Six months later
“And you’re dead!” I declare, triumphantly placing the remote on the floor.
James scowls. “I’m only fifteen.”
“That doesn’t change the rules. No mercy, remember?” I tease.
“I’m telling Pops.”
I raise an eyebrow, smirking. “Running to her? Very mature, James.”
His grin is swift. “She’d definitely give you a hard time for this, wouldn’t she?”
“Possibly,” I admit, thinking of Poppy’s playful chides. “But making up afterward? Totally worth it.”
He makes a gagging sound.
“You know what? I’ll take you to the house next week, and you can play Cole at FIFA. You’ll see how satisfying it is to make a grown man cry.”
James’s eyes light up, and it makes me happy. The kid pretends to be all cool without a care in the world, but I know he loves to spend time with me and the boys, and I really like how the team adopted him.
He’s my little brother, too, now, just like adorable Billy. I meant what I said to Poppy: Her family is my family, and one day, I hope not too far in the future, I will make all that official.
I lean back on the worn-out sofa and look at my watch.
“Missing my sister?” he taunts.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
He frowns again, not happy that his tease didn’t land.
You wait, little brother. Wait until you find the one, and then we’ll talk.
The door opens downstairs, and within a few seconds, I hear footsteps coming up the stairs, and Billy bursts into the room.
“What do you think?” He turns around, pointing at his head.
“Love the new haircut, bud; it looks so cool,” I reply, standing up and giving him a high five.
“You can’t see a difference,” James grumbles.
I throw him a warning look and Billy pouts.
“You’re totally jealous,” Billy tells James.
“Totally,” I mouth to him with a wink.
“Mom wants you downstairs,” he tells me.
I nod and go downstairs to find Julia in the kitchen.
Hi, future mother-in-law, I think as I grin.
“Ethan! I’m sorry I’m late. But here…” She pushes a cookie toward me. “I kept one hidden from the hungry mouths.”
“You’re the best!” I sit on a stool at the counter. I love this woman. She’s so far from the standoffish wife she was the few times I saw her before. She’s kind, accepting, and so loving. She’s treating me like a son with a warmth my mother never gave me and all that despite being Fitzgerald Hawthorne’s son. I don’t want to take Poppy home, and I am pretty sure she’s not keen either. Forgiving me for our past is one thing, but I don’t see her, nor would I want her to forgive my father.
She winks at me.
“Pops is late too, but she should be here soon. She has the car. Do you want me to text her to bring back dinner?”
“No, tonight we’re going out as a family, all five of us. My treat.”
I don’t think she knows how it makes me feel when she considers me as a member of her family.
“I got a promotion.”
“Oh, Julia, this is amazing!” I get out of my seat and pull her into a hug.
“Yes, and at least I got this one all on my own,” she adds once we break the hug, and she throws me a knowing look.
I freeze, and she laughs.
“I’m not mad, Ethan. I’m grateful.”
“Don’t be; you are obviously more than qualified. I should be thanking you for working that well for my company, but Poppy didn’t know,” I say quickly. “She didn’t find out until after you got the job, and she wasn’t happy I interfered.”
“She’s proud, my daughter. She’s having a hard time accepting help, but I’m relieved she has you to rely on.”
“Always,” I reply seriously. “She’s the one for me, you know.”
She pats my hand. “I know.”
I lean on the counter and shake my head. “Is there anything you don’t know?”
She shrugs. “Probably—like I don’t know you are thinking about moving in together in September.”
“How—” I stop, biting my tongue. “We’re in the talking stage, and we’re not sure if we want to stay in the house I own or buy something else.”
Julia laughs. “Don’t worry, take your time, and I’ll act surprised, I promise.”
“But you don’t mind?”
She ponders that for a minute. “No, when you know, you know, and she’s clearly as in love with you as you are with her. I’m happy for you.”
Even if I know it, I’m happy to hear about Poppy’s love for me.
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway reaches my ears, and a sense of anticipation builds in me. Within a couple of minutes, the front door swings open, revealing Poppy in all her radiant glory. Her hair is mussed from the wind, and her face lights up when she sees me. She strides in, the worries of her day melting away, and with no hesitation, she wraps her arms around me, her lips finding mine in a sweet, familiar kiss. It’s short, but it carries all the love and longing of the day spent apart.
“Missed me?” she whispers against my lips.
“Always,” I reply, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
Julia clears her throat playfully, reminding us of her presence. Poppy turns to her, her face glowing. “Mom, tell me you didn’t spoil him with your cookies again.”
Julia chuckles, waving the empty cookie plate. “Just one. As a reward.”
But before Poppy can playfully chide her mother, Julia’s face lights up, and she says, “Speaking of rewards, I have some news.”
Poppy’s brows knit in curiosity. “What’s up?”
Julia takes a deep breath, her eyes shining. “I got a promotion today.”
Poppy’s eyes widen in delight. “Mom! That’s amazing!” She rushes over, enveloping her mother in a tight hug, both of them laughing joyfully. Their bond is evident, and it warms my heart to see it.
“Boys!” Poppy calls out, “get down here. We’ve got some celebrating to do.”
James and Billy thunder down the stairs, the latter still sporting his new haircut, and join in the group hug. This family, full of warmth and love, is everything I ever wanted. And they’ve accepted me as one of their own.
As we all gather our things, preparing to head out for our celebratory dinner, I take a moment to reflect. This family, Poppy’s family, is now my family too. It’s a bond I never expected but one I cherish deeply. Every laugh, every shared memory, every little moment—it all means the world to me.
I look at Poppy, her eyes shining with happiness, and it reinforces my resolve. I will move heaven and earth to ensure their happiness and well-being. They’ve given me a home, a place to belong, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect and nurture this newfound family.
As we head out, hand in hand, I realize that the future, though uncertain, is filled with promise. And with Poppy by my side and her family behind us, there’s nothing we can’t face together.
