“Arsen!” I spin around to see Ember running full-speed towards Marina and I as we are about to take our seats for her recital.

“Hey, firecracker.” I grin as she leaps into my arms. This fucking kid, she never lets shit get her down.

“I’m so glad you guys could make it! The kids are going to be just thrilled!” She pulls away after giving me a death squeeze to do the same to Marina. A woman she’s only spoken to on the phone nearly every day this past week, taking her time away from me. “Oh, Marina, it’s so nice to finally meet you!”

“You, too, Ember. The kids look great in their costumes.” Marina grins as some of the younger ones walk by where we’re standing.

“Your Mom’s sewing circle did an amazing job! Are Dennis and Claudia coming tonight?”

“They are.” Marina looks around. “Don’t tell the kids, but all the ladies are, and they’ve got special treats for everyone.”

Ember’s eyes tear. These kids have been her life for almost two years now. Helping them, getting to know about them and their families. My sensitive sister has absorbed their pain as her own.

“Thank you, Marina. For everything. You and your mom have been marvelous.”

Marina pulls Ember in for a hug this time, and I just barely hear her whisper, “I meant it when I said my mother is your mother. I’ve always wanted a sister.” I couldn’t be prouder of my woman than right there. Witnessing her do that for my sister just makes me love her that much more.

“Kol here yet?” I ask when they pull apart.

“Saving seats for you guys.” Ember’s smile is sad this time.

“Not a lot of parents are coming, are there?” I ask.

“No.” She brushes off her melancholy quickly. “I have a favor to ask. My friend Thea should be in the audience, too. Big green eyes, light, light blonde hair. Looks like a super model really. Could you guys introduce yourselves, and umm…” She trails off and looks away.

“What, Em?”

“She’s terrified. She doesn’t get out much. Don’t let Kol scare her off, okay?”

“Got it,” I say as she shoos us away. As soon as we enter the small seating area, we spot the woman she has to be talking about, sitting two rows behind Kol.

“Kol!” I call, and he turns around. His gaze stops on Thea before ever meeting mine. I watch, fascinated, as my little brother becomes just as enthralled with the woman as I did with Marina. “Another one bites the dust.” I laugh.

“Thea?” Marina asks, touching the girl’s shoulder lightly as we approach her. When she startles, I’m shocked to see stark fear in her gaze. “I’m Marina, Ember’s friend. This is Arsen and Kol, her brothers—she points to each of us in turn. She’s asked us to sit with you, would that be alright?” A sharp nod is the only answer.

Kol and I share a look. My brother seems slightly pissed, and I shake my head, knowing full-well he’s about to go into protector mode. Marina sits on one side of Thea while Kol jumps over the chairs to sit on her other, nearly crowding all her space. I shake my head at him as he puts an arm around the back of her seat.

“He’s going to scare her,” I mutter to Marina.

“It’ll be fine.”

“Marina!” I hear Claudia call and smile as I see not only has she brought her sewing circle but their husbands and any grandkids they may have.

“Your Mom’s aces, Ari,” Kol says to her when he sees all the people they’ve brought. The lights begin to dim, and everyone takes their seats as Ember appears on stage, surprised to see so many people in the audience.

She gets choked up as she begins to speak, and I’m incredibly proud of the woman she’s growing into. Ember is going to do great things.

* * *

I was shocked when Mom informed me she was bringing everyone. I had assumed she only meant the women. These kids are in for a real treat today.

As Ember takes the stage, I can see a lone tear escape her eye as she sees the full house. “Oh wow,” her voice cracks a bit. “I can’t thank everyone enough for coming. We wanted to give a special thank you to Claudia Parks and the women of Fayetteville’s sewing circle for your generous time and donation. These kids deserve every ounce of happiness I’ve seen in their eyes tonight. I hope you enjoy their show!”

The lights dim as she backs away into the curtain, and soon, a soft melody of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” plays as children begin to filter onto the stage. Starting with the really young ones dressed as stars. Their faces transform as they glide across the floor with fluid grace.

The music picks up a beat as it transitions to “You Are My Sunshine,” and some older kids enter the stage dressed as sunflowers. I watch, wholly entranced, as these kids don’t waver as they move around one another. Their motions are graceful and practiced.

“Ember is amazing.” I lean into Arsen’s side.

“She really is.”

When the next crescendo hits, “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” from Cinderella plays, and girls and boys of all ages come out dressed as princes and princesses. They look incredible, and I’m so proud of the job my mother and her friends were able to do in such a short period of time.

