Letting go of Grace (34 page)
“Why does he keep doing that?” Hannah asks as she sits up, leaving me.
“To piss her off,” I reply with a smile.
“But he’s sleeping.”
“He does it every night before he goes to bed. I just normally unlock it before we go to bed. I forgot last night,” I say, pulling her back to me. I kiss her neck and watch as she turns into putty in my hands.
“Oh yeah, you were preoccupied last night,” she teases.
My life has gone from living for no one but myself, to living for nothing but them. They are the reason I stay clean and the reason I work hard. They are the only reason I will ever need in life, because without them, I have nothing worth living for. I made sure Grant was put away for as long as possible. Between the three of us, we had enough to get Grant a life sentence. Between embezzlement with the company and two attempted murder charges, it wasn’t hard for him to be convicted. He didn’t stand a chance. I did enjoy the thought of sending him a wedding invitation. I never sent it though. Breaking this vicious revenge cycle was liberating. No one has heard from him and I plan on keeping it that way. I need to keep my family happy and safe. With Grant out of the picture, I feel like Shane, John, and I have formed a tight bond. We feel like a family again. Addy still lives in the house. We take care of her like she is our mother, because in reality she is our real mother. She is the only mother to show continuous and unconditional love towards me.
“I have to get up and start getting ready if we are going to make it up there today,” Hannah informs, looking over at me.
“OK,” I smile at her.
“Kiss me first,” she says, meeting me halfway. I don’t wait, I crash into her lips like it’s my goddamn job. I roll her over onto her back and start to have my way with her when I hear the toilet flush. The joys of having kids. I give her one last kiss before I pull away as Ella opens the door. Hannah’s cheeks are flushed and I know I have started something she wants to finish, but Ella climbs into our bed.
There was a point a year ago when she walked away from me. She tried to let me go, just like I had said I’d let her go, but we never did. There was no way I was ever going to let her let me go. I never give up till I have what I want, and I finally have my family. The one I was destined to have. I thank Chase every night when I get into bed. I thank him for creating this amazing family, and for giving me the honor of stepping in to love his children and raise them with my beautiful wife. I thank him for his loving parents that have welcomes me into this family and accepted me as a son. I thank God for Hannah’s spectacular and supportive parents who are always there for us and willing to help out with the kids when we need a weekend to sneak away. I came from a family that was cold and dysfunctional to becoming part of the freakin’ Brady Bunch, and I couldn’t be happier. Becca has moved into town and Hannah and her, along with Annie and Autumn, spend a lot of time together. I love seeing my girl happy.
“Daddy, I’m hungry,” Ella says as she snuggles up next to me.
“What do you want, buttercup?” I tickle her and she scurries away laughing.
“Pancakes, with smiley faces,” she says through her laughter.
“You got it.” I jump out of bed and face my back to Ella. She jumps on. As I pass Hunter’s room, he comes out.
“Not cool, buddy. I told you to stop locking the bathroom door.” I point a finger at him, but I can’t stop smiling.
“It was a joke,” he says, grinning. I can’t be mad at him. My brothers and I played the same pranks on each other growing up. It’s a part of having siblings.
“Your mom is getting tired of it. Can you take a break for a little while?”
“Yeah! Take a break; I almost peed my pants,” Ella butts in. This makes Hunter laugh and in return Ella laughs, and just like that, all is forgiven.
Half an hour later, Hannah comes down looking and smelling edible. I try to keep my hands to myself but it never works. My hands have a mind of their own and are constantly seeking her out. The kids have been fed and are watching TV, so I pull her against me and kiss those sweet lips.
“I love you Aiden,” she whispers.
“I love you, more,” I reply. Every moment with Hannah is a dream come true. Every kiss from her is a present. Every laugh is music to my ears. Everything we have built together is ours. Through all the ups and downs, through all of the drama, there has only been her. There will only ever be her. I wouldn’t say I won, like Grant would. Oh fuck it, I will say it. I won. The best man won. I got Hannah. I got my family, I fucking WON!
THE END
I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD
write a book. I didn’t think I would finish the Grace series and still have ideas pouring out of my head, through my hands, and onto paper. I have my ever patient husband to thank for that. You are my love story, because you know, everything is a love story! I love you babe. I want to thank my children, for driving me crazy and making me laugh at their crazy antics. Without them I would be incomplete. I love you Bud, Bean and Doodle Bug!
I want to thank my parents, because without them I wouldn’t be here. Mother, Mom, Mommy, Ma. I love you, most. Dad, our stoop talks mean more to me than you will ever know. Love you!
Next, I want to give a shout out to my bitches! Erin, Gina, Dawn and Jen. I swear, one day I am going to post on FB some of the conversations we have, because they are hilarious! You guys listen to me complain, and cheer me up when I rip myself apart. Can we go forking soon? Erin, I owe you big time for all of the last minute reading you do for me! Muah, I love you girls.
Catherine, Mindy, Lisa and Sara. My sisters, my best friends and the go to woman in my life. I can’t thank you enough for everything you do for me. Oh, and Lisa, that’s MINE. Oh Yeah.
Marilyn, I would be a HOT mess without you. I was lucky enough to have found you, and I never plan on letting you go. You get me as a person and as writer, and I am so thankful for that. I can’t wait to work with you again!
Kassi, my angel! Thank you, you have no idea how grateful I am.
Last, but most important, is you, the reader. You have made my dreams come true. You read my book. I never thought in a million years, I would be able to make a dream come true, but I did and thanks to you I want to keep doing it. So THANK YOU!
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