Chapter Thirty-Nine
Two Weeks Later
Hunter
“I got a present for you, buddy.”
Vince looked at me with big, sparkling eyes, waiting for what I was going to give him. I held the box wrapped up in a cartoon gift wrap and a blue ribbon on its top. He was beaming at me, excited to see what I had been hiding behind my back.
He was seated at my desk table, reading some of his new books Nana gave to him since last week. My son had worked hard to accomplish more than the normal kids his age did, reading and learning new things in preparation for the next school year. He spent his summer days enriching his mind with new skills, being the most goal driven kid I had ever met.
I was truly grateful to have a son as great as Vince.
“Don’t be too excited, kiddo.” I held the box, securing that it was out of his sight. “You’ve got to do something before you claim your gift.”
“Gifts are given for free, Daddy. You should have said it was a prize if something needed to be done to get it.” He crossed his arms beneath his chest like an old man. Vince had a point. I was amused by how wise he had grown.
“It’s just a simple task, buddy. Come on, don’t be a party pooper.”
Garren joined the conversation, taking my side. “Come on, Vince. It’s not that hard of a task, and you’re going to love this.”
“Okay, Daddy. I give up. What is it then?” His eyes were curious to know what I had in mind.
I whispered to him my thoughts, telling him the plan I had been thinking for days. After I had told him everything, he looked at me with surprised eyes. I thought for some seconds that he would not like to help me with the scheme, but he drew a smile on his face followed by two thumbs up.
“Then here’s your present.” I reached out the box for him to take. He thanked me after taking it from my hold, carefully unwrapping the present from its cover. I watched as his curiosity triggered him, his eyes glistening to see what was inside.
His mouth was open in surprise upon seeing what it was. A vast range of coloring materials was in front of him. It was a simple gift, but I knew my son had been dying to have one since we spotted it in the stationary shop. He jumped off of his seat, spreading his arms to hug me in a huge, bear hug.
“Thanks, Daddy! It’s the best gift ever! I love you!” He pulled my shirt’s hem as I knelt to kiss his cheek.
I stood up and patted his head. “Now start coloring the other books you have not yet finished.”
He sat back at my desk table and enjoyed the variety of coloring materials I gave him. I turned to face Garren; he looked impressed.
“Wow, I never thought you had good taste. Your gift giving skills seemed to have improved dramatically.” He looked at me with a smirk on his face, making fun of the situation he’d just witnessed. Instead of punching him, I smiled at him and turned my attention back to Vince.
“Well, I guess that’s a fact.” He looked at me with crooked brows, but his smile was still drawn on his face. He must have been expecting a verbal kick in the nuts, but I was a changed man because of my girl. I was no longer the man who had a short temper and shitty mood swings.
“Oh. Where’s the Hunter I know? What the fuck happened to my best friend?” he teased, raising his hands as a symbol of retreat.
I laughed at him. “I never felt better. A lot has changed since Kylie came into our lives, but it’s all for good. Everything turned out to be perfect, and it’s all thanks to her.”
“Well, I agree with that. No one else would put up with your crazy ass.” Garren winked and let out a sigh before turning up to look at me, his expression fading. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry for messing with your head, man. I thought Kylie was just one of those girls who would love you today and leave you tomorrow. Forgive me.”
I turned at him as he smiled. “Absolutely, man. You were just trying to protect me and Vince.”
“Yeah, but she's a special lady. You keep her close to you and never let her go. A one of a kind woman rarely comes into a man’s life.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder, patting him lightly as I expressed my gratitude to my best friend. “You got it, man. I hope someone special comes into your life soon too.”
*
When lunch time came, I went in search of Garren.
“Hey, man, Vince and I are eating at the store with Kylie and her mom. You going to be okay here for a little while?” I stopped by the counter and put a hand on his back.
“Oh, yeah. No problem, man. Have fun.” He smiled over at me before walking toward a customer who walked into the shop.
I walked back to my office and stuck my head through the door. “Hey, buddy. Lunch with Kylie and Nana sound like a plan? I thought we would surprise them.”
