Page 133 of Crazy Love

When we break apart, I tell everyone where I imagined us all sitting for the picture and set the camera timer with a little remote I can hide under Jezebel’s tutu. Addy, the kids, and I sit on the middle bench, and they’re each holding a kitten. Jezzy’s on my lap. This mother doesn’t leave my side if she can help it.

She knows I’ve got her back.

And I think she’s the tits.

Saggy, wrinkly tits, but the tits.

Our parents sit on either side of us. And right before the first picture is taken, I yell, “It’s official! Our court date is on Monday and the adoptions will be final!”

At first there’s a?—

What?

Did I hear that right?

And then?—

It’s finally happening?

Oh my God, this is the best news!

Thank God for a home game on Sunday, so I don’t miss it!

And I make sure the camera gets every moment.

CHAPTER FORTY

BIG DAYS

ADELINE

I feel like I’m living a dream. No, better than a dream—because this is real.

I wake up to the sound of little feet pounding down the hallway and giggle when I hear the high-pitched squeal of Winnie’s excitement, followed by Sam’s deeper voice telling her to slow down so she doesn’t fall. But neither of them slows down. I smile in my pillow and hear Penn’s husky chuckle.

“I thought they’d never wake up,” he says, popping out of the covers.

He leans over to kiss me quickly, his dimples on full display, and I melt.

“Merry Christmas,” he says.

“Merry Christmas. What time is it?” I ask.

“Early,” he says, laughing.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Since three.”

“But we went to sleep around midnight.”

“What can I say? I’m excited.”

The door creaks open and then Winnie launches herself at us, climbing right over Penn and landing between us like a cannonball.

“Whoa! There’s a tornado in our bed,” Penn says, nuzzling his cheek up to Winnie’s.

Sam stands at the end of the bed, grinning.

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