Page 51 of Merrily Mine
“Come on, you two,” Hunter said when we finally pulled apart. “It’s getting cold. Let’s go inside and open presents with the rest of our family.”
Our family.A warmth spread through me, because for the first time, Mason was included in that too. For the first time, I wasn’t the single sister with no significant other.
I grinned, and then let out a cackle. “I’m apologizing in advance for the presents I bought your children,” I told them. Kids’ toys wereadorable, and I’d gone all out. As the only aunt—since both Angelina and Gabbi only had brothers—I was trying to secure mystatus as thecool aunt. “Actually, you know, I’m not sorry.”
We all laughed as we headed inside, back to the house that was filled with more love and laughter than it felt like it ever had been.
And all I could think wasyes,I want more of this. More laughter, more love, more life. I wanted another tiny pair of feet running around here, but this pair belonging to Mason and me.
I wanted to put in the work, and I wanted to thank God for giving me this man every single day.
So that’s what I was going to do.
One day at a time.
17
mason
Iwas in a staring contest with Hunter and Benjamin’s wives, and Ireallywasn’t sure what was going on. I’d never had a sister—maybe this is what it was like.
Both women were downright terrifying.
After Emily had slipped out of bed, I’d gotten up and come to the kitchen, starting breakfast for the whole family. Even though I’d known Hunter and Benjamin my entire life—and had considered the Sullivans like a second family—I wanted to impress them. I wanted them to see that I could be good for Emily, that I would take care of her and provide for her.
Even if she didn’t need it, there was nothing I wouldn’t do to prove that I was right for her. A year ago, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be lucky enough to find someone again. To fall in love, to find someone who wanted all the same things as me. A life, marriage, a family.
But now it all felt in reach again. Craning my neck, I looked out the window.
My girl was outside, cuddled up under a blanket on the back porch with her brothers. Hunter and Benjamin had nodded atme before heading out to join her, taking a seat on either side of the porch swing.
Pancakes were on the griddle when their wives had joined me downstairs, babies in tow. The twins looked like spitting images of Benjamin, dark hair with Angelina’s brilliant blue eyes, while baby Quinlan was the perfect blend of both of her parents, brown hair pulled up into two tiny pigtails and a smattering of freckles on her cheeks.
God, I hoped our kids would be just as cute. It was way too early to be thinking about that, but I couldn’t help but smile thinking about our conversation last night. Telling her I loved her had been incredible.
And knowing she loved me too? That she wanted the things I wanted?
That made the standoff I was currently in way easier to deal with.
“So… is one of you gonna say somethin’, or is this just a stare-down until I break?” I raised an eyebrow at the two women. Honestly, they were downright terrifying when they wanted to be, especially ganging up on me.
They looked at each other, then back at me as I flipped another pancake. “Emily is like our little sister, you know,” Angelina started, crossing her arms over her chest.
I nodded. Once upon a time, I would have said that too.
When had it stopped being true? Maybe when I’d met her again for the first time as an adult. She was such a strong, independent woman who seemed to sparkle wherever she went. Emily had traveled all over the world, sharing herself with hundreds of thousands of people online, and yet I’d never seen her have a bigger smile than when she was on top of her horse, riding through the Montana countryside covered in a fresh dusting of snow.
“I care about her,” I told them, not wanting to hold back. “This isn’t just some fling—not for either of us. It’s real.”
Angelina picked at her perfectly manicured red nails. I could almost imagine her sharpening them and using them as little tiny blades.
Gabbi gave me a soft smile. “You love her.”
I ran my hand through my hair, looking out the window at her. “Yeah. I do. With all my heart and with all that I am. I wanna do right by her, you know? Give her everything she wants.”
They both looked at each other, nodded, and then smiled at me. “Welcome to the family, Mason. We’re glad Em seems to have found a good one. And we’re happy to have you.”
“Thank you.” I cleared my throat, trying to hide the fact that I was a little choked up. I hadn’t had a full conversation with Hunter yet—though that would come, as well as Em’s parents once they were back from their tropical vacation—but just the idea of having their blessing meant the world to me. “I won’t hurt her.”
