Page 103 of Forever in the Country

A thousand lifetimes span only a few seconds before my eyes well with tears and I nod.

“Do you?”

“Yeah.” He looks down at the baby. “You’re going to be the best mom.”

Popping up on my toes, I place a lingering kiss on his lips. “I’m not gonna call you daddy.”

His expression is wicked as he looks me over again. “Never say never, Sunshine.”

“Can I have y’all’s attention?” Marlee says over the noise of the party.

She’s glowing.

She’s actually glowing as my brother takes her hand, the goofiest damn smile I’ve ever seen plastered on his face, and my heart launches into my throat. Sorren wraps his arms around my shoulders, his other one still holding the sleeping newborn as we wait.

“We know this is a celebration of new beginning,”—her eyes meet mine and she smiles—“closing that chapter on our past and embracing this beautiful family we’ve made here. I know I speak for Sorren when I say that coming here was the best thing that’s ever happened to us.”

Mama’s already crying and Daddy pulls her against him—the pillar of strength in what promises to be an emotional event.

“We’re thankful,”—her words catch in her throat and she swallows hard, eyes shiny—“for the love we’ve found here.”

“And the chickens!” Otto yells and everyone laughs.

“And the chickens,” Marlee agrees. “I had more to say but…” Her smile is infectious and I cling to Sorren as his eyes lock with his sister and she nods. He stumbles just the smallest bit, but I don’t let go.

Not now and not ever.

“Tell us!” Case shouts, causing hoots and hollers to erupt.

Marlee and Waylon laugh, their eyes meeting for just a moment before looking at Mama. “I hope you have room at your table for one more.” Then, taking a breath, she yells, “Because we’re having a baby!”

Chaos ensues and it’s pure, overwhelming joy, and I can’t wipe my tears away fast enough. Rosie sleeps soundly, completely unbothered by the party going on around her. Reaching up, I brush a tear from Sorren’s cheek, and he nuzzles his face against my palm.

“I’ll take the little one from you if you don’t mind,” my father says as he steps up next to us. Marlee and Waylon haven’t moved an inch as everyone wishes them congratulations.

“Thanks, Dad,” he says and everyone freezes as we let that sink in. Sorren has called my momMama, but he’s never called my father anything but Vincent.

“You let Miss Thelma know I won the pool,” my father tells my mother before pulling Sorren into a half hug and taking the baby from his arms.

Mama rolls her eyes.

“Seriously? You’ve had a decades’ long pool on when I’d pull my head out of my ass?” Sorren asks incredulously.

“Sorren, language,” Mama chides as my brothers sidle up next to her. Otto snickers and Hank cuffs him on the back of the head.

“Ow, what was that for?” Otto whines.

Hank shrugs. “Seemed fitting.”

“No,” my father says seriously, “the pool was to see how long it took you to realize you’d truly come home.” He looks proud as punch as he adds, “Just took makin’ peace with the past and falling in love to figure it out.”

“Nothing major,” Otto adds with a grin then ducks out of Hank’s reach.

Sorren lifts a shoulder. “The most selfless thing they ever did was let us go.” Looking down at me, he whispers, “I’d do it all again to have forever with you.”

“Forever sounds nice.”

“So what do you think, do you still want to be called Uncle Wren?” Marlee says with a cheeky smile.

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