Uniting Hearts: Discovering Me #3

by A. M. Arthur

  “I don’t. You’ve suffered your own pain and losses, Jeremy, and yet you are still a generous, amazing guy who loves this wreck who is me.” He held up a hand before I could comment. “And I know you don’t see me as a wreck. It’s how I see myself, but it’s a little less so every day. Every day that I grow more confident in myself and our family. Every day I get to spend loving you and Annabeth. And I am still angry with you for lying to me. I might be for a while, but I also know I will forgive you for it. Maybe not right in this moment, but I will.”

  My heart broke wide open, spilling out all my pent-up anxiety and fear and replacing it with love, confidence, and gratitude. “Thank you.” I rose, careful not to jostle Annabeth too much. She’s sat silently on my lap the entire time, as if transfixed by our conversation. I walked around the couch to stand beside Cole. “I was so scared I’d ruined this. Ruined us. Knowing you will forgive me is an incredibly generous gift.”

  He squeezed my bicep. “It’s also kind of selfish. I love you guys both too much to lose either of you. I’m so glad to have met Sammie when I did.”

  “Remind me to send her flowers.”

  “You can give them to her yourself. She and her partner have already invited us all over for dinner sometime soon. They’re still getting to know people in Franklin.”

  “It’s a date.” I shifted Annabeth into one arm so I could loop the other around Cole’s waist. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

  “I know. I also believe that there are no more secrets waiting to drop on me. I mean, there are things in both of our pasts we’ll probably never talk about, but that’s not the same thing as intentionally keeping important information or actions to ourselves.”

  “True. And you know you can tell me anything about your past, and I’ll listen.”

  “I do.” Cole rested his head on my shoulder, his pretty hazel gaze fixed on Annabeth. “How’s this little lady doing?”

  “I think she’s doing great knowing her dads aren’t fighting anymore.”

  “About the dads thing.” My stomach lurched but his eyes were clear when he raised his head and met mine. “I think I’d like to be Papa instead of Cole.”

  Goo. I was a puddle of emotional goo in that moment and had no words to express my joy, so I brushed my nose against his, not daring to kiss him. Cole closed that gap and pressed our mouths together, sealing the nickname and the promise he’d made by claiming it.

  A promise that no matter where the future took him, home would always be here with me and our daughter.

  Epilogue

  Three Years Later

  COLE

  I wait by the door in the back of the shop, our lunch plates on a tray, so Jeremy can finish ringing up a customer. I came in too late to see what the young woman is buying, but he hands her a pretty full plastic bag. After she leaves I approach the counter and slide the tray onto it. Chicken salad sandwiches for us and a peanut butter and cheese sandwich for Annabeth.

  The girl has strange taste buds.

  She has a little play area behind the counter now that she’s older and can more easily entertain herself in the store when Jeremy has to cover a shift. Like he’s covering for Meredith this week while she’s on her honeymoon. Her wife is a great lady named Vanessa, with two young children from a previous marriage, and they get along great with Annabeth. It’s been wonderful having kids her age to make friends with this past year.

  Jeremy promoted Meredith to assistant store manager last year, giving her full-time hours and benefits. Mr. Rafferty also still works part-time. So do I when we’re really short-handed. My anxiety isn’t something that will ever really go away, but working here has definitely helped me get a handle on it. Being five years past my nightmare with Martin has, too.

  “Good morning so far?” I ask as I hand Annabeth her plate.

  “Dank you, Papa,” she says.

  “You’re welcome, Annie.”

  “Decent morning,” Jeremy replies as he pops a potato chip into his mouth. “It’s after Labor Day so some of the tourist traffic is down, but online sales are up. You get your work done?”

  “Sure did.” Last month, I started my third year taking classes up at Reynolds College in their School of Architecture and Design. So far, I managed to arrange my schedules so that all my classes were either Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday by taking fewer credits at a time. It means more semesters to complete my degree but it’s worth to be home with my family as often as possible.

  This semester is a bit more complicated. Everything is Tuesday/Thursday, but I also have a Friday morning mandatory workshop. Instead of driving home Thursday and going back Friday, our friends Clancy and Samir have graciously allowed me to use their guest room on Thursday evenings. I hate sleeping away from Jeremy every week but it’s only for one semester.

  I also still make things for consignment out in the workshop. Jeremy tried insisting on giving me my own section of his store for my creations, but I insist on leaving them scattered around. Small treasures for folks to find or not. I have recently been interested in welding, and quite a few homes around Franklin have wind chimes I made out of old utensils and random bits of metal even Jeremy can’t salvage.

  “I did get a call about a new lead up in Virginia,” he says around a bite of sandwich. “He’s emailing me some photos so I have a better idea about the scope of the pick. It’s about a four-hour drive so it’ll probably be an overnighter.”

  “That’s fine.”

  Jeremy’s done a few of those before, and Annabeth and I are always just fine. I also may or may not have enlisted Mrs. Smith’s help a couple of times when Annabeth was still an infant.

  “Did he say what kind of stuff?” I ask.

