by Colora, R.
He and MJ are sitting on the floor playing video games. When he sees us at the door, he goes into his bag and grabs an envelope.
It is addressed to Katie and me. Silently, he continues to play with MJ. Katie and I walk to out of the bedroom and open the envelope.
Katie and Michael,
If you're reading this, it means I'm dead. I know finding out I named you as Ashton's guardians might come as a shock to you, and you’re probably wondering why. I can only give you one reason. Love. The love that you and Katie have for each other. Your son and your family, I watched it with envy in my heart for so many years until James and I found it in each other, as much as we tried to live our own lives separate from my family, their toxic hold was never far away, always lurking trying to infect Ashton. If they have not been implicated please I ask with my dying breath, fight to keep Ashton from them. They are pure poison and will only turn him into a monster like Randall. Katie, I know you will treat Ashton as your own every day for the rest of your life. That is the type of woman you are. Michael, I know it will be hard to look at my son and see James and me. I know what we did to you all those years ago destroyed your relationship with Katie and led to your illness. But I beg you to please look after my boy. James and I were once your friends, please don’t let our one childhood mistake harden your heart to our son. I know this seem so surreal, I'm sorry, but I needed to make sure Ashton went to a loving family and not fall into the foster care system. Please forgive me for burdening you. I am just a mother trying to do the best for my child. May God forgive me for all my sins and all the heartache I have caused you two.
Sincerely,
Rachel St. James
Katie and I sat on our bed holding each other. We talked about the great memories of Rachel and James before they fell under the influence of Randall's evil.
"How long before we can start adoption procedures?" Katie inquires.
"I'm not sure, but I will call the lawyers tomorrow and get whatever we need started. Are you okay with this, Katie? We have MJ and a new baby on the way."
"Michael, I would have done the same thing as Rachel. I would have grabbed at any lifeline to make sure MJ had the best life possible."
"Let's see if our boys are hungry," she says, and she hops off the bed and pads toward MJ's room.
"Hey," I hear her call from the doorway. "Are you guys hungry?"
I hear MJ say, "I'm always hungry." Ashton doesn’t respond.
When I hear them head toward the stairs, I see Ashton looking around his room.
"Your mom, James and I grew up together. We use to be thick as thieves; they were the friends I always got into mischief with. When we were all around sixteen, your uncle started doing drugs. Nothing serious at first, but as time went on your mom and dad and even me just kind of went along with him."
"I know," Ashton said. "My dad told me what he did to you. How he and my mom broke you and Katie up. He didn’t tell me how, but he said he betrayed a friend, and it cost that friend the life he was supposed to have. Any time my mom would see you or Katie, she would hide. When I asked why, she said she hurt two people she used to love and was embarrassed."
I sit on the bed and face him. "Ashton, Katie and I forgave your parents a long time ago. They were kids, and they made a bad choice. Katie forgave me for a really bad choice I made, so I couldn’t still hold the grudge for your parents. Ashton, do you want to live here with us?"
"I don’t want to go back to that place; the people are mean, and the kids are meaner. I miss my dad and my mom. I'm scared, and I'm sad and I am nervous that you are going to hate me and that MJ is going to hate me."
"I don’t hate you," MJ says from the door. "Your dad saved my dad, and now I get a brother. I’ve been alone for a long time, and now I get you, and we are gonna have a sister soon. Come eat the sandwich my mom made you. I know you won’t be ready to think of me as your brother or my mom and dad as yours, but you are part of this family now. You better hurry; my mom gets super crazy when she thinks people are wanting food."
I pat Ashton on the back, and we make our way to the kitchen.
"I made you half," Katie says nervously.
"Thank you, Katie," Ashton responds. "Can I have a drink?"
"Do you want juice or water? You only get soda on Pizza Fridays."
"Water would be great." She pulls out a bottle of water.
"This is going to be new for all of us, but I want you to know that I knew you were coming, Ashton. I didn’t know when or how, but I was waiting for you."
Ashton smiled and took a big bite of his sandwich. "Can I have another one?.
