Page 119 of First Surrender

“Where is it now?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. It used to be in my special box.”The one that I’ve had in my office for months.“That’s what he wanted that day at my school. He knew I had them I guess but I didn’t know where they were. He was so mad.”

That bastard. He was never interested in a relationship with his son, he only wanted his drugs back. He took Dec and Natalie that day because he wanted his drugs.

I can’t believe they’ve been in my possession this whole time. I could be angry that I missed the opportunity to put Declan behind bars the proper way, but I’m glad that the drugs haven’t been on the street. They aren’t in any hands that would spread them.

“I’ll take care of it. Thank you for telling me, it took a lot of courage.” I squeeze him to my side. “I’m sorry you had to bottle that in for so long, buddy.”

“Natalie was doing so much for me and I was afraid she would get arrested. I was so scared. If I just told him where they went then maybe he would have left us alone a long time ago,” he stutters through his words, the guilt weighing heavy on him. It’s a dilemma he should have never had to navigate alone.

“You guys are both safe now. No more secrets, okay? I’ll take care of everything.”

He nods his head against my arm. “We’re really staying here forever, now?” He asks, never moving from my side.

“Yeah, as long as it’s okay with you.” I clear my throat, my earlier nerves coming back. “I want to marry your sister and become a real family. Do you think you’re ready for something like that?”

“You would be her husband?”

“Yeah, I would.”

“What would that make me then?”

“You would be my brother. You’re Natalie’s brother by blood and you’d be my brother by law, but you’ll always be my boy. You’re my favorite kid. Nothing will change that.”

“What if you guys have babies?”

“Then you’ll be an uncle but it might even feel like being a big brother.”

“I could be a big brother and an uncle?” He asks so enthusiastically that I can’t help but laugh.

“Absolutely. You’d be the best at both jobs.”

“Thanks for picking us, Jackson.”

“No, Dec, thanks for picking me.”

“Oh my God, I love you guys,” Natalie squeals, running into the living room. Her face is streaked with dried tears. She was definitely listening the whole time.

She launches at us both, forcing a group hug over top of the dog’s head, making both Dec and I crack up.

“Sissy, you’re squishing me,” Dec utters through his giggles.

“Sorry, sorry.” She releases him and plops herself onto my lap. Her head rests against mine as Dec starts rolling around with the dog on the floor.

“What are you going to name her, Dec?” She asks.

“I don’t know.”

Nat turns to me, looking at me closely. “What about, honey?”

“Honey?” Dec asks.

“Is that supposed to be a Winnie the Pooh, bears like honey reference?” I ask.

She runs her fingers through my hair and smiles. “Can be, but that’s not why I picked it.”

I watch her curiously as she looks at me mischievously.