  “Apparently the homeowner was obsessed with mid-century items, like kitchen equipment, clothing, furniture, books, records, lamps, all kinds of things like that. Says everything is in pretty good condition. Maybe I can find something good for Clancy’s house.”

  “I bet he’d like that.”

  Jeremy’s still good friends with Clancy. When Clancy and Samir decided to go for a retro theme for their living room to match the kitchen, Jeremy helped them locate quite a few vintage pieces through his contacts. I love their house and all the ways they put their own unique spin on it. We’re also still good friends with Sammie and Andy, who come over for drinks once a week.

  The first time we took Annabeth to their house, I had a knot in my stomach the entire time. As if expecting that her being on that land might somehow poison her with my family’s past. But she’d laughed and played, and she especially loves Andy. I think because he’s so big and colorful and happy.

  I have real friends for the first time in over a decade and it’s an amazing feeling.

  I steal a chip off Jeremy’s plate simply because it’s fun. He grabs my hand fast, though, and gives it a gentle squeeze. Light glints off the gold band on my ring finger. “I never get tired of seeing this on you,” he says.

  “I kind of like yours, too.”

  Last week, the three of us were eating dinner at the Sow’s Ear—well, Jeremy and I were eating; Annabeth was mostly mashing her chicken nuggets into her mac and cheese—when Annabeth piped up with, “Why aren’t you married?”

  I nearly choked on a piece of shrimp.

  “Why are you asking, baby?” Jeremy said.

  “Cuz you should be married. Miss Merith says so. It’s the rules.”

  She still has trouble saying Meredith’s name.

  “We’ll get married when the time is right,” he told her.

  “What’s right time? Bedtime?”

  I started chuckling. “I think this might overtake her obsession with Dora The Explorer reruns.”

  Jeremy held my gaze across the table, a funny glint in his eyes. I didn’t know how to interpret it. “Maybe bedtime isn’t such a bad idea.”

  What was he talking about? Did he want us to perform a fake wedding ceremony for Annabeth when we got home?

 
He searched the table a moment before picking up a small onion ring. My heart nearly stopped when he slid to one knee and held out the onion ring. “I love you, Cole Alston, and I want to promise to love you for the rest of my life. We can have a long engagement if you want, or we can go down to the courts tomorrow and do it. But I’m all in with our family. I’m all in with you. Will you marry me?”

  I swore the entire restaurant went silent. My heart pounded in my ears, and I felt short of breath. This was the moment I’d been looking forward to and dreading all at once. I knew my answer right away but I was still scared. Jeremy proposing on the fly with an onion ring wasn’t exactly how I’d envisioned this, but it was also kind of perfect.

  I covered his hand with mine. “Ever since the day you drove on my land four years ago and dug that bicycle frame out of the dirt, you’ve owned a piece of my heart. That piece just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with you. You are a profoundly amazing man, and I love you so much.”

  Jeremy flashed me a crooked smile. “So is that a yes?”

  “Yes, it’s a yes. I’ll marry you.”

  Applause erupted from several tables around us. Jeremy stood and swept me into his arms, planting a solid kiss on me in front of everyone. The first time he ever did that and I didn’t care. He also slid that onion ring onto my finger and made me wear it home. It’s in a little plastic baggie in our freezer.

  We got proper rings the following day and haven’t even thought about planning a date yet. But I love knowing we will one day. When it’s the right time for us.

  We finish our lunch, and I’m gathering up the plates to take upstairs when the doorbell chimes. I glance up out of habit, and a familiar, unexpected figure steps into the shop. Dressed in a light jacket and slim skirt, hair neatly cut and dyed deep auburn, Bethann looks like she just walked out of a big-city office building.

  Bethann contacted Jeremy on Annabeth’s first birthday via a card and private note for him. After that, they emailed infrequently. Details were always sparse, and he said I could read them if I wanted. I never have. All I want to hear is that she’s happy, and she says she is. Seeing her again for the first time in three years is shocking, to say the least.

  Especially without calling first.

  Annabeth is on the floor with her tablet, oblivious to our visitor. I look at Jeremy, prepared to follow his lead here. He’s paled a bit and his eyes are saucer-like. Lips part as he tries to say something. I don’t know what.

  “Hey, Remy,” Bethann says. “You look good.”

  “Beth?” He circles the counter and stands in front of it, as if putting himself between her and his family. Only I can’t see his face now, only hers.

  Her eyes are filling with tears and the hands clutching a small clutch start shaking. “We were on our way to Florida, and I had to stop.” She glances past him to me. “Hi, Cole.”

  “Hello.” I don’t know what else to say. She’s just stopping by. She isn’t here to try and take Annabeth from us. I hope. Not that she can. If she does, though, I’ll drag Jeremy down to the nearest justice of the peace, marry him, and get started on adoption paperwork.

  Annabeth is ours.

  “I wish you’d called first,” Jeremy says, a funny hitch in his voice. “I’m kind of in shock here.”

  “It was a last-minute decision,” she replies. A single tear slides down her cheek. “I saw your billboard and had to stop. I’m sorry for surprising you like this.”

  He takes a few steps closer. “You look amazing. Are you happy?”

