Page 78 of Forever

Oh fuck.I really hadn’t thought this conversation through. “We made one because we love each other.”

“But how?”

Brooklyn laughed but did not offer any help.

So I said the first thing that popped into my head: “Magic.”

Jacob’s eyes grew round. “With a wand?”

I mean…that was one way to put it. “Yes. With a wand.”

“Wow. I can’t wait to tell Mr. Nigel!”

At least he hadn’t called him brother Nigel.

“Tell me what, Mr. Jacob?” Nigel asked.

I jumped.Jesus.He needed to start knocking.

“I’m going to have another brother.”

“Or sister,” Brooklyn said.

“Another?” Nigel asked and hoisted himself up onto the counter.

“Yeah, he’ll be one of us,” Jacob said.

Nigel smiled.

I knew he’d been listening to that whole conversation. And he looked very pleased. And for some reason, for the first time ever, I realized just how young Nigel looked. I wasn’t sure if Tanner had told me Nigel was in his twenties, or I had just assumed. But he could easily pass as a teenager. And Brooklyn kind of treated him like a kid.

There was a knock on the door.

“You boys behave,” Brooklyn said and hurried over to answer it.

“Shhh,” Penny said as she walked in trying to calm a crying Liam. She started bouncing him on her hip.

I’d been so happy just being an uncle and soon-to-be-step-father. But if I was being honest with myself, I’d always wanted more. I walked over to Penny and lifted Liam out of her arms. I’d always been good at calming him down. I didn’t know whether I was going to have a son or daughter. But either way, they wouldn’t be that far off from Liam’s age. Or R.J.’s. Rob had just walked in carrying little R.J. in his arms.

I’d given up on that hope that one day all our kids could play together. Those longs summer days spent out by my parents’ pool. Or throwing around a football. Or playing videogames. I’d given all that up when Brooklyn died.

I rubbed my hand up and down Liam’s back as he quieted down. And for some reason, tears started welling in the corners of my eyes. I just felt so damn lucky. I watched my friends come into the house. It was the first time we were all together here. Brooklyn, Tanner, James, Penny, Mason, Bee, Rob, Daphne, Kennedy, Felix, and all the kids. This really felt like a home. And for 16 years, I hadn’t had that feeling.

“You okay?” James asked and lifted Liam out of my arms.

“Yeah, man.” I sniffed.

“Are you sure?”

“Honestly, I’ve never been better.” I patted Liam’s back.

“If you say so.” He looked concerned.

And I got it. I usually only cried when I was missing Brooklyn. Usually when I was wasted and missing her. But I wasn’t pissed off at the world anymore. I was just so fucking happy. And it had been a really long time since I was actually happy.

I cleared my throat, trying to get the emotion out of my voice. “We have some good news. Come on into the kitchen.”

James walked into the family room first to put Liam down into a play pen for the babies.

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