“What’s wrong?”
Slowly, I shake my head as hurt and anger pools within. “I completely forgot about Ajay in all of this. He should be here. My grandbabies should be here to meet their . . . well calling Oliver their uncle just seems weird to me.”
Harrison holds me tighter. “They went to North Carolina for the holidays, but I’ll text him and let him know that we’re somewhat close if he and Jamie want to come up after Christmas with the kids.”
“I’ll call Jamie later. I want to talk to Evelyn and let her know that Grandma and Grandpa didn’t forget about her and James.”
“I’m sure she knows.” Harrison takes my hand and leads me farther into the plane. The pilot speaks over the intercom and tells us we’re about to start our journey. I’m tempted to ask the girls to hand Oliver over to me, but I know my request will fall on deaf ears. At this point, I’ll be lucky if I get to hold my son again until we’re back in California. Something tells me Oliver is going to win over every female member of our family, the guys as well.11HarrisonIn all my life, I never thought I’d fly across the United States with a newborn. When Quinn was born, the band traveled via charter bus. Being on tour with an infant was never ideal, but I always thought it was better than being on a plane where the air pressure could hurt Quinn’s ears. When he was fussy, I’d walk around the bus with him. Again, not ideal, but it worked. Also, having JD and Liam on board helped. We took turns holding him, much like the way the twins, Nola and Quinn, are doing now with Oliver. I swear, every time I look over, Oliver is resting in someone else’s arms, and Katelyn is intently focused on the group. I have a feeling she wants the baby back in her arms, and honestly, I don’t blame her. I’d like to hold him too. I want to bond, even though, as foster parents, we shouldn’t. Oliver’s placement with us could be temporary. His mother or father could come back and say they want him, and we’d have to let him go. I’ve been down this road before with Quinn, and was so thankful when Alicia gave up her rights. Although, that really never stopped her from meddling in my life or trying to ruin Quinn’s. The thing is, knowing what I know—what Katelyn and I know—we’re willing to do it all over again to give Oliver a chance at a good life.
I must’ve lost track of time or stopped paying attention to everything around me but my children because when our pilot tells us, we’re starting our descent, I’m surprised by how quicky the flight went. And at some point, Katelyn had curled up with a throw blanket and fell asleep. Before the pilot reminds us to remain seated, I get up and make sure everyone has buckled up. It’s really a ploy to check on Oliver, even though I know he’s in good hands. I find him snuggled in his seat, asleep. But it’s his hands that bring a smile to my face. Both Peyton and Elle are holding onto his tiny little hands. This little boy has no idea how loved he is right now.
“You guys good?” I whisper to Quinn and Nola. She has her head on his shoulder, and looks up and nods at me. When I make it back to Katelyn, I slide in behind her and kiss her lightly on the space between her shoulder and neck. She hums in delight. “We’re about to land.”
Katelyn sits upright, stretches, and reaches for her seat belt. “Where’s Oliver?”
“He’s with the twins. It’s a picture-perfect moment. They’re all holding hands.”
In a flash, Katelyn throws the blanket off her lap, releases the lap belt, and makes her way to where the twins are seated. I never take my eyes off her and know I did the right thing by telling her when I see her hand cover her mouth. She comes back with me with tears in her eyes. “They’re perfect.”
I nod and wait for her to sit down next to me. “And Quinn is just across from them. It’s like old times when they were younger, and we used to travel. The three of them have always been inseparable. They have this entire plane to spread out, and they’re together.”
“We must’ve done something right,” Katelyn says. She has no idea how right she is.
“I know I did.” I push her hair behind her ear and lean in to kiss her. “Meeting you on Christmas was the best thing to ever happen to me.” Our lips finally touch. I know she’ll never tell me the same thing, and I’m okay with it. Katelyn had a life before me, one that she thought she’d have until the day she died, and I will never ask her or the girls to forget about Mason. It would be unfair of me. I knew what I was getting into when I pursued Katelyn.