Kiss Yesterday Goodbye: A Serenity Bay Novel

by Danni Rose

  "Yes, we are. We've searched for you for a long time." Beth grasped Jason's arm. "We're happy to meet you—both of you."

  "Aren't you going to say hello?" Hank asked.

  John grumbled, "Hello."

  Daniel muttered, "Hello."

  The boys were the same height, but opposites in looks. Daniel had Jason's dark hair and Beth's blue eyes while John had light blonde hair and gray eyes.

  Jason knelt to talk to them. "Boys, is it important that you stay together?"

  They both gave brisk nods.

  "If you could be together, would you consider coming to Chicago with us?"

  The boys looked at each other. Jason wished he knew what they were thinking.

  "Guys, you should give this a try," Hank said. "These are nice people, and you'd have your own family."

  Daniel looked up at Beth. "Are you really my parents?"

  Beth knelt. "Yes, we are."

  "Why didn't you want me? Didn't you love me?"

  "Daniel, I've always loved you, but I couldn't keep you. It broke my heart to let you go. As soon as I could, I searched for you. I'm so happy we finally found you." She squeezed John's shoulder. "I would be so happy to have you as my sons."

  Daniel asked, "How long would we stay."

  Brenda said, "Boys, they want you to live with them and be a family."

  John shook his head. "Grown-ups don't want little kids for always. When they don't want us anymore, can we come back to the farm?"

  Jason's heart ached. No child should think he was disposable.

  "That won't happen." Beth took their hands. "We want you to live with us and be our sons forever."

  John asked, "Would we be a real family? All four of us?"

  Jason nodded. "We'd be a great family."

  "Would John be my real brother?" Daniel asked.

  "Yes, he would."

  "Forever?" John's eye narrowed. "Are you sure?"

  A smile on her face, Beth dragged her fingers in a cross over her heart. "We promise."

  John and Daniel looked at each other.

  With a shrug, John said, "I guess we could try it."

  "Okay." Daniel put his hands on his hips. "But we're not making any promises."

  Beth hugged Daniel and tears fell from her eyes.

  "We're so happy you'll live with us." Jason took John into his arms and hugged him. John looked skeptical. Jason knew John needed time to believe they loved him and wanted him in the family.

  Beth said, "I want to meet my other son."

  Jason said, "John, this is your new mother."

  John and Daniel had another silent conversation. Then John asked, "Can—can we call you Mom and Dad?"

  Beth burst into tears.

  Daniel looked devastated, "We don't have to call her mom."

  Jason smiled. "Mom is crying because she's happy, isn't that right Beth?"

  She nodded. Then she wrapped her arms around both boys and smiled through her tears.

  Jason stepped away to shake hands with Brenda. "Thank you for your help."

  Her eyes were bright. "It's days like today that make me glad I do this work."

  "I can't thank you enough for finding Daniel." Jason shook Gabriel's hand. "Keep me updated on what you find in your investigation into Woodson's placements. If I can help, let me know."

  He helped Beth to her feet and wrapped his arm around her waist. She smiled while she cried. He told the boys, "Mom has waited a long time for her sons to come home. She needs time to adjust. In the meantime, your grandparents and aunt are waiting in Chicago to welcome you. I think Lupita might have a chocolate cake to celebrate."

  Two young voices yelled, "Awesome."

  Daniel looked at John. "Chocolate cake, my favorite."

  John looked at him and grinned. "A new Mom and Dad."

  They yelled, "High five!" Followed by a jump and slapping of hands.

  After a few weeks together, Jason knew they'd made the right decision to bring John home with Daniel. The boys were best friends and helped each other adjust to their new lives.

  Although they had a few bumps along the way.

  Beth told the boys they could each pick a bedroom of his own. They had objected and insisted on being together. With the boys in the same room, bedtime became a delightful experience. After they were tucked in at night, Beth and Jason stood outside the room and listened to their sons' whispers and giggles until they fell asleep.

  Then one night during dinner, Jason said, "Mom and I have something we want to discuss with you."

  Daniel and John frowned and their eyes filled with fear.

  To ease their concern, Jason rushed to say, "We'd like to adopt you and change your last names to Richards, but we'll only if it's what you want too?"

  Daniel tipped his head. "When a family makes important decisions, they should vote."

  John nodded in agreement. "Yeah. We should vote."

  Jason covered his mouth and coughed to smother his laughter. "You're right. We each get one vote. We are voting on whether John and Daniel will change their last names to Richards and be our sons forever. All in favor raise your hand."

  His hand went up, and Beth raised hers. They watched and waited. With a nod of their heads, John and Daniel lifted their hands. There were smiles around the table, and Jason whispered a prayer of thanks. At last, he had the family he'd always wanted.

  The next day, Beth had an appointment. Not wanting the family to worry, she didn't tell them about it. Later, as she drove home, she wore a huge grin. Her dreams had come true. She and Jason were married, and they had two wonderful sons. But this—this was a miracle.

  She walked through the house until she heard Jason's and the boys' laughter. They'd planned to spend the day by the pool, and eager to join them, she ran to change into her swimsuit.

  On her way to the pool, Beth stopped in the kitchen. When Lupita saw her smile, she hugged Beth and gave her a glass of ginger ale. Lupita told her lunch would be ready in a few minutes and sent her to join her men.

  Jason welcomed her with a kiss. "You look very happy. What put that smile on your face?"

  "Lunch is almost ready." Beth wanted to wait until they were alone to tell him her news. Then they could tell the boys together.

  "You're happy about lunch?" Jason looked at her as though she'd lost her mind. To distract him, she leaned in for a kiss. The boys watched and giggled.

  Daniel said, "I'm never kissing girls."

  John shoved him. "She's not a girl; she's a mom."

  Jason laughed.

  Beth laughed, but soon tears ran down her cheeks.

  Daniel frowned and said, "Being a mom must mean you cry a lot."

  John nodded.

  Lupita came out and set sandwiches on the table. There were peanut butter and jelly for the boys and tuna with pickles for Beth. When she smelled the tuna, Beth slapped a hand over her mouth and ran to the bathroom. Her stomach tightened then clenched as she gave up the breakfast she'd eaten.

  A few minutes later she returned to the patio and dropped into a chair. Her skin was clammy, and her stomach ached. Jason pressed a cool cloth to her forehead and handed her the ginger ale. Her hand shook as she took a drink.

  The boys looked worried. Daniel asked, "Mom, are you dying?"

  "No. I just have an upset stomach." Beth clamped her teeth together and forced a smile.

  Her eyes barely open, she watched Jason pull the boys close. "Guys, you don't need to worry about Mom. She's fine. When a woman is having a baby, she sometimes gets sick."

  "A baby?" Daniel asked. Jason nodded, the boys gave each other a high five. "Yea."

  John said, "We want a sister."

  Daniel nodded. "We can teach her all kinds of important stuff. The best trees for climbing, how to dig worms for fishing, and how to throw a football."

  "You'll be wonderful big brothers, whether it's a girl or boy." Beth turned to Jason. "How did you know? I just found out this morning."

  He wrapped his arms
around her. "I'm aware of everything that happens in my family." Then with a waggle of his eyebrows, he said, "I told you I was up to the challenge."