  She beams. “Very happy. I have a good job I love. I’m living with someone who is amazing to me. I asked him to wait in the car.”

  “Did you tell him why you’re here? About the baby?”

  “He knows. He was very understanding about my choices and appreciative to you for caring for her. To both of you for giving her a good life.”

  “Papa,” Annabeth says as she yanks on my pant leg. “Who’s Daddy talking to?” Even though she’s standing, she’s way too short to be seen from the other side of the counter.

  “Oh my,” Bethann says. “Is that her?”

  Jeremy looks over his shoulder and nods, so I pick Annabeth up and brace her on my hip. She’s still a bit small for her age and fits perfectly against me. Bethann gasps. I take a chance on circling the counter to stand beside Jeremy. More tears flow down Bethann’s cheeks.

  “Why’s she crying? She sick?”

  “She’s not sick, Annie,” I reply, giving her cheek a kiss. “She’s an old friend of Daddy’s, and she’s really happy to see him again.”

  “Oh. I’m Annabef.” She still has trouble with “-th” sounds but she’ll get there.

  “Hello, Annabeth. I’m Bethann. It’s really nice to meet you. You’re beautiful.”

  Annabeth giggles. “We’re bof Befs.”

  “Yes, we are.” Bethann puts a hand over her mouth, her control slipping.

  “Hey, Annie, how about you and me go upstairs for a little while?” I asked. “I think Daddy and his friend need some privacy.”

  Jeremy mouths “thank you” at me.

  I leave the dishes and carry Annabeth upstairs. She heads straight for her basket of toys in the living room. Pulls out a bucket of blocks, so we sit and start building. She loves to make tall towers and knock them down by throwing stuffed animals at them. It’s a great distraction from whatever they’re talking about downstairs.

  As a precaution, I also text Mr. Rafferty and ask if he can come cover the shop for a little while. That Jeremy is having a minor crisis. He responds fast that he’s on his way over. God bless retirees with no real hobbies.

  Maybe ten minutes pass before I hear Jeremy’s familiar boots on the stairs. His expression is an odd mix of sad and happy, and I’m thankful to see the happy. I stand and yank him into a fierce hug. He buries his face in my neck and shakes. Annabeth plays with her blocks while we rock together, me giving Jeremy all the love and strength I have.

  Eventually, he pulls back and he’s smiling, despite his eyes being red and wet. “She’s happy, Cole. For the first time in a really long time, she’s truly happy.”

  “Is she coming back?”

  “I invited her to but only if she calls first. And I’d like to invite her to our wedding, whenever we have it.”

  “Of course. And Annabeth?”

  “She knows she made the right decision. She’s okay with Annabeth knowing she’s the birth mother one day, if we both decide it’s okay. Or if Annabeth asks. But Bethann promised not to tell her without our permission.”

  “I’m glad. She definitely seemed happy.”

  “Yeah.” He presses a gentle kiss to my mouth. “I’ve missed her like crazy but this is the best thing for all of us. Bethann has her family and we have ours.”

  Family, friends, careers, and a small town that accepts us. Maybe we won’t stay in Franklin forever. Maybe an opportunity will take us somewhere else in the future. Neither of us can guess what will happen.

  Annabeth tugs at my pants again, so I lean down to bring her up. Right into a three-way hug. She snuggles in between us, and my heart fills with so much love and joy I can barely stand it.

  This is my family. And no matter where the road of life takes us, we will travel it together.

  Always.

  Thank you so much for reading the conclusion of the Discovering Me series. If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review. And if you’re interested in more about Neighborhood Shindig, check out book one in that series, MELTING FOR YOU. Don’t forget to sign up for my free newsletter: https://vr2.verticalresponse.com/s/signupformynewsletter16492674416904

  Also by A.M. Arthur

  Cost of Repairs

  Cost of Repairs

  Color of Grace

  Weight of Silence

  Acts of Faith

  Foundation of Trust

  Perspectives

  The Truth As He Knows It

  The World As H
e Sees It

  The Heart As He Hears It

  Their Life As They Live It

  His Faith As He Finds It

  Us

  Here For Us

  Sound of Us

  Uniquely Us

  Heart of Us

  Belonging

  No Such Thing

  Maybe This Time

  Stand By You

  Restoration

  Getting It Right

  Finding Their Way

  Taking A Chance

  All Saints

  Come What May

  Say It Right

  As I Am

  Clean Slate Ranch

  Wild Trail

  Roped In

  Saddle Up

  Lucky Break

  Hard Ride

  Neighborhood Shindig

  Melting For You

  Burning For You

  Waiting For You

  Breaking Free

  Saved

  Seen

  Heard

  Stronger

  Found

  Whole

  Feel

  Claimed

  Loved

  Finding Free

  Save Me

  See Me

  Hear Me

  Find Me

  Off Beat

  Body Rocks

  Steady Stroke

  Hot Licks

  Prodigal

  Prodigal

  Frozen

  Chosen

  Discovering Me

  Unearthing Cole

  Understanding Jeremy

  Uniting Hearts

  What You Make It

  What You Own

  Fractured Hymns