"Sure," Katie says. I stand next to Katie helping her make the boys and me a second sandwich.
Chapter 29
Katie
Five Years Later
MOM!" I hear Ashton yell. "Do you know where my cleats are? I can’t find them anywhere! I have to get to practice!"
"Well, you should put your stuff away." I see Ashton roll his eyes.
"Roll those eyes at me again, mister, and I will cuff your ears."
"She will do it!" MJ called from his room. "She cuffed me this morning when she tripped over my helmet."
"Mom, you tripped? Are you okay?" Ashton comes barreling out of his room.
"I'm fine," I say, rubbing my very large belly. "I didn't fall! I just tripped."
"MJ, you can’t leave your shit lying around! Mom could have really been hurt.
"I know! I said I'm sorry already! Jeez, cut me a break, Ash."
"Let me know when you guys are ready for the game. I'm going to get Rita and Rachel ready, and your dad will be meeting us at the game. He had a few things to finish up at the office. Everyone is coming, even Isabelle, Jax, and Max flew in for the state finals!" I hear MJ groan.
"No one is going to be paying attention, they are going to be focused on K3 being there."
"Hey, your cousins took a break from their tour to support you."
"I know, Mom. I miss them. They haven’t been home much in the last year," MJ says as he finishes packing his sports bag.
"Maybe they will bring some of the smokin' hot back-up dancers with them!" I hear Ashton say.
"Hey! You are both fifteen! You have enough time to think about girls! Focus on lacrosse and school."
"Yeah, yeah!" MJ says. "You know Grandpa Joe says you and dad were loved up by the time you guys were our age."
"Don’t listen to Grandpa Joe, he is a crazy ass Indian chief."
I hear both of the boys yell, "TRUE!"
Michael is waiting for us at the gate when we arrive. Rita runs to him, her arms straight behind her. She is four, and a complete Daddy’s girl. When Rachel sees Michael, she starts kicking and fanning her arms to get down so she can follow her sister. She toddles over to her dad, who picks her up, and she blows raspberries on his face. At two years old she thinks this is the funniest thing in the world.
MJ and Ashton jog up to Michael.
"Remember, you two, it’s all about fun! Win or lose, you guys play for fun!"
"We know, Dad!" they say in unison.
It has been four years since we put the ugliness of his uncle and grandparents behind us and legally adopted him. It took a long time for him to open up, but with the help of Estelle and reinforcements from the Kerrigans, he soon became just like any other cousin in the family. I can see everyone up in the bleachers. Because of K3, the boy's older cousin's security has roped off part of the bleachers. The fans are respectful, even though they are an international sensation. They sign a few autographs, and they ask everyone to help cheer on their cousins who are both starting for the Wildcats.
The game is explosive, and our boys win the state championship 5- 3 with each of our sons scoring a goal.
On our way out of the field, I see the young woman in front of us drop the phone out her pocket. I see MJ run trying to catch her. When she turns around, I see MJ step back like he has been knocked back.
We walk up just as he hands the gi
rl her phone.
"You dropped this," he says.
"Thanks," the beautiful girl says.
"Are you new here?" MJ asks.
"I just moved back to the Ute Reservation."
Michael leans in and whispers, "And so history repeats itself." I can’t help but chuckle as I watch.
"I'm MJ Kerrigan." I see his chest puff out with pride and roll my eyes at the groan his father releases.
"I know who you are, MJ Blackwell. Thank you for returning my phone." The girl turns around and walks toward her friend. I see Ashton push his brother toward the group, giving his brother a nod that says 'stop being a wimp'.
"Do I know you?" He jogs after the girl. Michael and I watch MJ shuffle from foot to foot.
The girl smiles. "I gave you your first kiss."
"Lacey!" I hear a man call. It's Ralph Billings.
I smile and wave as he comes up to Michael and me and shakes our hands.
"Katie, long time, no see! I see you’re doing well."
"I am. How are you?"
"I'm great now that I'm home! It’s been rough these five years since I lost Lacey's mom. I moved us to Florida for work, but I came back when my dad took ill."
