift through the papers and can’t believe my eyes—Andrew and Evelyn are legally divorced.
“What did you do?”
“What does it look like we did?” Evie laughs. “We’ll keep up appearances in public for a while when needed, then announce the separation. Kristin assured me she’ll handle the optics, showing Andrew and me as amazing co-parents. It’s been a decade of torture for all of us. We’re done, Mick.”
I’m combing through the documents, still stunned, as Andrew adds, “I’ll have the room on the other side for whenever you want me here. If you need help for the first few months to get adjusted, that’s fine, but I’ll eventually need to get back to Maryland.”
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
Evie comes up behind me, pressing her palm to my back as a tear slips down my cheek. “The room needs to air out for another day, so there are two bassinets in our room. Why don’t we go outside for a bit while you process everything?”
My heart thunders in my chest. I turn and take her in my arms, careful to not crush Brandon. “I love you—all of you.” I lock eyes with Andrew. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Can you take Grace for a moment? I need to check on something.” He passes her to me and rushes out the door. We follow, but Evie guides me to the master next door.
“It’s a little chilly out. I’ll need to bundle these two up.” She sets Brandon into one of the small cribs beside the bed. He fusses, but only for a moment before settling. I do the same with Grace. Evie wraps a swaddling blanket around them, then heads to the walk-in closet.
She’s in there for a while, and I peek inside to see what’s taking so long. Changed out of her leggings and sweatshirt, she’s now wearing an ivory satin dress that lands at her knees.
“Aren’t you a little dressed up?”
“Aren’t you a little dressed down?” she counters, drinking me in.
“Are we expecting company?”
“Maybe.” Evie bites her lip, and I’m tempted to put her over my knee if she doesn’t stop with the surprises today. She hands me a navy suit and white shirt, no tie. “I’ll get the babies changed, then meet you outside.”
“What are you up to, angel?”
“You’ll see,” she sings, lifting onto her toes to kiss me.
She saunters off, and once she’s bundled up the twins, she calls for Andrew. They take Grace and Brandon while I get dressed. As I reach for a pair of socks from my drawer, my eyes catch on the little teal box from the day Evie found out she was pregnant. My heart twists, wishing I could’ve given her both boxes that day. This one will have to wait a little longer. I shove it deeper into the drawer, then quickly change, and with a final check in the mirror, I walk out to join them.
There’s faint music and chatter from a few people coming from outside. As I’m about to open the sliding door, Finn stops me.
“Almost forgot…”
“What’s going on?” He pins something to my jacket, and I glance down to find a single red rose. “Finn, what’s going on?” He still doesn’t answer me. “Finn,” I growl, a little more forceful this time.
“Do you want to spend the rest of your life with Evelyn?”
“Yes,” I reply without hesitation.
“Good.”
He turns on his heel, leaving me with more questions than answers. I open the patio door, and red rose petals are scattered on the ground, leading to four chairs. Evelyn’s off to the side, holding Grace and talking with Kristin and Andrew. He’s holding Brandon, and when he spots me, a wide grin paints his face. Everyone I love is here. Chills dance down my limbs as a priest appears where the petals end.
Finn steps beside me and whispers, “It’s time, brother.”
“Is this? It can’t be…”
