Page 107 of Tinsel in Telluride

Thanks, traffic saint.

Just as we’re pulling up, Leigh reaches across Zach’s car seat, offering me her open palm. “You nervous?”

I place my palm in hers and give a gentle squeeze. “Not even a little.”

Leigh lets out a small laugh. Today is the day I get everything I’ve ever wanted. Starting with Zach officially becoming my son.

Six months after Telluride, on my birthday, Leigh asked me again if I wanted to know if I was Zach’s biological father. Of course, I told her no. I still stand firm that it didn’t matter. But then she followed up with, “If we do the test, then we’ll know which form we need to file in order for you to formally become his dad.”

The way my heart stopped.

This was better than saying she’d marry me.

Which I’m still hoping she will.

Very soon.

But going through with it meant confirming what I already suspected as I continued to spend time with Zach.

He isn’t mine. At least biologically.

His nose is that of a stranger, and as he grows, he’s got a little chin dimple that doesn’t come from either Leigh’s or my family.

But what he does have is my stubborn streak and a penchant for mischief. He’s got my love of spicy food, and a capacity for compassion I take pride in instilling within him. That little boy is mine in every way that counts, and I am proud to call him my son.

Today just makes it official.

Zach places his hands around our entwined fingers and giggles, melting my heart like he somehow manages to do every single day.

How could I be nervous when this is everything I’ve wanted ever since the two of them stepped off that plane in Telluride?

“Cuttin’ it close, don’t you think?” Enzo says as he opens the door of the Escalade and offers a hand to Leigh.

“Your nephew is as bad as your brother when it comes to choosing an outfit, otherwise we would have been here twenty minutes ago.”

Unbuckling Zach, I help him slide out of the car behind his mother. I follow after, rounding the back of the car to meet them.

Enzo laughs. “Well, you’re here now. And I’ve got some exciting news.”

I cock a brow. “What’s that?”

When Enzo says he has good news, it’s fifty-fifty if it’s actually good or something he perceives as interesting, like, the stock market being up X amount of points.

He smirks, like he knows I’m silently judging him. It’s twin telepathy at its finest.

“We know where we’re going next year for Bucket List Christmas.”

“Holt finally picked?” I ask, knowing he was struggling between two locations. Not that he would allow the rest of us any input. It’s become somewhat of a pride thing for all of us to take the time to consider what Jack would want for that particular year in our lives.

“Yeah.” Enzo pauses for dramatic effect. “Ultimately, surfing won.”

Leigh rolls her eyes dramatically.

“I know, shocker.” Over the last year, Holt took up surfing as a hobby, since it was something Jack loved. I should have known that would have played into his pick.

“So where are we going?” Leigh asks.

“Cozumel, Mexico, to visit the reef.”

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