Kelsey sat in the passenger seat of Ares Tesla the following night as they zipped along to Modesto. He’d asked her to come with him to see his family. He’d said they were as much hers as they were his, that they would love her as much as he did. Even now, it made her tear up.
“I’m so proud of you for taking this step. I know how hard it is.”
Ares picked up her hand to kiss her knuckles. It was such a beautiful gesture, one she could never have imagined a month ago. But
she’d dreamed of it a million times.
“With you by my side, it’s not hard.” He twined his fingers with hers on the console. “I want to know my brother and sister better.
And it’s time to reconnect with my mother. I’m ready to start a new life with a new family.” He gave her the look that melted her
heart every single time…and heated her straight through. “And with you. Especially with you.”
She knew her heart was shining in her eyes. “I wonder what everyone will say about us being together.”
“They’ll ask why it took so long. Especially Sally. I’m pretty sure if we didn’t get our act together soon, she was going to lock us in a
bedroom and not let us out until we found our happily ever after.”
“She didn’t just adopt you and the other Bevericks,” Kelsey said in a soft voice. “She adopted me too, a fully grown woman who
was desperate for a family. For a home.” Kelsey lifted her eyes back to Ares. “Our family is going to be as happy as theirs.”
“It is. Because we’ve learned from the best.”
He pulled over to the curb a few moments later where all three members of the Lowells family were outside waiting by the short
hedge around the small lawn in front of Tessa’s house. A flower box edged the porch, ready for spring flowers in a few months.
Kelsey and Ares were received with smiles all around and hugs from Tyler and Kathy, then they all trooped inside.
“Have you eaten dinner?” Tessa had obviously wanted to hug Ares too, but she’d held herself back.
“We have,” Ares said. “But I brought dessert.” He set a pink bakery box on the kitchen table. “Mrs. M’s trifle is legendary.”
“How lovely. I’ve put coffee on.”
Kathy flipped open the bakery box. “Oh my God. It looks like a billion calories.” She laughed. “I’ll just have to run an extra five
miles tomorrow, because I’m not missing this.”
“Need some help, Mom?” Tyler asked, then automatically helped her get down the mugs, setting them on a plastic tray.
The house wasn’t large, with an L-shape for dining, kitchen, and family room. There was no formal living room, but Kelsey thought
rooms that didn’t get used except on formal occasions were a waste of space anyway. Everything was neat and clean, the tile counter
sparkling, though it had a couple of cracks in it. The appliances were older, but who cared as long as everything worked? The place
was homey, and that was the most important thing.
Tyler carried the tray of mugs, bowls, a cow-shaped creamer jug, and a sugar pot into the family room, setting it on the coffee table.
Tessa brought the coffee carafe, and Kathy followed up with the trifle.
“Would you like to do the honors, Ares, since you brought the dessert?” Theresa held out a big serving spoon.
“You go ahead, Mom.”
She faltered, her hand trembling as she looked at him in shock. Then with joy. Her eyes shone with moisture as she smiled and said,
“All right, dear. Big piece or little?”
“Huge,” he said. “We’re celebrating.” He grinned at Kathy. “All the calories are free tonight.”
Sitting next to him on the sofa, Kathy leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, big brother.” Kelsey knew the show of affection
had nothing to do with the cake and everything to do with their mother.
After Tyler had poured coffee and passed around the cream and sugar, Ares held up his mug. “I’d like to make a toast.” They all
raised their mugs as he said, “First, to our mother. You did a fabulous job of raising your children.”
“Oh Ares.” A tear slid down Tessa’s cheek. “I didn’t raise you.”
“You did for nine years. Then you let me stay with Sally and George, who finished the job. I will be forever grateful for that
opportunity to become the man I am.” Tessa swiped at the tears streaming down her face, and then he reached for her hand. “I know
now that you did the absolute best you could in difficult circumstances and that you made the only choice you felt you could at the
time. I don’t want you to feel guilty about that anymore. I had a great life with George and Sally, and I’m looking forward to an even
better life going forward, with you in it, along with my brother and sister.”
Kelsey was so proud of Ares that her heart felt close to bursting with love.
He raised his mug again. “To Tyler and Kathy. I’m honored to have you as my brother and sister, and I want to get to know you both
much better.”
They clinked their mugs with his, and Kelsey thought Kathy might start crying too. Even Tyler’s eyes had grown shiny.
“Thanks for not kicking us out the day we showed up at your house uninvited.” Tyler grinned and lifted his mug higher. “To family.”
Ares grin was a mirror to his brother’s. “To family.”
They all cheered.
“One more toast.” He turned and faced her. “To Kelsey. The woman I love with all my heart. You have been my friend, my best
friend, for years. I’m damned glad that by the time I finally woke up and realized I couldn’t live without you, I hadn’t lost you.
Because you’re everything to me. Everything.”
Kelsey didn’t think twice—she simply leaned over and kissed him right there in front of his family.
“It’s about time,” Kathy said, as if she’d known they belonged together that very first day she’d met them.
“I’m so happy for you both.” Theresa squeezed Kelsey’s hand.
“Me too.” Tyler’s grin was even wider now as he held his cup aloft in another toast.
“You’re all as lucky as I am to have her.” Ares looked at Kelsey with all his emotions in his gaze.