Deep 6 (Multiple Love)

“Do you like muffins? Mommy makes the best banana and chocolate chip.”

I smile at her quick change of subject, watching as her eyes dart around for what is going to interest her next. She’s so sharp and inquisitive, two traits that will serve her well. “I love muffins,” I say.

“Can you push me on the swing?”

“Sure.”

Sophie’s running across the yard before I get back on my feet. I find Sandy next to me, and I take her hand as we both gaze across at the miracle of our child. Suzanne and Vernon find their way next to us too. “She’s amazing,” I say.

“Yes, she is,” Vernon says. I turn and hold my hand out to him to shake but instead, he pulls me into a short sharp hug. “Thank you,” he says, and by the time he pulls back, my throat is burning with tears that I fight hard not to shed. This isn’t the time for emotion, so when he slaps me on the shoulder and asks me if I want a beer, I say a grateful yes.

“Come on, Uncle Tyler,” Sophie shouts. She’s holding onto the chains and trying to jump onto the swing, but she isn’t tall enough.

“You’d better go,” Suzanne says. “Little miss doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

I smile, shaking my head at the emotions running through me.

When I think about what my life was like a few weeks ago, I hardly recognize where I am. Before I saw Sandy all dressed up by the side of the road, I was trapped in the shadow of sadness. My brother had died, and I had lost the love of my life. I hadn’t managed to find a way to deal with either of those events. My friends had dragged me out of the worst, but I felt as though I was treading water rather than living. I kept trying to find ways to make myself feel alive again. Ways that didn’t involve me slipping into addiction like my parents.

And then, there she was. An angel who needed rescuing, and that’s what I tried to do. I tried to find a way to resurrect the love we had in a way I could manage, and, in the process, I built a new life not only for Sandy and me but for my friends too.

Then there’s Sophie. This amazing reminder of the past and a way for us all to look into the future. A blessing I don’t deserve and could never have expected.

As I jog across the grass, not wanting to keep my daughter waiting, I’m filled with a rush of love for Sandy, for Sophie, for my friends, and for life.

When circumstances drag us deep into times of trouble, it is possible to find a way out and back into a place of love.

Deeper love.

EPILOGUE

SANDY

Greg pours me a cup of steaming hot, freshly ground coffee while Arden butters my toast. I'm sitting with my feet upon Damien's lap, and he's massaging the arch so perfectly, I could purr. Across the table, Andrew is studying the most recent accounts for the repair shop, and Able is writing a list for the grocery store.

It's absolute domestic bliss, and I can't stop smiling.

When the key turns in the front door, I know it's about to get even better.

Little feet sound on the hardwood first. “Auntie San San,” Sophie calls. Behind her, Tyler appears with the hugest smile and the softest green eyes. His expression is always like that when he's looking at our daughter. It's like something inside him melts at the sight of her.

Damien releases my feet, and I swing my legs down to enjoy the warm hug that Sophie is desperate to give me. She smells of strawberry shampoo and blueberry muffins which she probably had for breakfast. She's going to be with us for the whole weekend while Suzanne and Vernon head to a work social event. It's a good time for them to have a break and for us to have some quality time with Sophie.

"She sang the whole way over," Tyler says.

"And Uncle Ty did too," Sophie grins, then leans in, cupping her hand around my ear. "He's not a good singer," she whispers, and I snort with laughter.

"What's she saying?" he asks, bending down to tickle Sophie's ribs. "Is she telling you that I should become a pop star like my sister instead of a dirty old mechanic?"

"No…" Sophie squeals, wriggling and laughing as the rest of my boys watch the scene with smiles on their faces.

Sophie loves spending time here. What girl wouldn't? She has six uncles who love her to bits. Six uncles who are willing to throw her in the air a million times. Six uncles to build her the coolest princess house in the yard. The last time she came to stay, I found her painting Greg's fingernails baby blue.