Chapter 26
The boys turned ten.
Double digits.
Ethan couldn't believe it.
It seemed like only yesterday they were tiny babies, sleeping three to a crib.
Now they were young men.
James was the scholar. Quiet. Brilliant. Curious. He loved science and history and reading. He wanted to be a doctor when he grew up. “Like Dr. Chen,” he would say.
William was the artist. The performer. He loved music and drama and making people laugh. He wanted to be an actor. Or a singer. Or maybe the president. He hadn't decided yet.
Michael was the athlete. The protector. He loved sports and physical challenges and standing up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves. He wanted to be a police officer. Or a firefighter. Or maybe a soldier. He wanted to help people.
Olivia, now five, was still the knight princess. She loved her brothers fiercely. She loved reading and dancing and learning how to fight (with toy swords, much to Claire's chagrin). She wanted to be a “lady knight” when she grew up. And a baker. And a mom.
Ethan looked at them and saw the best parts of himself and Claire.
And none of the worst parts of Margaret and Hale.
They were good kids. Kind kids. Kids who had been raised with love and security and values.
They would never know the pain of betrayal.
Never know what it was like to be unloved.
Never know what it was like to wonder if their parents wanted them.
That was Ethan's greatest achievement.
Greater than the company. Greater than the money. Greater than any building he had ever constructed.
He had built a family.
A real family.
One based on love and trust and loyalty.
One that would last.
One summer evening, they took the kids camping.
It was their first time.
Ethan had planned everything. Tents. Sleeping bags. Food for s'mores. Stories around the campfire.
James was excited about identifying constellations.
William was excited about telling ghost stories.
Michael was excited about exploring the woods.
Olivia was excited about the s'mores.
They set up camp near a lake. The boys helped Ethan pitch the tents. Claire and Olivia prepared the food.
That night, they sat around the campfire.
The stars were bright. The air was cool. The lake was calm.
William told a ghost story that wasn't very scary but was very dramatic.
James pointed out constellations.
Michael demonstrated how to build the perfect fire.
Olivia ate three s'mores and got marshmallow all over her face.
When it was time for bed, Olivia crawled into Ethan and Claire's sleeping bag.
“Scared of the dark?” Ethan asked.
“No,” Olivia said. “The dark is my friend. Knights aren't scared of the dark. I just want to be with you and Mommy.”
Ethan held his daughter close.
Outside, the crickets chirped. The fire crackled.
Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted.
Ethan looked at Claire. She was already asleep, Olivia tucked safely between them.
He thought about how far they had come.
From a tiny apartment in West Ashley.
From betrayal and loss and pain.
To this.
A perfect night under the stars.
Surrounded by the people he loved most in the world.
May you like
Ethan closed his eyes.
He was home.
