“It’s amazing, isn’t it? You always seemed so surprised and I’ve been pointing this out for over thirty years.”
“Remember when I told you we got back together for a reason? It was right here when I said it.”
He nodded. “You said maybe we were supposed to be together for them, for Rose and Dallas.” He looked down at me, his eyes wide. “Wow.”
I nodded as the excitement raced through me. “I said maybe I gave birth to a future president or peace leader and you said—”
“Which one?” he added. “I remember that. It’s crystal clear.”
“God, Seth, we sure got our answer.”
“Both,” he mused as he still held my face. “We did that.”
“Yes, we did,” I said, amazed.
I watched Dallas and Dean as they slow danced at the reception, eyes locked and full of love. My oldest daughter had taken a similar road to love as I had. She had also inherited my heart and stubborn will. I was completely enamored as Rose and her new husband danced a few feet away from them, locked in embrace as they whispered to each other.
This night was special and everyone could feel it, but for Seth and me, it was laced by the inner workings of fate and its confirmations. We had stumbled into love, screwed it up, fell back together, and at one time grew apart, and yet we remained.
As champagne glasses were passed out and toasts were made, our secret celebration was further confirmed as our youngest daughter lifted her glass to Seth and me.
“When I was ten years old, I saw my parents kiss,” Rose said wistfully as she stood next to her husband who looked on at her with adoration. “But this kiss wasn’t just any kiss. It was filled with more love than any two people should be able to hold. It inspired me to want the same thing. So, I began to kiss everything,” Rose said with a chuckle and the room laughed. Rose stood silent for a moment and her lips began to tremble as she looked at us. I heard Seth take in an audible breath.
“I can’t tell you how beautiful it was to watch the two of you. I had no choice but to want the same for myself, and thank God I did.” She looked over at Jack, who kissed her temple as she held her glass up higher to us. “You two were my guiding light, my hope, my wish for my own future. You were the foundation of the woman I’ve become and the heart I hold. I owe everything to you.”
Silent tears fell down my cheeks as I felt Seth tremble beside me with just as much emotion.
“I am a romantic and I owe this heart to my inspiration. So please, everyone, raise your glasses to my parents, Laura and Seth. To the romantics.”
I have to thank you, the readers and bloggers, for your support. I remember publishing Room 212 and thinking, “If I can just get one excited GIF, my life would be made.” It was enough for me. Two years later, I still look at that GIF in appreciation. Thank you, Beth! So much has changed, and I’m so incredibly thankful to you for it. With
every story I write comes a new book friend, and I couldn’t be happier.
I have to thank the ladies who have been with me from the beginning: Sharon Dunn, Anne Morrillo, Stacy Hahn, Juliana Cabrera and Edee Fallon. Thank you. I love you, my amazing friends.
To my Street Team the Asskickers: Stacy, Tabatha, Cindy, Akeisha, Sophie, Julie, Paula, Susan, Melissa, Theresa, Jessica, Jess B, Gia, Sarah, Vrsha, Jessica R, Jen, Kathy, Lina, SB, Donna, Karrie, Lisa D, Rachel, Kristan, Erica, Beth, Angela, Kelli C, Sharon, Beverly, Courtney, Jessica, Jen, Stephanie, Danielle, Jules, Yamara, Vrosha, Sopie, Christin, Karrie, Paula, Tristan, Sarah-Jane, Christy B, Cathy, Theresa, Malene, Kim B, Kathryn S, Cheryl, Jessica B, Suzanne B, Donna, Alison, Letitia, Stephanie, Katy, Kathy, Darlene, Marie, Heather, Cezanne, Keanna, Melissa, SB and Sanne, thank you for all you do and for having my back. I love you ladies and I love all the fun we have.
And to my betas: You are truly my saving grace! I can't thank you enough! Stacy, Lisa, Patty, Mel, Dee, Sharon, My Anne of Green Gables, Beth, Tara, Dawn I'm so blessed to have you as friends and critics. Thank you for forcing the best out of me and being my rocks.
“Kindred spirits are not as scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”
—Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery
A Texas native, Kate Stewart lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. She pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. Kate is a lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap. She dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity, and on occasion, does very well at whisky.