Page 29 of Birthday Boy

Cole glares at him before grabbing our daughter. The four-year-old twins have wildly different personalities. Abbie reminds me a lot of Jensen at her age, never sitting still and super talkative. Amber is more quiet and reserved, almost a replica of her father.

“Congratulations! My baby is a college graduate,” I smile at Jensen.

He rolls his eyes. “Not your baby anymore, mom.”

“I’m not a baby! I’m a big girl.” Abbie exclaims.

Cole shakes his head as he pulls Jensen into a hug. Things have improved over the years, but their friendship never returned to what it was. “Congrats, dude.”

“Thanks.” Jensen returns with a genuine smile. “Feels weird. It’s kind of like, now what?” he taps Abbie’s nose and then moves to hug me too.

Amber reaches out for Jensen to hold her, and he pulls her into his chest, bouncing softly as she cuddles into his shoulder. His face softens as he stares down at his quiet little sister.

“Now you have all the time to figure it out,” I tell him, my heart bursting as I glance between my family.

Cole shrugs. “Find a girl, knock her up, start a family. Worked out great for me.”

“Oh my god!” I smack Cole’s arm.

Abbie points her finger at me. “Hitting is bad, mommy.”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have hit daddy. I’m sorry.” I hold up my hands.

“Unless daddy is into that kind of thing. That why you went for an older woman?” Jensen sneers.

My cheeks heat. “I think I liked it better when you guys didn’t joke about our relationship.”

They exchange a glance before cracking up, and I shake my head, even if I can’t help but smile back. My throat tightens with an overwhelming gratitude for what the three of us have overcome in the past few years. Most of it is for my son’s forgiveness of our betrayal. I know that it was more for the twins than for us. But I don’t care because I’m the lucky one who got to keep her son and the man she fell in love with.

“Really though. I’m so proud of you, Jensen.” I clear my throat.

He smiles, hugging me close again. “Yeah, I know. I could always help you with the organization.” Jensen turns to Cole, shrugging with a small chuckle.

Cole’s eyes widened. “Uhh. You want to work there? It wouldn’t pay well.”

My heart squeezes in my chest. Cole had started a non-profit organization to help others struggling with addiction but can’t afford rehab or the loss of income from not working while seeking treatment. Unfortunately, it was spurred by tragedy when, after high school graduation, his mother set her apartment on fire. It burned half the building down and several fatalities of residents since the landlord hadn’t kept up with maintenance with smoke alarms or sprinklers in the hallway. One of those residents was Wyatt, and the loss hit Cole harder than his mother.

Jensen scratches the back of his neck. “Yeah, I got a couple of ideas for marketing to raise some money. I was even talking to someone with a connection in the governor’s office. We can probably get him to sponsor it or something.”

Cole nods and then holds Abbie tighter to him. “That would mean a lot, man.”

I shift Amber to my other side. The overwhelming love for my family makes me want to cry. “Ready to get home? The twins helped me make a cake for you.”

Amber lifts her head, nodding and sticking her drool-covered hand out for Jensen. “Cake.”

He grimaces, looking down at the wet, chubby fingers. “Oh, I can’t wait.”

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