Epilogue
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The next morning, Grant and Viviana stepped out of their car onto the sidewalk in front of the Thompson home. From a distance, the man standing on the porch could have been Andrew or Ian. He was tall, ruggedly built and dressed in khaki shorts and a white T-shirt.
“He doesn’t look happy to see us,” Viviana whispered.
“I’m sure it’s a shock,” Grant said, trying to sound calm even though he had no idea what to say to a brother he was meeting for the first time.
Kent met them on the step, blocking their way inside. “You must be Grant. I googled the Barringtons last night.”
“Hello, Kent.”
“Kade,” the man corrected. He came down another step. “Before this goes any further I need to set you straight on a few things. I am now fully informed about what happened in Aruba and why you’re here. You need to know I’ve had a wonderful life. The people you threatened yesterday will always be my mom and dad. They have been the most caring, supportive, loving parents anyone could ask for. I appreciate that you all want to meet me, but it won’t be done in a way that hurts them. Are we clear?”
Grant saw a little Asher in him as well, but in a good way. “I respect that, but you need to understand that while you didn’t know about us we mourned for you. We never forgot you. Your real mother sees this as you being brought back to life. Take her feelings into consideration as well. Your twin might also be a little clingy. She has always held out the belief that you were alive.”
In that moment, Grant glimpsed some of the confusion Kade was feeling. It was gone in a flash, replaced by the same stubborn look Kenzi often displayed. “Your mother birthed me. My mother saved me from killers. She sacrificed everything to protect me, and she never put that fear in me. She suffered silently and bravely. I don’t know what you expect of me, but my life and my family is here.”
Viviana stepped forward and said, “I lost my mother when I was eight. Now, you might not care about that because you don’t yet care about me, but I spent my life longing for one mother. You have two. Two women who love you unconditionally. Sophie is a generous, kind woman, also. Let her into your life, let the Barringtons into your life. No one is asking you to choose, just open your heart and let more family in.”
Grant nodded in approval. “What she said.”
Kade’s mouth twitched as if he almost smiled. “Do you sky dive?”
Grant shook his head. “No, but Andrew was a Marine. He’ll jump out of anything at any speed.”
“Do you surf?”
“No, but your twin Kenzi loves Jet Skis. She’s an amazing swimmer as well.”
“Hike?”
“I’m more of a treadmill warrior,” Grant said.
This time Kade did smile. “So you wouldn’t be interested in camping in the outback. There are places so vast you can see the curve of the earth, so open you’ll see more stars than from anywhere else on the planet.”
“That sounds like something you should get Lance to do, just don’t let him hear any wild animals or he might swim home,” Grant joked.
“That’s awful,” Viviana said with a smile. “Lance is a respected architect. Just because he is a little sweeter than the rest of you doesn’t mean he wouldn’t appreciate a good adventure. Not that he has time now that he has the twins. Oh, I hope he brings them and Willa. Kade, Pamela will love them. Those two little ones are adorable.”
Kade nodded and seemed to relax. “How many people are coming over?”
Grant started naming his siblings, spouses, and their children. With each name, Kade’s eyes widened more.
Viviana linked hands with Grant. “Technically, I will soon be family, too. We’re getting married. Maybe here since everyone will be here. Wouldn’t that be fun, Grant?”
“Fun,” Grant said, swallowing hard.
Viviana slapped her forehead. “I’ll start planning something. Oh, my God, I have to invite my dad and brothers. They are going to die when they hear where we are. My dad is excited that we’re engaged, but he wants the wedding to happen before the baby comes. This would be perfect.” She started to bounce with excitement. “Kade, my brothers would love to do everything you asked about. Do you mind if I call them now?”
Grant and Kade looked at each other, both at a loss for what to say in the face of her excitement.
For the next several minutes, Grant and Kade were a silent audience to a fast-paced feminine rundown of everything that had happened, along with an invitation to a wedding that had technically not yet been agreed to.
She put her phone on speakerphone. “Dad says they’ll come. You have to hear how excited Dylan and Connor are.”
“We’re fucking going to Au-stray-lia,” Dylan said. “I’m going to catch a kangaroo and name it something cool. Do you think they have them everywhere? Like you’re walking down the street and bam one just walks by.”
“They hop,” Connor said. “Do you not know what a fucking kangaroo is? And I’m sure there are laws against catching them. Like the manatees in Florida. You can’t molest them.”
“I’m not going to kiss it. You’re disgusting, Connor.”
“That’s what they call it when you bother a wild animal. Tell him, Dad.”
“Maybe that’s what they call what you do with wild animals, Connor,” Dylan said.
“Shut the fuck up, Dylan.”
“No, you shut up. If I want a kangaroo, I’m going to get a kangaroo.”
Kade looked from Viviana to Grant and asked, “They’re really coming here?”
“Oh, they’re even better in person,” Grant said with a huge smile.
Thankfully, Viviana was too busy telling her family all about how they would probably fly over in a private plane. Grant hadn’t thought it was possible to love her more, but when he saw Kade smiling as he listened to her, he fell in love with her all over again.
He had a feeling that was something he was destined to experience over and over. He would marry Viviana in Australia, Boston, or on the moon if that’s what she wanted. No matter what the future brought, they would tackle it together—and she’d find a way to make him laugh while they conquered it.
THE END
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