Fool Me Once

“And add to that Blakely and Sierra.” Kolton snorts. “She always says she wishes she’d had a daughter. Now she’s getting two-for-one.”

“It will be fine,” Keegan says softly, taking my hand in his and weaving our fingers together. “Promise.”

We pull into the driveway of a cute gray and white one-story house. The front porch, which dons several wooden rocking chairs, has a white wraparound railing. And in front of the porch are dozens of multicolored flowers. Everything about it is homey—and nothing like what Sierra and I grew up with.

I love it.

“You ready to meet your grandma and grandpa?” I ask Zane after Sierra takes him out of his car seat and hands him over to me.

“Do they have SpongeBob on their TV?” he asks, dead serious.

“Yeah, bud.” Keegan laughs. “They’ll have SpongeBob.”

The moment we step through the front door, a petite, brown-haired woman, dressed in a cute cardigan and khaki capris comes barreling out from what I assume is the kitchen with a bright smile on her face. Following her is an older version of Keegan—he must be his dad. He has messy brown hair like his sons, but because he’s older, it’s not as thick. He’s wearing a white collared shirt and khaki shorts.

“Come here, sweetheart!” I assume she’s talking about Zane, so I’m shocked when her arms open wide and she wraps herself around my body. “My son has told me so much about you. I’m so happy I get to finally meet you.” She pulls back slightly to assess me. “You’re gorgeous.” She smiles sweetly at me then glances over at Sierra. “You both are.” Barely releasing me, she says to Sierra, “Come here,” and pulls her into our hug. “I hate what happened with you and Keegan. Him losing your number and you girls having to take care of my grandson alone all these years.”

Tears prick my eyes. I wasn’t expecting the warm welcome, and I wonder if she has any idea just how much it means to me. “It’s okay,” I tell her, unsure of what else to say.

“Well, I can promise you that you will never be alone again. You have all of us now. I’m so excited to be a grandma,” she gushes. “Anything you need, you just let me know.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.”

“Oh no! You call me Larissa, or Mom, whichever.” She winks. “And this here is my other half.” She waves her husband over.

“I’m Paul,” Keegan’s dad says with a friendly smile. He has the same dimples as his sons and grandson. “It’s very nice to meet you.” He looks at Sierra. “Both of you.”

“You too.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Now where is that adorable grandson of mine?” Larissa asks, and Zane giggles.

“I think she means you, bud,” Keegan says.

“I’m right here!” Zane squeals as Keegan tickles his side.

“Oh my word! The picture your daddy showed me didn’t do you justice. You really are a spitting image of your daddy.”

“I look like my uncle Kolton too!” Zane laughs. “He has the same face as my daddy!”

Everyone in the room cracks up laughing at that.

When Kolton showed up this morning with Keegan, Zane was shocked to learn there were two of his daddies. Keegan explained there wasn’t two of him, but that the second one was his twin brother. Zane was hesitant at first, but after Kolton spent some time with him—and totally won him over with the chocolate donuts he brought—Zane came around.

“He does,” Larissa says. She puts her hands out and Zane goes into her arms willingly. “You can call me Grandma and this here is your grandpa.” She points to Paul.

“My friend Melissa has a grandma and grandpa,” Zane says. “She calls them Grammy and Pop Pop. Can I call you that?”

Kolton snorts out a laugh, and Keegan’s parents light up like they’ve just won the lottery. Sierra glances my way, and I can see the tears in her eyes. Zane may not be her son, and these people may not technically be her family, but what’s happening here means as much to her as it does to me. She knows how much I wanted this for my son. To have a real family. Even if our parents had been alive, they never would’ve accepted Zane, and this situation, the way Keegan’s parents are. My father would’ve freaked out that he was conceived out of wedlock, embarrassing him and in turn, our family—even though he had done enough to embarrass himself with his shady dealings. He would’ve probably disowned me, and my mother would’ve followed his lead because she was too scared not to. Most likely, she would’ve snuck over to visit, but she would’ve never let my father know.

“You can call us whatever you’d like,” Paul says, bringing me back to the present.

“Daddy said you have SpongeBob,” Zane says, obviously feeling right at home and ready to get back to the important parts of life.