Flashing our son a teasing grin, Brady said, “You should count your blessings, big man. I suggested we make you start back at one.”

Desperate for some kind of backup, Travis turned to Tom. “Isn’t there some kind of law…”

“Hey, hey, hey! Kid, don’t drag me into the middle of this!” Tom joked. “Charlotte almost kicked me out the last time I sided with you.”

“That’s because everyone knows mustard is the superior condiment!” I exclaimed, making nearly everyone in the room gag.

Tanner sauntered onto the deck, a beer in his hand, the faintest tint of red lipstick smeared on his lips. “Let’s not get carried away, Charlotte.”

I glanced over just in time to see Rita walk out behind him, dabbing at her lips.

“Sloth, don’t start with me,” I clipped.

The room laughed, and I even saw Travis’s frown momentarily curl into a secret smile.

Surprisingly enough, despite the early dramas, our families had merged together seamlessly. Lynn and my mom had become fast friends, joining forces in operation Spoil Our Grandchildren Rotten. And, yes, that was grandchildren. My mom had not hesitated in taking Hannah on as her own. I kind of loved her for that. Tom was a little slower on the uptake. It took a few months, but he eventually stopped scowling at Porter, and more recently, I’d even caught them laughing and sharing a beer on the porch. It seemed no one could resist Porter Reese’s charm.

I knew I couldn’t.

“I seriously have to be eleven for another year?” Travis continued his argument.

“Yes!” we all answered in unison.

The truth was I didn’t care what age he was. Just as long as he was there.

It was March seventh and I was celebrating with my family.

That was a miracle in and of itself.

“Blow out the candles, bud,” Porter urged.

Travis twisted his lips. “Can I still get that twelve-plus game on my iPad?”

I rolled my eyes. Porter shook his head.

But it was Brady who yelled, “Of course!”

Travis’s face lit, and then the candles went dark.

But, for one single second, time stopped and the sun hung in the sky.

I sucked in a sharp breath and reflected on those ten torturous years spent in the darkness. Each day leading me closer and closer to the most blinding of lights.

And then time started all over again.

On my son’s eleventh birthday, with my husband’s hand folded over mine, Travis laughing behind his cake, and a gorgeous little girl who would forever be mine sitting on my lap, I witnessed the brightest sunset of my entire life.

The End