Page 22 of Parrish

Chapter Nine

Jack Parrish

Leaning against the frame of the door, I watch Reina press a kiss to the top of Danny’s head as he debates with Blackie over who the greatest Yankee of all time is. Next to him, Lacey fills her little brother’s plate with Grace’s famous spaghetti and meatballs. Watching the scene in front of me continue to unfold, I realize it’s the new norm for the Parrish family. I won’t have to wonder what life is like without me. All I have to do is remember this moment and remind myself, they have each other. It’s the best gift I could’ve ever given any of them.

Reina’s eyes connect with mine and she straightens up, placing her hands on our son’s shoulders. She doesn’t smile like she usually does when she catches me staring at her. Instead, she stares at me thoughtfully before giving me a nod. I don’t know if it’s my imagination or what, but; I take the gesture as assurance.

I’ve got this, Parrish.

We’re going to be okay.

Drawing out a breath, I push off the frame and step into the kitchen, keeping my eyes on my bride. I was too busy masking my emotions when I came into the house after saying my final goodbyes to my kids, to appreciate Reina’s outfit. Taking the time now, my eyes sweep over her. Dressed in her riding attire, wearing the jacket she wore on our wedding day, she’s as much of a vision as she was the day I gave her my name. If I forget every goddamn thing about my life, I’m sure I’ll always manage to remember my Sunshine in leather.

“Oh, look at you,” Grace exclaims as she dries her hands on a dishcloth. “Looking very handsome Jack.”

I toss her a wink as I round the table and make my way to Reina. Once I’m standing in front of her, she gives me that smile of hers and smooths her hands over my kutte.

“She’s right, you know?” she whispers. “You look just as good as you did the first day you walked into Dee’s diner and took a seat at the counter.”

“It took you six weeks to look at me,” I remind her.

“Oh, I looked at you, Parrish,” she assures. “I memorized everything about you, you just didn’t know it.”

“That so?” I murmur, wrapping my arm around her waist as she nods her head.

“I loved your walk,” she confesses, lifting her hand to my cheek. “It screamed confidence, and I envied that back then.”

“And now?”

“Now, I’m not a woman hiding beneath her scars, struggling to live in the present. I’m just as confident as the man I walk beside, and I have him to thank for that.”

Dipping my head, I touch the tip of her nose with mine.

“You’re not sorry you looked at me?”

“How could I ever be sorry for looking at the man who gave me back my life?”

I stole more years than I gave her, but I don’t tell her that. She’ll learn to resent me soon enough.

“Where are you two headed?” Blackie asks, drawing my attention away from Reina. Turning my head, I watch as he pours Danny a glass of water and winks at him. The poor bastard doesn’t even realize how good of a father he’s going to be. Lifting his gaze to me, he raises an eyebrow in question.

“Our favorite places,” I answer vaguely, looking back at Reina. “You ready?”

“What kind of question is that?” she asks, sliding her hands into the back pockets of my jeans.

“A loaded one.”

For so many reasons.

“Well, go on and have a good time,” Grace says. “We have everything covered here, isn’t that right?” she questions Blackie, Lacey and Danny.

“You two hanging around?” I ask, looking between my daughter and Blackie.

“For a while,” Lacey says. “We promised Danny we’d kick his butt in a game of Monopoly.”

“Never happen,” I tell her as I stare down at my youngest. “Danny is the Monopoly champ.”

Giving my ass a squeeze, Reina removes her hands from my pockets and I walk towards the table. Bending down, I cup the back of Danny’s neck and lean my forehead against his.

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