“Yes! I would love that.” He got up and grabbed his stuff, skipping to the car next to me as I chuckled. It was nice to have the little guy so excited about something as simple as having lunch with our future family.
As soon as we arrived at the store, Vince got out of the car and ran toward the door. Nana greeted him with a tight hug.
“It’s been quite some time since you’ve been around, Vince.” Nana held his face in her aging hands and looked into my son’s eyes. “Tell me how your health is. How are you feeling, little one?”
“I am stronger and healthier more than ever, Nana! My blood sugar level is in the normal range, plus I don’t feel pain or sleepy all the time anymore. I can help around the convenience store and do any task you ask me to today too. My dad said that I am ready for my shift!” He looked like a convenience store’s staff reporting to his boss.
Kylie walked toward him after attending the last customer in line. “Excellent. Then, give this man something to do, Mom. He’s our best employee, and we need him badly.” Kylie knelt hugged him tightly. Despite the two living under one roof, I was amazed by how much they missed each other for a short span of time.
It really felt like we had a new family. A strong one.
“Right, then. Kylie, why don’t you take him toward the refreshment section and refill the fridge?” Nana asked.
Kylie and Vince nodded in unison, going to the station together with a little too much excitement. It caused me to laugh. They were the perfect duo, a great team. My smile faded as another thought ran through my head, one that touched my heart deeply. They were like a mother and son, and anyone who didn’t know our story would believe that to be the truth.
I turned to Mrs. Tomms, leaning over the pastry stand as I looked at what was in the display. “How are you?”
“I’m good. I’m wondering how you are today.” She gave me a knowing smile. “Feeling more like the kind of man I would be proud to call my own?”
“I do. I’m sorry for everything. I love Kylie so damn much, and I messed up. I was just scared of loving and losing again, but I should have followed my heart. I hope you’ll forgive me for hurting your daughter.” My heart was racing, but I had to get all this shit off my chest. I needed Kylie’s mother in my corner. She’d soon be my mother, the only one I had.
“I do forgive you.” She smiled over at me. “You look happier, more full of life.”
I stood up straight, listening to what she might have to say. Kylie’s mother knew her more than anyone else. She had loved her so much. Seeing her daughter loving Vince as if he were her own, she had treated my son as his grandson by blood.
“I’m beyond happy and Vince is too, thanks to you and your beautiful daughter. She’s the light of my life.” I slipped my hands into my pockets and moved between my feet as nerves tore up my insides. I wanted her mom to like me, but I had some rebuilding to do for sure.
“Well, I thank you too. She’s become a complete woman. I can’t believe how Kylie has changed since you two got back together. I had never seen her this happy and content in her adult life, and it’s because of you and Vince.” I felt my heart swell in my chest as she continued. “She truly loves you. I know you are well aware of that, but I just wanted to let you know how I see things from my perspective. You don’t know how devastated she was when you two parted ways.” She took a red velvet cupcake from the rack, handing it to me. “But that’s in the past now. We have the future to look forward to.”
“Thank you for everything, Mrs. Tomms. You have become a mother figure to me and my son too. I owe you a lot of things, and my relationship with Kylie would not be as strong as it is now without your support.” I was grateful for her unending help. She was truly a part of my new found family.
She looked at me with blissful eyes, her smile bright and gleeful. “There’s nothing to thank me for, Hunter. Anyone my daughter loves, I love too. You are like a son to me, and Vince is my grandson whether he likes it or not! You know how much I enjoy reading books with him.” She looked at me and then turned her attention to the two. I followed her gaze, watching Kylie and Vince finish their task together.
They shared a high five as they walked toward us. The smiles on their faces were enough to melt my heart. Everything was perfect.
“What are you grinning about, Hunter Yonnie?” Kylie asked and stopped in front of me, plucking the red velvet cake from my hand. “See something you like?”
“Nope.” I wrapped my arms around her, not caring who was watching. “I don’t see something I like. I see someone I love.” I leaned in and kissed her.
The sound of her mother and my son gagging was enough to cause all of us to laugh. My family was officially together, and we’d never break apart again. Not if I had something to say about it.