Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“We’d always counted on my mother, but she’d passed,” Eammon told us all. “I had no idea my father would so enjoy being a grandfather. When I was growing up, my mother did everything, which was amazing, but didn’t offer him a chance to spend much time with us kids. Plus, he was working as the breadwinner. But with Finny…” He trailed off and cleared his throat, obviously a bit overwhelmed.
“They went to the park every day, they walked around the neighborhood every day. There was the museum and the zoo, and the aquarium. He took Finn to the movies, he was the one who went to help out in his kindergarten class, and you could not have asked for a more supportive, involved, loving grandparent.”
Eammon nodded.
“After he passed—and Finn and Eammon were each holding one of his hands—Eammon served as executor of the estate. The way things were divided, no one was surprised, and everyone got the money they anticipated. But the things that were surprising was that Finn got his coin collection, his pocket watch, a cavalry sword that he’s since donated to the Field Museum that is on permanent display in his grandfather’s name, and a lovely piece of land just outside of Donegal in Ireland.”
“We have land in Ireland as well, but certainly not in Donegal,” Eammon said, chuckling. “And the last thing my son received was that beautiful ring that my father wore for sixty-two years when he was married to my mother, and put into a box, with hers, the day she passed.”
“Oh,” Kola said, standing up, “I had no idea it was antique, sir. I’ll make sure I give it back to him, and we can get––”
“No, son,” Eammon said firmly. “Finn wants you to wear that, and I suspect with the fact that he has you wearing it on your left hand, with the heart facing out, that he’s telling everyone who might wonder, that he’s staked his claim.”
Kola smiled.
“I understand that you gave him a lovely platinum pendant that’s a one of a kind.”
“I did. I wore it for years, but so you know, I got him a Claddagh ring as well, in platinum. It’s at home in my chest of drawers. He told me that he wanted rings just like the ones his grandparents wore, and that you wear now, and he asked me if that was okay. I told him the truth, that I love traditions and I was happy to keep them going.”
That was it. Anne started crying before she stepped forward and wrapped Kola in her arms. “Oh, love, please forgive me for earlier. I was just surprised is all.”
“I know,” Kola soothed her, hugging her back.
Once Anne let him go, Eammon hugged him.
“Excuse me,” a voice said behind us.
When we all turned, there was a nurse there in purple scrubs with pale blue polka dots on the top and bottoms. Her lanyard said her name was Chelsea, and without my reading glasses—the horror—I could no longer make out the smaller text of her last name. Not being able to see everything, all the time, was a new and horrible chapter. Chelsea, however, was darling. I loved the messy bun, her freckles, how dark her auburn hair was, and the wisps around her face. I especially liked her smile.
“Mr. Murray is awake now, and he’s asking for you, Mr. Kage.”
Kola nodded. “May I bring his parents with me?”
“Certainly. You can bring everyone just to say hi, but you’re the only one who will be able to stay longer.”
“You all go,” Hannah suggested. “We’ll stay out here. I have to text George anyway. Tell Finn we love him.”
“Or…maybe just that we like him an awful lot,” Jake amended. “I mean—I think love is laying it on a bit thick.”
“Same,” Wick agreed, pointing at Jake. “That.”
“Are you two done?” Harper asked.
Jake and Wick exchanged looks, and then both shrugged.
Boys.
Sam and I and Anne and Eammon followed Kola, who was right behind Chelsea, who was the one telling Kola how good Finn looked and how much better his coloring was.
His bed was in a row of them with the curtain drawn, and when we reached him, he saw Kola and immediately held out his arms for him.
Kola darted around the bed and fell into his arms, face pressed into his shoulder as he clutched his boyfriend tight. Finn had one hand in Kola’s hair and an arm around his back, eyes closed, soaking in the contact. They were both shaking.
Anne smiled as she watched them; so did Eammon. I turned to look at Sam and nodded. I could honestly say that in that moment, I had an epiphany. These people were going to be my in-laws someday, and I couldn’t say I was disappointed.
“I like Jake’s parents better,” Sam said when we were in the car going home.