Page 46 of Glacier

My heart settled in my chest, and my breathing evened out. Unclasping my hands, I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and moistened my dry lips. “About two days, no more. The hardware store has everything you’ll need. If possible, I’d like to move there over the weekend.”

Dad smiled. “We’ll try to make that happen for you, sweetheart.”

I stood and walked over to him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, Daddy,” I whispered so only he could hear.

He patted my arm. “You’re welcome, baby. I’m going to miss the hell out of you, though.”

Tears pricked my eyes even as I chuckled. “I’ll miss you too. So much. Thank you for everything.”

“Hey, now.” Dad kissed my head. “I’m not dying, and you’re not disappearing. I’ll still see you every three weeks as usual. You’ll need stock.”

“True,” I mumbled into his chest. I stepped back and wiped my eyes. “Love you, Dad.”

His eyes softened and his lips curled up in a gentle smile. “Love you too, sweetheart.”

“What about me?” Gabe butted in.

I laughed at my brother’s pout, which morphed into a grin as he opened his arms.

I walked straight into his embrace. “Love you too,” I assured him, rubbing my runny nose on his chest.

“Ugh, stop it.” He pushed me away with a look of exaggerated disgust that made us all laugh loud enough to wake the baby.

“Oops. That’s our cue to leave,” Libby chuckled.

She gathered up all the paraphernalia that came with a little one, then turned to wrap her free arm around me and murmured, “Happy for you, Juju. If anyone deserves some peace, it’s you. And don’t worry about Fin. He’ll have support, no matter what.”

Libby was an amazing sister-in-law, and my brother lucked out when he met her. “Thanks, Lib. Appreciate you.”

She gave me one last squeeze before turning to my dad to say goodbye. They left in a flurry with Sam, as they were dropping her home.

Dad yawned long and hard. “I’ll see you both tomorrow before Gabe and I leave.”

He kissed each of our heads before going to his room.

I went to the cupboard by the stove and took out the ingredients to make hot chocolate. I always made us each a mug when Fin and I had our serious talks.

Putting a saucepan on the burner, I added milk, chocolate, and a dash of vanilla. When it was ready, I poured it into mugs and added marshmallows. I carried the mugs to the table and slid one across to Fin.

“What do you want to do, son?” I asked after taking a sip.

He eyed me steadily. “We’ve always been a team, Ma. But I also understand that you gave up a lot when you kept me.”

My throat clogged with emotion. Reaching over, I took his hand in mine, gripping it tightly. “It was never a question for me whether I kept you. You’re my son. My heart and soul. I never once regretted having you, Fin.”

“I know. And you’re a great mom.” He smirked. “Sometimes a little lax in the discipline area.”

Cheeky little shit. But he wasn’t wrong, so I let it go.

“Never think that you’re not a good mom. I’ve always known I was loved, and I’ve never wanted for anything. I think this will be good for us both. Remember our conversation a few weeks ago?”

I nodded because I did.

“Now I won’t worry about you if I decide to go to college because no one will fuck with a Kings’ Ol’ Lady and I kind of like that.”

I smiled. He wasn’t wrong about that either. “Will you stay here?”

Fin took a sip of his chocolate before replying. “For now.”