"It seems Lacey and MJ have picked back up where they left off."
"She cried every day for months when we left. She missed him something awful."
"Mom, can Lacey come to pizza with us?"
It's Michael that chimes in. "Son, this is Ralph Billings. You need to ask his permission."
I see MJ square his shoulders and extend his hand to Ralph. "Sir, I'm MJ Kerrigan, and I would like to take Lacey out on a date."
"Hmm, I don’t have any objection, but I would think you would have to ask Lacey."
MJ turns toward Lacey. "Would you like to come for pizza with my family and me? My parents can drive you home afterward."
It takes Lacey a minute to think before she says, "I don’t like weird stuff on my pizza
"I know," MJ says. "You only like pepperoni, just like me."
"Ralph, as soon as we are done we will drop Lacey off at the Res."
Everyone says their goodbyes and off to pizza we go.
The older kids ride with Michael, and I take the babies with me. It is a short drive to the pizza place, and I use that time to think about how much has changed for the better in my life. Ashton and MJ are as close as two brothers can be, I have two amazing little girls who chant "pizza" in the back-seat, and we have a set of twins on the way; one boy, and one girl. I will have three boys and three girls, the love of my life by side, and a large extended family. I miss teaching, although, I still get to spend some time in the classroom as a substitute teacher a few times a month, but I miss molding students every day. Once the twins are born, I will not be able to even sub. Six kids will take up all my time. I smile as I think to myself: six amazing kids and maybe a few more, if I'm lucky.
Chapter 30
Michael
10 Years Later
It’s our ten year wedding anniversary, and I'm picking our two sons up from the airport. MJ has just finished his masters in finance, and Ashton is coming home after a final tour of service in the Marine Corps. They met up in New York and are coming in together on the same flight. I’ve missed my two oldest sons. I'm glad MJ decided to come work for his Uncle Liam and will be relocating to Denver, and Ashton is joining Estelle’s father, Antonio, at his security firm. I will have both my boys home to help keep the boys away from his sister, who at fourteen is a stunning beauty. She has skin the color of copper like Katie's, and the Kerrigan blue eyes. She also got our height, standing at almost six feet tall. She has been used for a few commercials as well as print ads for a number of retailers. Rachel is petite like her mother. She is my clone in both looks and personality.
The twins, Arkin and Ariel, take after the Kerrigans with fair skin and light eyes. Our final daughter Maggie and our last son Finn are both dark and tall with my bone structure. We have eight children, and I would keep getting Katie pregnant if she let me. I love nothing more than seeing her belly swollen with my children.
"Dad!" I hear Ashton call first. They both give me a hug. "Mom still doesn’t know we are coming, does she?"
"Nope, I kept it secret like you asked me to."
MJ finally builds up the nerve to ask, "Have you seen Lacey?"
"Yes, I saw her at a benefit for the hospital. She was just named the youngest chief of staff in the history of Denver Hospital."
I see MJ look out the window. I know things ended badly for them. They dated from the time they were fifteen until right before they finished college at DU. Then when it came time Lacey decided to go to California to medical school, and MJ headed for New York for his MBA, things went south. I know a part of this issue was Lacey was saving herself for marriage, and MJ had raging hormones. Lacey cried on Katie's shoulder after MJ left. She just didn’t feel like she could have sex before marriage and while MJ wasn’t pressing her, she felt like the temptation of other girls was too much for MJ to keep ignoring. In the end, they went their separate ways, much to the dismay of Katie, who felt Lacey was already her daughter-in-law. Ashton was always the ladies’ man. He liked his women fast and loose. We just prayed he wouldn’t get anyone pregnant, and he proved to be responsible.
I know Katie misses the boys and will be ecstatic they are coming home for good. I know my wife, and if she has her way, MJ and Lacey will be back together. She has been shamelessly talking up Ashton to our part-time nanny, Meagan. I hope she knows what she is doing. Meagan is a sweet kid. She grew up in foster care and is working her way through college. She works for us two afternoons a week and weekends and Katie thinks the sun and moon sets on the young girl. Truth be told, I am fond of her also. She goes out of her way to help Katie with things that aren’t even asked of her. She is great with the kids, and she is pleasant to be around in general. Yes, I think I will help Katie get the ball rolling. I started this journey with Katie making all kinds of mistakes. Mistakes I learned from and grew from in the last ten years. I have fallen more in love with her every day. She is the other half of my soul.
