Page 92 of Keeping You

CHAPTER 35

Matt

One Month Later

Sitting in Caleb and Bailey’s backyard after dinner, I’m content. I’m surrounded by friends and family, and I know when I leave here, I can text Megan and she’ll come to my place. I’m happy my friends and sister have found the people they want to share the rest of their lives with. I want that one day, but right now, I’m enjoying the lack of responsibility and fun. I have plenty of time before I need to settle down.

Liv hands me Cate before she heads into the house. I have a soft spot for my niece. I can spoil her rotten and then send her home to her parents. I can’t wait until I can feed her tons of sugar and then send her home. I love my sister and will always protect her, but she’s my baby sister and it’s my brotherly duty to bug her and get under her skin.

Zoey comes and sits beside me, dancing her fingers in front of Cate’s face while she makes silly noises. Cate giggles, and a smile spreads across Zoey’s face. She’s so good with her. I know she loves being Aunty Zoey and hanging out with Cate whenever she can.

“You want kids?” I ask her.

Her eyes flick to me, her smile faltering for a second before she plasters it back on and returns her attention to Cate. “Eventually.”

I nod, not wanting to pry more. Zoey and I’ve grown closer over the last year, but not close enough that I can push the topic.

Cate starts to fuss in my arms, and I adjust her to bounce her a little, but it doesn’t work. Zoey reaches out and takes her from me, standing and walking as she bounces her. Cate calms down almost immediately. I stand behind her and make faces at Cate, and she giggles. The sound warms my heart.

As I stand here with Zoey and Cate, I’m beginning to wonder if maybe I should start thinking about settling down sooner than later and actually putting some effort into dating instead of hook-ups.

Liv comes back and takes her daughter back.

“Zo, your date with the new teacher is all set for next week. I texted you his number so you guys can coordinate the rest,” Liv says.

A pang of jealousy hits me, but I brush it off. I shouldn’t be jealous that Liv is helping Zoey find someone. When Cate smiles at me from Liv’s arms, I set my resolve to stop fucking around and settle down.

Epilogue

GRAYSON

Eight months later

As we get ready to leave to head to my parents, anxiety fills me. I can only hope everything goes how I want it to, but I can never know. I’ve spent the last nine months attending my therapy appointments and working through my trauma. It took me a while to open up to the therapist, because I wasn’t used to talking to anyone about it, but I eventually got to a point where I was able to talk about aspects of it. I’m still struggling with accepting that I didn’t fail Rebecca, and some days are worse than others, but having Hannah at my side has made it infinitely better. She’s able to read me like an open book and knows exactly what I need on the bad days. Rebecca was right about the difference it makes having someone in your corner on the bad days. It makes them not as bad and makes the good ones so much better.

These last nine months with her have been the best of my life. I’ve got to see Hannah be truly carefree. Watching her with Cate and Charlie is still hard, but I’m working on it. Hannah has donenothing but show me she meant it when she said she wanted me even if kids aren’t in the picture. Not once has she brought up the topic, letting me lead the way in that particular aspect of our lives. I’m not sure where I stand right now on having kids or not but knowing Hannah will be with me no matter what has made me feel like the luckiest man on this Earth.

I stand in the kitchen as I watch Hannah skip towards me, fully dressed and ready to leave. She’s always full of energy and excitement when we leave for Willow Valley. She loves getting away from the city and seeing my family. Her and Chloe have become the best of friends and she always has a girls day with Chloe, Brinley, Aspen, and Lennon while we’re there. The last time we were in town Rebecca even joined them. I think that was healing for both of them.

I hold out her coffee, and as she reaches for it, I grab her wrist with my free hand and pull her close, kissing her. I never give up an opportunity to have my lips on hers.

“You’re gorgeous, Mrs. Maxwell,” I whisper against her lips, and she smiles. She loves hearing me call her that almost as much as I love saying it.

“Well, you’re quite handsome yourself, Dr. Maxwell.”

I grin and place another quick kiss on her lips before handing her the coffee cup. She takes it and inhales the scent deeply before taking a sip. I will never get over the sight of her every morning in this kitchen with me.

“You ready?” I ask when she finishes her cup.

She nods, and I grab our bags before we head to car.

HANNAH:

Today’s drive to Willow Valley is different from our first one. During this drive, much like the one’s we’ve made since Randy’shospitalization, I know that in six hours I’m going to see my family. The last nine months have been amazing. I’ve gotten to see Grayson open up more, and I think his regular therapy appointments are a big reason. He’s been going weekly, either in person or teleconference, depending on his work schedule. He’s talked to his parents and Chloe about how his sessions have helped him, and I know they’re happy for him.

Samantha has left Vancouver Memorial. It was only about a month after she caught us in the storage closet that we were told she had found another job and would be leaving. Everyone else has been great about our marriage. I’m finally working more day shifts, and I think Grayson’s more grateful for it than I am. He hates the night shift, but he was working them with me so we could spend more time together. That little revelation didn’t come out until I finally was back on days. The relief he showed when I told him my schedule change had him fessing up.

Grayson’s hand rests on my thigh as we drive. Excitement fills me as we pass the sign that says:

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