The small recital only lasts another thirty minutes before all the children are taking their final bow. The curtains close, and the cheers and applause make the entire center deafening. The music was simple, yet elegant. The dancing was promising and enthralling. These children are so lucky to have found an amazing teacher in Ember.

As we all stand and prepare to make our way to find Arsen’s sister, Thea leaves in a rush. Kol scowls, and I find myself curious about the young girl and what’s had such a traumatic impact on her. I wish I could have told her that no matter what it is, she can fight past it.

“What did you think?” Ember rushes from the dressing room as Mom’s sewing circle goes in to help the kids with their costumes and give them their goodies.

“You did great, kid.” Kol leans forward to kiss her cheek.

“Couldn’t be prouder of you, Em.” Arsen kisses her other cheek.

“That music was perfect for every twirl and plié!” I croon.

“Where’s Thea?” Ember asks, looking around us.

“Fucking left.” Kol seems annoyed by that.

“Oh.” Ember shakes off her disappointment as a few of the children’s parents come over to thank her for working with the kids so well. I was shocked that not more came out.

“Miss Ember.” One boy of about five tugs on her skirt.

“Yes, Jacob?” She squats down to his level.

“Mama left this for you.” He hands her a note, and as Ember opens it, I crouch down to him. “Hi there, Jacob. I’m Marina.”

“Oh my God.” Tears fill Embers eyes.

“What?” Arsen and Kol both ask.

“You have pretty eyes,” Jacobs says, stealing my attention once again.

“Why, thank you. I thought you danced wonderfully tonight.” I smile to ease some of the anxiety I see on his face.

“You think so?” He slips one hand into mine.

“You were my favorite little star out there!” I can see Arsen and Kol reading the letter Ember was handed, and as Arsen’s gaze meets mine, they’re furious.

“Hey, Jacob.” He crouches down with us. “I’m Arsen. Did your mama say anything else when she gave this to you?” I’m confused until he shows it to me quickly, and my heart breaks for this beautiful little boy.

She left him.

Abandoned him.

“No.” He shakes his head and his bottom lip wobbles as he picks up on the emotions surrounding him.

I see my parents coming closer with huge smiles on their faces, and when they see how serious our small group is, the happiness fades.

“Hey, Mom, Dad. Do you think you can get the kids home safely?” I ask, knowing I can’t, and won’t, abandon this sweet child clinging to my hands like I’m his lifeline.

“Of course, honey. Is everything alright?” She looks at everyone.

“It will be,” I tell her. “We’ll make it okay.” Arsen nods at me. Kol’s on his phone in the corner, looking angrier with each passing minute.

As Arsen talks with Kol, Ember and I take Jacob out front to say goodbye to the parents that brought their kids as we wait on what the next move is.

It takes another six hours before we find out that Jacob’s mother has indeed left town. Signed over all of her rights to the boy to the state and wiped her hands clean of him. After speaking with social services, as well as his kindergarten teacher, we discovered he lived in a home of abuse and drugs. That, in some ways, he’s better off that she left him with us than at home by himself.

It doesn’t make what she did right, but at least, we can help.

“He can come home with us,” Arsen says as we leave Jacob to sleep in Arsen’s childhood bed, shocking me.

“Home?” I croak. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it.

“With us,” he reiterates.

“We could do that?” My eyes are misty with tears.

“We have a meeting with his social worker first thing in the morning.” He grins at me.

I walk up to him, unable to contain my excitement, and wrap my arms around his waist. “I love you so much, Arsen. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”

He doesn’t say anything, and when I pull away, he drops to one knee, a gorgeous princess-cut diamond with a white gold band in his fingers. “Marina Parks, it’s not too soon. It’s just right. You and me? We’re solid. We’re everything. I love you. Until the end of time, I will, and nothing will ever change that. Jacob will be icing on our cake. Will you marry me?”

Speechless, I don’t know what to say. Tears are running down my face when a little hand grips mine from behind. Looking down, I see Jacob smiling, even though his world has fallen out from under him today.

“Say yes already!” I hear shouted from the bottom of the stairs by multiple voices.

“How could I say anything else?” I tell him, and he stands, placing the ring on my finger and lifting me in his arms. A deep kiss is dropped on my lips, and for the first time in my life, I feel complete. I feel like I’m finally living the life I’m meant to have.

“She said yes!” I hear Jacob yell to the nosy nellies, and cheers, louder than the performance, fill the entire house with so much love.