“What’s this?” I ask, crouching on my heels to make sure we’re eye to eye.
He avoids my gaze and hands it to me, glancing up at Owen, who lifts his chin, silently encouraging me to look inside.
So I do.
As my eyes scan the paper, Grady interrupts, “Can I call you Mom?”
Like a knife to the heart, my vision blurs on the words adoption and legal guardian before I tear my gaze away from it and grab Grady with all my might. Burrowing into my chest, his little arms wrap around my neck, holding on for dear life while I just…melt.
“I would love for you to call me Mom,” I whisper. “But only if I can call you my son too. Deal?”
He nods. “One more thing.” Digging into his pocket, he pulls out a little black velvet box that matches his father’s. Except it looks older. A little scuffed up, maybe. Like it’s seen better days.
I cock my head to the side. “Grady…?”
“My dad said that you might like this.” The old hinges creak softly as he lifts the lid. It’s a simple band with three tiny diamonds inlaid in the center of it. Gorgeous. Simple. And classy. Though I have no idea why he’d feel the need to get me something like this.
“What’s this?” I whisper, my gaze bouncing from one man in my life to the next.
Grady turns to Owen, who nods in response, silently urging him to continue.
With a deep breath, Grady says, “It’s a––a promise ring? My dad said he wanted to give this to you a long time ago. But he got you a different one, and I…I wanted to promise to be a good son––”
“You’re perfect, Grady. No promises necessary.” My bottom lip quivers as I pull him into my chest again. “And I promise to be the best mom I can, okay? Always, always.”
He sniffles but doesn’t say anything before Owen sits with us on the cool summer grass. His long arms curl around Grady and me, holding both of us close as the truth hits me harder than a wrecking ball.
We might not have built a family the traditional way, but it’s stronger than anything I could’ve ever imagined. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“I love you, Grady,” I whisper, pressing a quick kiss to the crown of his head. Then I look up at Owen to find his eyes glassy with unshed tears. “And I love you too. So freaking much.”
His mouth quirks up on one side. “I know.”
Then he kisses me softly.
And confirms what I’d known all along.
I’m right where I was always meant to be.
With Owen.
And Grady.
Forever.
THE END
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