Page 138 of Betrayed

The relaxed, light-hearted atmosphere was so much better than the stiff, catered events I was used to.

After Doug, Beth, and Chase, the cutest six-year-old I’d ever met, arrived, Jack asked for everyone’s attention.

“Meg and I have an announcement to make.”

How lucky am I to witness this?

The room erupted, making Meg blush and Jack smile.

“Let him have his moment.” John raised his voice, just enough to be heard over the crowd.

“Thanks, Dad.” He cleared his throat and looked at the excited faces. “As I was saying, before being so rudely interrupted.”

Mary and Beth looked like they were going to burst. Jamie and Emily were holding hands and grinning from ear to ear.Jay tapped his fingers on the table, and John just leaned back, watching it all.

“Meg and I are pregnant.”

The room erupted for real; this time everyone stood up to congratulate them.

After things settled down, Jay asked, “Can we eat now? I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving,” Jamie teased him. “The grocery bill has doubled since you moved in.”

“Whatever, I pay for my half.” Jay laughed as he defended himself.

“Come on, Dad, carve the ham already,” Jay begged.

John did just that, and we all stuffed ourselves with ham and pineapple slices, Meg’s bacon mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, and Mary’s homemade rolls.

After we all settled in the living room to relax, Mary surprised me by bringing out a cake. Everyone sang happy birthday, making me blush. I laughed as I blew out the candles, not bothering to make a wish because the only one that hadn’t already come true couldn’t.

No amount of wishing could turn back the clock and prevent my father’s mistakes.

“Welcome to the family, Blake,” Mary said as she hugged me. I choked back my tears as I enjoyed the first motherly hug I’d had in over six years.

AJ wasn’t the only one who embraced finding a family that day. I had a loving family as a child, but cancer and poor life choices ripped it apart.

“Is there ice cream?” Chase asked as Mary cut the cake.

“Oh no, we forgot to buy ice cream,” Meg feigned distress, winking at Beth.

“But you can’t have cake without ice cream,” Chase pouted.

“Are you saying you don’t want cake, Little Man?” Doug asked.

“That’s not what I said.” Chase crossed his arms as he answered.

“Look what I found,” John said, carrying in three half gallons of ice cream.

Everyone clapped except Chase—he jumped up and down, cheering.

Chapter 64

AJ

Beth, Doug, Blake and I cleaned up after cake and ice cream, while the Sheppards video-chatted with Madi, Jamie’s twin. Madi was the only Sheppard Blake hadn’t met, because she couldn’t get leave from the Navy.

After the call ended, the guys retired to the back porch with beers, giving the girls time to gush and squeal with Meg.

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