Page 186 of If You Claim Me
“We’ve been working on securing our paperwork to become foster parents,” he explains. “And it finally came through.”
Everly’s gaze darts between us, wide with shock. Victor is still beside her.
“We want to foster you,” I choke out. “Both of you.”
Everly and Victor look at each other and then us.
“Seriously?” Victor whispers. “You want us?”
I nod. “More than anything.”
“We want this to be your home,” Connor says gently. “We want to be a family.”
“Your family,” I add. “If you want us.”
“We want you,” Everly blurts, then looks to her brother. “Right?”
Victor nods. “Yes. We want to be yours.”
He and I burst into tears at the same time, and then the four of us are on our feet, converging into a hug, Connor’s arms enveloping all of us.
There is no gift that can top this.
I have everything I need. An adoring husband, two beautiful teens I get to help move through the world with love and the support of my partner, an amazing Meems who gets to be a great-grandmother, and a found family who always have my back.
I tip my head up to find my husband gazing down at me with love. “Best birthday ever.”
EPILOGUE
CONNOR
“Everly, please put your phone down and finish your breakfast,” I say for the tenth time.
“My hair is doing something weird.” She slides her phone back in her pocket, though, before I can confiscate it.
“Your hair looks great,” Mildred assures her.
“You look beautiful as always,” Meems confirms.
“Thanks, Meems.” Everly nuzzles Meems’s arm like a happy cat. “You’re beautiful, too.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.” Meems kisses the top of her head.
Meems is just as taken with the twins as Mildred and I are.
“I’m too nervous to eat,” Everly declares. Then she douses her pancakes in two liters of maple syrup and takes a bite anyway. She chews and pushes her plate away. “I’ll eat these as a snack later.”
“Can I do the same?” Victor asks. Normally he’s like a vacuum cleaner with the way he hoovers up food, but today his plate is still half full.
“I’ll throw some snacks in my bag,” Mildred offers.
“And we’re having a celebratory lunch after anyway,” I remind them, adjusting my tie.
Mildred pushes her chair back and stands, moving towardme. Her hands settle on my chest, grounding me. “You a little nervous, too?” she asks.
“Excited mostly. I just can’t wait to make it official.” The twins have been with us for the past six months. As soon as they moved in, Mildred and I started the process of formally adopting them. We want them forever. Today we’re signing the adoption papers.
“Me either.” She pushes up on her toes, and I bend to accept the kiss.