When we arrive home, I see Katie out front running in the yard with the kids, making giant bubbles. She is still as beautiful as the day I met her. Her smile is bright, and when she sees the boys, she screams and runs toward us, jumping on them both on at the same time. Their siblings soon follow. I look at my family, and I rub the ache in my chest. Every broken road led me to this moment. I close my eyes and send a silent prayer up to James, Rachel, Maggie, Rita, and Richard. They all made sure I made it here to this exact moment. The moment I look across into the yard and see all my roots, the people who nourish my soul, I can't help but grin. I worked to become a root for Katie, but she became a root for me.
She comes over and throws her arms around me. "I can’t believe you kept this from me." She plants kisses all over my face. I return her kisses with one filled with passion.
"Ewwww!" we hear from the chorus of kids behind us.
"Hey, how do you think all of you got here?" I say with a grin.
"Yup, your dad’s right," she says with a grin then turns back to me. "You’re going to be a daddy again," she whispers in my ear.
I pick her up and whirl her around. "We can’t stop at nine, we need to make it an even ten."
"Sounds like a plan," she says as she kisses me.
We make our way into the house where MJ and Katie start cooking, and Ashton sits at the counter eating a sandwich.
"Hello," we hear from the side door.
"Come on in the kitchen, Meagan!" Katie yells.
Meagan puts her bag down on the floor by the door. I see Ashton stop with his sandwich held halfway to his mouth.
"Hi," he stutters. "I'm Ashton Kerrigan,
"I know," she says. "I’ve heard all about you from your mom. Thank you for your service." She extends her hand, and when they shake, I see Meagan pull her hand back quickly.
"Sorry, didn’t mean to shock
you," she wipes her hand on her pants leg,
I can’t help but smile at Katie, who is watching with a gleam in her eyes.
And so it begins. Now just to get Lacey and MJ back on track; I think Katie and I will have to do some meddling.
Meagan joins Katie behind the counter, and MJ sits by his brother. He gives him a head nod toward Meagan causing Ashton to blush.
Katie wraps her arm around Meagan to ask her if she's bringing a date to the party. I hear a low growl from Ashton, and MJ nearly falls out the chair laughing. Two brothers, one from Katie’s womb, one from her heart and both are equally loved. The Kerrigan family has been blessed in so many ways: wealth, health, talent, and intelligence, but our biggest blessing has always been family.
About the Author & a Note to Readers
I live on the Southwest Coast of Florida with my husband and three daughters. I spend my time reading and shuttling my kids to and from activities. I'm probably a lot like you; maybe you always had a story to tell but you were too shy to admit you’re a writer in your heart.
In my 30 plus years, I have had a lot of jobs; office worker, cable company employee, nurse. I even went to cosmetology school. While doing all of that, I filled notebooks with stories of these amazing families, or sexy shifters, even a few magical lands. Once I was finished writing, I would throw the notebook away. I never dreamed I would have a book on Amazon. . I even went to cosmetology school. While doing all of that, I filled notebooks with stories of these amazing families, or sexy shifters, even a few magical lands. Once I was finished writing, I would throw the notebook away. I never dreamed I would have a book on Amazon.
I wrote this book without adding one stitch of punctuation. Truth is, no matter how many classes I have taken, I just don’t comprehend where a comma should go. That stopped me for more than 20 years. I trusted two strangers I met on Facebook, see it’s always easier to share things with strangers behind a screen than family, who might judge.
This book was just two chapters I sent to those two strangers. They gave their time to a stranger with a dream to write, so my advice to you is, LIFE IS TOO SHORT. Find what you love and do it for as long as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask advice and beg for help. I hope Kate, Jeannie and Jeanne continue my journey with me.
