Roman's Vow (Riley's Pride #4) - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,104

firmly.

Talie nodded, feeling more grateful than ever that she was surrounded by all the people who were embracing her and warmly welcoming her into their lives and their family.

“He should be home soon,” Roman said.

“Yeah, I think so, too,” Riley agreed.

“Hey!” Roman exclaimed. “Somebody got some pictures of the baby to show me?” he asked.

“Yeah, look at this!” Maia said, reaching for her phone after she placed a casserole dish in the microwave, closed the door and pushed the buttons to turn it on.

Maia walked over while she swiped the screen on her phone, looking for the start of the photos of Clay. “Here he is,” she said, handing the phone to Roman.

Roman took the phone and his face filled with warmth and love when he looked at the baby.

Talie noticed it and smiled to herself.

Maia noticed Talie noticing it and smiled, too. Then she leaned over and hugged Talie from the side where she stood between them. “Welcome home, Talie,” Maia said.

“Thank you, Maia. Thank you for everything you did for Darcie while I wasn’t able to,” Talie said.

“It’s what families do,” Maia said, tousling Darcie’s hair when she lifted her face to look at Maia upside down as she leaned over Talie.

“Look, love,” Roman said, holding the phone out for her. “He’s got three chins already!”

Talie laughed. “Oh my gosh! He’s precious!” Talie exclaimed.

“Okay,” Maia said, walking back over to the oven and the microwave. “I’ve got chicken enchiladas, corn and crab bisque, fried shrimp and hush puppies, and yeast rolls. Who wants what?” Maia asked, turning around with a spoon in her hand.

“Bisque!” Talie said, raising her hand.

“I want the bisque!” Riley said.

“I called it first!” Talie teased.

“I want fried shrimp,” Roman said.

“Shrimp!” Darcie said.

“I just want hush puppies,” Cristie said.

“Good, that leaves me the enchiladas!” Maia said, with an evil laugh, “Mwahahahahah!”

“I want enchiladas,” Lucas said.

“I’ll share, if I have to,” Maia said, winking at Lucas.

“I’ll have shrimp, too if there’s enough,” Constance said.

“Seriously? Have I ever not had enough?” Maia asked.

“Does nobody care that I want bisque and Talie called it?” Riley asked, pretending to be put out.

“Hey, you gotta be quicker than that,” Talie teased.

And just like that, their family grew and enveloped Talie, holding her close in their arms and hearts, just like she’d always belonged there.

Epilogue

“What do you want to watch tonight?” Roman asked, knowing the answer before he even asked.

“Practical Magic,” Talie answered with a grin.

“You know we watched that last week?” he asked, teasing her, knowing full well he’d watch whatever she wanted.

“But I love it so much,” she said.

“I know. That’s fine. I’ll get the popcorn,” he said.

“And I’ll go tuck Darcie in,” Talie said.

“Okay. Tell her I’ll be there to kiss her goodnight in a second,” Roman said.

“I will,” Talie said as she walked down the hallway to Darcie’s room.

Talie walked into the bedroom and smiled while she watched Darcie laying out her school clothes for the next day.

“You’re very organized, aren’t you, baby?” Talie asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I like to be sure that I have everything exactly where I need it so I won’t have to worry about anything,” Darcie answered, as she double checked her backpack for her completed homework and then walked over and climbed into her bed.

Talie knew Darcie’s need to check to be sure she had everything she needed where she needed it was a result of everything she’d been through. “I’m sorry that things were tough for a while. But you do know that we don’t ever have to worry again, don’t you?” Talie asked. “We’re at home with Daddy now, and he’s not ever going to let anything happen to make us unhappy again, right?” Talie asked.

Darcie nodded, but she didn’t look convinced.

Talie walked over and pulled up the comforter snuggly around Darcie and tucked her in. “What’s wrong? Don’t you know that Daddy and I will always, always, make sure our family is safe and secure?” Talie asked.

Darcie nodded again, but didn’t look her in the eye.

“Darcie? Baby, what’s bothering you?” Talie asked, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

Darcie shrugged.

“Tell me what’s bothering you. I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me what’s happening,” Talie said.

“I don’t want to,” Darcie said.

“Why not? There’s nothing you can’t tell me,” Talie said.

“Because I’m afraid that you’ll be scared and we’ll have to move again. And I don’t want to move again,” Darcie said, bringing her hands up from beneath the covers to grasp the edge of her comforter where it