They sure did. Besides their upcoming wedding, Sierra had sold the property in Napa for a better than decent price to a developer thanks to Mason’s brilliant negotiations on her behalf. Most of the insurance money she’d received went to paying off the loan and setting up college funds for the kids, but she invested the property money and set aside a chunk in savings for a rainy day.
Going forward, she and Mason would combine their funds. Mason’s income far exceeded hers. He’d told her she could quit her job or scale back her hours. Whatever she wanted to do. He had no problem supporting them. At first, she’d balked at the thought of not working. After what David had done to her financially, she wanted to know she had the money if something happened. But then she reminded herself that Mason wasn’t David. He didn’t hide things from her. He didn’t lie. She trusted him.
So she talked to her boss and scaled back her hours to thirty a week so long as she was available by phone for emergencies. After the wedding, her new hours would take effect.
And who knew, maybe she’d quit altogether when a new baby came along. Talk of marriage had sparked talk of expanding their family. They planned to start right after the wedding, and Sierra couldn’t wait. She wanted another child. Mason loved the boys, but he dreamed of a child of his own. She wanted to give him one. Maybe two.
“You’ve got that sweet smile again.”
“This year we’ll celebrate our wedding. Maybe next year we’ll celebrate the birth of our child.”
Mason’s hand brushed down her arm and swept over her hip. “I can’t wait.”
“A few months ago, I had nothing left of my old life. The boys and I came here with next to nothing. We have a whole new life and it’s wonderful and so full I couldn’t ask for more.”
“I didn’t know how much I was missing in my life until you came back into it. I can’t help but feel like this is how it was always meant to be.” He kissed her softly.
“Kissing again,” Oliver announced to Danny who followed him into the kitchen.
“Aren’t we supposed to leave now?” Danny finished buttoning his white dress shirt.
Oliver had also changed into his party outfit.
The boys looked great in their black pants and white dress shirts.
“I guess I better get dressed.” Mason kissed her on the forehead and gave each boy a shoulder squeeze on his way out.
She smiled at Danny and Oliver. “How lucky are we?”
They both stared back at her, wondering what she meant, but deep down they understood. In the years to come, with the life she and Mason would give them, they’d understand.
Home is where you are always loved and welcome.
Chapter Forty-One
Dede wanted the party to be everything Sierra and Mason deserved for this happy occasion. So far, the guests seemed happy, the food and drinks were plentiful, and everyone gathered in small groups to chat on this beautiful sunny day.
She checked her watch. Almost time for the cake and a toast to the happy couple. The caterer was already setting out the plates and forks.
The poster by the cake table caught her eye again. She loved how Sierra had blown up the old Polaroid of her and Mason sitting on the dock when they were teens. Amy had snapped a new picture of the pair in the exact same pose. The poster showed the two pics side by side. They’d grown up, but their smiles—and the way they looked at each other—were the same.
“Thank you so much for the party, Mom. It’s beautiful.”
Dede encircled Sierra’s waist with one arm and used her other hand to point to the poster and the old photo. “Those two belonged together.”
“It took us a while to get here, but we’re really happy.”
Dede turned and faced Sierra. “Thank you for including Heather and Hallee. I know it’s hard, but I think it’s important for both of you to keep a connection no matter how tenuous.”
Sierra put her hand on Dede’s shoulder. “I mostly did it for you, Mom, but I also wanted to see if I could do it without making today about the past. And I can. Today is about me and Mason and our love story.” She held her glass up toward the poster, the past and future represented. “I want to keep looking forward, not back.”