Page 97 of Wildflower and Whiskey
I ran a hand through my hair. Words were never my strength; I built things instead. But what I wanted to say needed to be built with words.
“I love you,” I said simply. “I’ve probably loved you longer than I’ve admitted, even to myself. I just… I didn’t know what to do with it before.”
Her lips parted, surprise flickering there before it softened into something deeper. “Phoenix…”
“I mean it,” I said. “I’ve spent my whole life protecting things: my brothers, this land, the brewery. But you and Braden… you’re not something I need to protect. You’re what I want to live for.”
Tears gathered, fast and hot. “You can’t say things like that when I’m holding it together by a thread.”
I smiled. “You’re stronger than you think, Wildflower.”
She laughed through the tears, shaking her head. “You always think I’m strong.”
“I know you are.” I paused, thumb brushing her cheek. “And that’s why I want to ask you something.”
“Okay…” she said slowly, wary but curious.
“I know Braden isn’t mine by blood,” I said, voice low. “Riley gave him life, but you both gave me something I didn’t even know I needed. Every time he calls me ‘Da,’ I feel like I’ve been handed a second chance at being the man I want to be.”
Her breath hitched. “Phoenix…”
“I want to make it official,” I said. “I want to adopt him. Be his father in every way that matters.”
The silence that followed was thick. Braden dropped a
and giggled like the universe was laughing with him.
Elyna stared at me, eyes wide, shining. “You mean that?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I want to be his dad. And I want you to be my wife, but that isn’t a marriage proposal. I can do better than this. I just wanted you to know where I stand. I didn’t want to waste another minute.”
She covered her mouth, tears spilling over now. “I’ve never felt this way before, Phoenix. I’ve made such terrible mistakes. You and Braden are the only right choices I’ve ever made. I love you, Phoenix Thorne, and saying that out loud should scare me, but it makes me feel free.” She ended on a half sob, half laugh.
“Come here,” I said, roping her in close to me by her waist. I kissed her like she was my forever. We kissed until Braden banged his spoon hard and we both turned toward him, laughing. He beamed at us, saying something that sounded almost like “Yay.”
“See?” I said, brushing Elyna’s cheek. “He approves.”
She reached for Braden, kissed his forehead. “You hear that, baby? You’ve got two parents now who love you more than anything.”
Braden squealed and clapped, which seemed like a good enough signature for now.
I looked at them, at her holding him, sunlight cutting through her hair, and felt something I’d never felt before. Not just peace. Not even happiness. Belonging.
“We’ll need to start the paperwork,” I said, trying to sound practical, even as my chest felt like it might split open.
“We’ll talk to Pierre?” she said.
I nodded. “He’ll help. I know the process: all the background checks, home visits, all that. I don’t care how long it takes. I just want it done.”
She leaned into me. “Phoenix Thorne, official father.”
“Has a nice ring to it,” I said.
We stood there with Braden between us, the three of us a messy, beautiful tangle of hope and tired hearts. Outside, frost glittered on the orchard. The chime Dad had installed pinged softly when the wind nudged the porch door, but it wasn’t an alarm anymore.
Elyna brushed a hand through Braden’s hair. “He’s going to grow up here,” she said softly. “Safe. Loved. Knowing exactly who he is.”
“Yeah,” I said, voice thick. “He’s going to grow up knowing his dad built him a home, and his mom taught him how to live in it.”
