Grandkids.
That’s what it will take. We’ll be there soon enough. If this weekend goes like I’m hoping it will, we’re definitely going to be on the right track. I take my time walking over to where the four of them are standing in the driveway. Aurora grins and loops her arm through mine. “Mom, Dad, this is Grant. Grant, this is our mom, Sheila, and our dad, Hank.”
I offer her mom my hand first. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for letting us crash your trip.”
“Come here.” Sheila bypasses my offered hand and pulls me into a hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you in person.”
When she finally releases me, I offer Hank my hand. “Sir.”
“Nice to meet you,” he says, taking my hand.
“This place is beautiful,” Sheila comments.
“Oh, Mom, you have no idea,” Aspen tells her.
“Each bedroom has a bathroom, and you all can pick from any that are not already claimed,” Aurora tells them. “Aspen, Grant, and I chose the third floor, Conrad too, I think.”
“Any room will be fine. We’re just glad to see our daughters in the flesh,” Hank says, pulling both girls back into his arms for a hug.
“Need help with bags?” Marshall asks, joining us.
“Marshall, these are our parents, Hank and Sheila,” Aspen introduces them. “Mom, Dad, this is Grant’s youngest brother, Marshall.” The three of them exchange handshakes. “I put your bags in your room,” he tells Aspen.
“Thank you.” She smiles up at him, and I make a mental note to ask Aurora or even Marsh himself if there is something going on there.
“Dad stole the baby,” Conrad says, stepping up and placing his arm around Aspen’s shoulders.
“Serves you right. You stole him from me.” I glare at him, making him laugh.
“You had to meet your girl’s parents,” he counters.
“Mom, Dad, this is Conrad, another one of Grant’s brothers,” Aurora introduces us. “Con, these are my parents, Sheila and Hank. The baby he’s talking about is Owen and Layla’s. He’s one of Grant’s older brothers, and their son is three months old and the cutest tiny human you’ve ever seen,” Aurora gushes.
I don’t tell her that the title should be saved for our kids. I’m not sure her parents would appreciate that.
“Like your kids aren’t going to be adorable,” Aspen fires off.
“Um, yeah, he’s going to be a Riggins,” Marshall comments.
“Is there something you’re not telling us?” Sheila asks Aurora with a coy smile.
“No. Trust me, that’s not something I would be able to hide in this family.” She gives her sister a pointed look.
“Ooh, you’re in trouble,” Marshall teases Aspen.
“Come on in. I’ll introduce you to my parents and the rest of the family.”
“We’ll grab the bags,” Conrad tells them.
“Thank you.” Hank shakes his hand, and then the four of us head inside. More introductions are made, and Mom pulls the girls away to the kitchen, leaving me standing alone with dad and Hank.
“You want to see the property?” I ask him.
“Sure.”
“Dad, you want to come with us?”
“Nah. I’m going to find my grandson. Hank, make yourself at home. Your daughters are family to us. That means you are as well.” They share another handshake before Dad walks away.
“Let me grab us a couple of waters.” I move into the kitchen and find Aurora sitting at the island with the rest of the women. “Hey, babe. I’m going to walk your dad around the property.” I lean in and kiss her temple. “We’ll be back soon.”
“Okay,” she replies, her voice low. “Be safe.”
“Always.” I wave to the women in my life and turn to find Hank in the doorway watching me. “All set,” I say, holding up two bottles of water, and lead him out the back door of the cabin.
“It’s a beautiful place,” Hank says, breaking the silence between us.
“Yeah. We love it here. Although, back home, Mom and Dad have a lake, and it’s where me and my brothers spent most of our time growing up.”
“You and Aurora seem to be close.”
I nod. “I love her.” There is no point in holding back.
“She’s changed since the move to Nashville. Aspen says we have you to thank for that.”
“No, sir. I never want you to thank me for loving her. It’s as easy as breathing for me.”
“I guess I don’t need to ask you your intentions.” He chuckles.
“Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about that.” I stop and pull the ring I bought weeks ago out of my pocket and hand him the box. “She’s my everything. I’ll love and cherish her for the rest of my life.”
“You have my full support. You brought the happiness back into my baby girl’s eyes. That tells me all I need to know about the man that you are.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, my voice cracking. “You’ve just given me the greatest gift. I— knowing that we have your blessing, that means the world to both of us.”
“Take care of her,” he says, handing me back the ring box.
“Always,” I assure him, accepting the box. “You didn’t look at it.”
“Nope. I want to see it for the first time on her finger. I want to see the light and the sparkle in her eye that should have been there the first time. When do you plan on doing it?”
“This weekend at some point. I’m not sure exactly. I wanted to ask for your blessing, and the rest I have faith will just fall into place. Everything with her always does.”
Epilogue Aurora
Aurora
Today has been the best day. The. Best. I’m thrilled to have finally formally introduced Grant to my parents and have our families meet. When Grant and my dad got back from their walk, we had dinner ready. Me, Mom, Aspen, Lena, Sawyer, and Layla grilled steak and chicken and made a ton of sides. We do have an army we’re feeding. The sun is setting over the horizon as we all watch my dad and Stanley start a fire.
The past few weeks have been insane, but life is finally starting to settle. My money was returned to my account, and Elijah and his sidekick were both charged with fraud and extortion. They’re both serving two-year sentences in county jail. I’d love to say that I feel bad about it, but I don’t. They knew they were breaking the law. It was their choice to do so.
I was finally able to hire two full-time employees, and they are working out fantastically. Aspen and I have not had three full days off since we moved here, so that’s another reason to celebrate on this little weekend getaway.
“Jase and Sam are coming up tomorrow. They’re bringing Aria too,” Royce says, looking at his phone, and pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Oh, good.” Lena claps her hands. “Another baby to love on. You know—” she starts, but Sawyer interrupts her.
“We’re pregnant.”
I look over to find my brother grinning like a fool. He’s looking at his wife with so much love in his eyes. “Babe, I thought you wanted to wait?”