Page 98 of Fall With Me
I’m not perfect, and never will be, but it doesn’t mean I can’t have a family of my own. I’m not Mom and will do everything to make sure my husband and kids know how much I love them.
Starting right here, right now with Dawson.
“Chloe!” Finn exclaims when he comes in the front door.
Dawson’s parents offered to drop Finn off at home rather than Dawson having to go get him. I wouldn’t have minded a drive, but now I don’t have to face Dawson’s family again so soon. They’re sweet and I can’t wait to get to know them more, but right now I want to spend time with Finn and Dawson before adding more Reeds into the mix.
“Hey, bud!” I hug Finn. “How was your sleepover?”
“Grandma’s is the best! She lets me stay up late, sleep in as long as I want, and she made me pancakes for breakfast.”
“Wow. Sounds like you had an awesome time with your grandparents.”
“Yeah. But Dad said we have a present to open? Where is it?”
Dawson gives Finn a hug. “Come into the family room.”
I wonder what Carter got Dawson.
We all settle onto the couch. Dawson hands Finn the blue and red gift bag. Finn digs through the tissue, pulling out a small box wrapped in a blue bow. He lifts the lid, pulling out a few papers. Finn stares at the paper, his brows pulling together the longer he looks.
“What is it?” I ask.
Finn shrugs. “I dunno.”
Dawson takes the papers, reading what’s written. Light glows in Dawson’s eyes. “It’s a weekend getaway to ParkCity. We have lodging for two nights. Passes to Utah Olympic Park, and a gift card for food.”
Finn’s nose wrinkles. “Boring. I thought it was going to be something cool.”
Finn must not be aware of all the fun activities the Olympic Park has. “Uh, little man, at the Olympic Park you get to go on a really fast slide, a zip line, go tubing, ski jumping, and more. This is an awesome gift! You’ll have so much fun with your dad.”
My twin loves to keep people at a distance and put up this front that he doesn’t care about others. But this? Between my new phone and this weekend getaway for Dawson and Finn, Carter is absolutely the best brother in the world.
“Will you come with us?” Finn asks.
I shake my head. “I would love to, but I really think this gift needs to be for just you and your dad.”
“Chloe, you’re more than welcome to join us,” Dawson says.
I take Finn’s hand and Dawson’s in each of my own. “It’s not that I don’t want to be with you guys, because I do. But you’ve had quite the year, and I think a break from work and school, doing something you both love with each other, is exactly what you guys need. I promise to be here when you get back from your amazing trip and you can tell me all about it.”
Finn’s lips turn down. “It won’t be the same without you.”
I smile at the little boy who occupies a big chunk of my heart. “I know, but guess what? I’m not going anywhere. We’ll have lots of opportunities to be together.”
“Really?” Finns asks, his wide eyes darting between Dawson and me.
Dawson squeezes my hand. “Now that the festival’s over, Chloe will have more time to spend with us.”
“Allmy extra time. You’ll be sick of me soon.”
Finn shakes his head. “Not possible. I love when you’re here, Chloe.”
If my heart wasn’t already goo, this would do it. “I love being here too. You know why?” Thankfully, I won’t ever have to leave. Well, I don’t live here, but eventually? Yeah, I hope to call this place home.
“No. Why?”
I look at Finn directly, letting him see my eyes when I say, “Because I love you and your dad.A lot.”
