Zane and V were next, the two of them laughing and smiling while Zane rested his hand on V’s protruding belly. The guy was on top of the world these days, just as exuberant as always. After they’d nearly lost Zane a couple of years back, Brendon welcomed Zane and his obnoxious ways. There were some things in life he took for granted without realizing it, but when they were nearly stripped from him, it all came down to one thing: love. When Zane’s life had nearly been stolen from them, things had changed. For everyone. They’d grown closer, and Brendon was forever grateful for the outcome.
Kaleb was piling food on Zoey’s plate while she looked at him as though he were crazy. Brendon liked to think he was. Kaleb had been the one to set the dominoes in motion, and as Brendon looked over at Cheyenne he realized they’d all settled right where they were supposed to be.
The clank of metal on glass brought the conversation to a halt and everyone’s attention turned to Curtis standing at the end of the table.
CURTIS WATCHED AS all eyes turned to him. Smiling to himself, he fought the overwhelming emotion that encompassed him as he pointedly made eye contact with each of his boys before speaking.
“I know y’all are probably wonderin’ what the special occasion is, so I thought I’d enlighten you,” Curtis explained, reassured by Lorrie’s warm hand on his leg. “Well, today’s not a birthday, an engagement, an anniversary, or anything like that. Today’s just a normal day, one that I’m grateful for as much as all the others. I’m not usually the type to make a speech, but I felt this was necessary because as we all sit here together, I want us to reflect back on everything that’s taken place over the last couple of years. And once that’s done, I want us to look at what’s on the horizon.
“I’m incredibly blessed,” Curtis continued, placing a hand on Lorrie’s shoulder. “Fifty-two years ago, my life was irrevocably altered when this woman agreed to marry me. I was eighteen years old and she was fifteen, which should help you to understand why it wasn’t always a smooth path for the two of us, but with love and tremendous patience—more on her part than mine—we’ve come this far.”
Everyone chuckled and Curtis’s heart swelled.
“Lorrie made me whole, completed me in ways even I didn’t understand, and for the last two years, I’ve watched my boys—each and every one of them—go through the same thing, coming to terms with their happily ever after. Kaleb would easily get the award for the most tenacious. Although the rest of us had seen it coming from a mile away—and I’ll never understand how they didn’t—it took my boy a long time to figure out what was right in front of him.”
“But I got there, didn’t I?” Kaleb asked, laughing as he kissed his pregnant wife on the cheek.
“You did. But sometimes we wondered whether that would ever happen. I’m glad that it did.”
Curtis’s gaze strayed to Zane. He swallowed the lump of emotion that formed in his throat as he looked at his youngest boy. “As for the most ornery, that one goes to you, boy. Never in all my life was I as grateful for your stubborn streak as I was the day we found you in the hospital. You fought when we pleaded for you to and you didn’t leave us. I’m not sure you truly understand the impact you have on our lives, but not a single one of us would be in the place we are today if we’d have lost you.
“And V, you gave him something to live for, even if you didn’t realize it at the time.”
Tears formed in V’s eyes and Curtis had to look away to keep his emotions from bubbling over.
“Of course, the most strong willed easily goes to Travis, and I don’t think anyone would argue with me there.”
“Thanks, Pops,” Travis responded with a grin.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Curtis told him. “I could’ve ripped you a new one when I found out about Kylie. That woman deserved so much more than you gave her, but I respect that neither of you were in the right place at the time.” Looking at Gage, Curtis added, “And there’s no doubt in my mind that they weren’t there yet because you weren’t. Although I don’t understand it most of the time, when I look at the three of you, it just makes sense.”
Gage nodded his head in understanding.
Turning his attention to Ethan, Curtis continued, “And you, son … well, you get the award for most guarded.” Curtis pierced Sawyer with a look before glancing back to Ethan. “My love for all my boys was the only thing that kept me together when you were hurt. I know he doesn’t like credit, but Sawyer kept me sane, when otherwise I would’ve been in jail. And that event altered my life in ways I hadn’t expected. Your mother and I sat back and watched you retreat into yourself for years. Although we hated it, we understood, which was why we let you make your own way. If there’s ever any doubt in your mind about your true worth, look to that man right there”—Curtis pointed to Beau—“and you’ll see everything you need to. He’s a superhero.”