Not every night in our home is blazing with passion. Not at this hour anyway. And not the kind of passion we got used to before the kids arrived.
It’s still passion though.
The deep love and affection for family. Belonging. Having each other.
Something I still give thanks for every single day, even when it’s just a gray sweat pants, daytime TV, and dirty diapers kind of day.
I love every single second of it.
My family. My wife. My kids.
Mine.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
TEN YEARS LATER
Evelyn
“He’ll be here,” I comfort Josh. Worried his Grandpa is gonna be a no-show for his presentation in class.
I admit I do have a flash of doubt myself, but since his surgery, and some shouting matches with Mark over the years, dad’s lightened up about a lot of things.
He manages our own family practice now, something I thought I’d be doing, but once dad could slot back into the life he wanted it’s been smooth sailing all around.
The dreams I had when I was studying to be a doctor turned out way better, and none of them included much doctoring after all that.
I’m a board certified surgeon, a pediatrician that specializes in cardiology.
Something I’d never say out loud if it wasn’t for Mark asking me to remind him what it is I do again as he beams with pride. Always lifting me up with his words as well as his strong hands.
My family is my medicine. My husband. My kids.
I was working full-time and then part-time, then as a consultant. Now, I’m just Mommy and wifey.
A title I prefer a lot more than Doctor and it means I get to be home a lot more.
Josh fidgets and gnaws at his lip, while his teacher has been patient enough, she checks her watch and makes a face that tells him it’s now or never for his presentation.
Just when I’m about to say something, the door swings open, and my dad, along with Mark walks in, Jane in tow.
“Sorry we’re late,” my dad murmurs, apologizing to Josh, not the teacher before he takes a seat right upfront.
Josh’s face lights up at seeing the whole family here, not just grandpa and his mom as promised.
Mark joins me at the side of the room and I take a sleepy Jane from him, he grimaces too at being late but the relief on Josh’s little face is enough to forgive anyone.
It’s not a test, but just something they do in school now. Having kids prepare a presentation about something important to them, getting them up in front of the class, and speaking to build confidence.
I thought Josh’s presentation was going to be about building. He’s always talking about what he wants to build next, his blueprint drawings are beyond the cute stage now.
Mark’s more than impressed but doesn’t feel the need to pressure Josh into making any decisions about what he wants for the future.
Today though Josh has a big technical-looking drawing up on the board but it’s not what he’s chosen to talk about.
The teacher smiles primly and gives an encouraging nod in Josh’s direction to tell him he can start.
There’s an awkward silence, and I feel myself shift nervously as the seconds turn into almost half a minute of silence.
Mark stands strong next to me, and I can feel him nodding to Josh, letting him know we’re all here for him no matter what.
He’s not shy or even scared about public speaking but searching for words.
We all know in a second once he finally does speak that he’s changed his presentation from a talk about buildings to a talk about his family.
I feel a lump in my throat almost straight away, so proud of my boy.
Mark’s hand finds mine and by the end of Josh’s shortened speech, there’s not a grown up in the room with a dry eye.
He talks about his dad and his mom, his sister, and especially he mentions his grandpa, whose here today.
He talks about how his dad saved his grandpa’s life before he was even born by fixing his heart. How proud he is of both of them and his mom too for all being doctors.
For helping people.
He changed his speech at the last minute not because we all turned up, but because he wanted to talk about what matters to him most.
Building things and drawing them is fine, but like all of us in our family, our tribe, it’s the family unit that matters most.
What we do, how we help others, it all comes from the love and solid foundation we feel at home. Wanting to spread that out into the world with everyone we have the chance to help out.
Ten year old’s are sometimes the best audience, and today Josh gets a standing ovation once his presentation is over, nobody minds he went off topic just a little bit.
Like I said, all the grown-ups just got a free lesson in how to be a better human by listening to the heartfelt thoughts of a ten year old boy about his love for his family.
I learned how to cry in public and I think Mark did too, but in a way, only a proud parent does when they see their baby all grown up for the first time.
“Oooh! I didn’t even talk about my drawing!” Josh exclaims, smacking his forehead and rolling his eyes when we go to congratulate him. Me wiping my eyes so he doesn’t think I’m upset.
I watch Josh’s grandpa, my dad do something he would never have done with me in this situation.
He hugs him close and tells him what a great job he did, and maybe next time he can do a talk about his drawing.
And that’s when I see it.
The real healing that family can bring.
The real benefit of open heart surgery for my dad and for Mark, me. For all of us.
The past has come full circle, even before my lifetime, and given us all little Josh and Jane. Given us a living lesson on how to be better people by listening, loving, and helping one another and everyone we meet.
Josh’s talk is at the end of the school day, so it’s perfect timing for us all to go do something as a family.
“How about we go get some ice cream?” Grandpa suggests, looking to Mark and me for approval before lifting Josh up onto his dad’s shoulders and cheering us all along as we agree and make our way to the car.
“You’ve got a proud son there, dad,” he tells my husband, glancing back at me as well.
“And a prouder mom, I’ll bet too,” he adds.
While Mark buckles the kids into the back seat of the car it gives me a chance to tell my own dad something deep and meaningful, keeping in tune with the theme of the day.
“Thanks for coming today, Dad. It means a lot to Josh,” is all I can manage though.
My dad takes my face in his hands and kisses me on each cheek.
“You don’t know how proud I am of you sweetie, of all of you,” he says suddenly, his voice thick with emotion.
I feel Mark hovering behind me, maybe uncomfortable at my dad’s rare show of affection for his only daughter, but dad motions him over to us both.
“And you too, Mark. My brother. My oldest friend,” he adds, taking Mark’s hand with mine and putting them both on his heart.
“It’s here now. The same magic you’ve given those kids. The same thing you did that day to give me life…”
He’s choking up, but all Mark and I can do is hug him. Holding each other for a few moments before Josh and Jane wind down the window, and whine to hurry up for ice cream.
All three of us bunch up in the front bench seat of our car and I hear an echo from a past I was never part of but I know is starting fresh with my dad and Mark.
“Maybe we should head up to the lake this weekend, all of us,” Mark says after my dad suggests a few places to go grab some ice cream.
“Maybe we should,” my dad offers, reaching for my hand and squeezing it.
“I’d like that too, Dad,” I tell them both and in a second both kids are shouting for a lake holiday over ice cream any day of the week.
We can’t change the past, but once we embrace it for
all it is we can heal.
Mark taught me that, without even saying a word.
By giving me his own heart and blessing me with our two babies.
Maybe when we’re at the lake, I can see just where he and dad used to have so much fun. Share the same with our kids.
Get Mark on his own so I can tell him Josh and Jane have a little brother or sister on the way now too.
A new life, adding to the one he’s given me and my dad. The one we all share now.
I love you.
Doctor Love.
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Book 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend
Book 98: Russian Teacher
Book 99: Australian Obsession
Book 100: Russian Next Door
Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend
Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia
Book 103: Best Friend’s Dad
Book 104: Basketball Babymaker
Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian
Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend
Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend
Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend
Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend
Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend
Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen
Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend
Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss
Book 116: Possessive Rider
Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy
Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop
Book 119: Falling For Her Boss
Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista
Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend
Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 123: Bossy Italian
Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend
Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia
Book 126: Nutcracker
Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone
Book 128: Chef’s Kiss
Book 129: Claimed By The Russian
Book 130: Bought By The Italian Mafia
Book 131: Hot Nerd
Book 132: Dad’s Italian Mafia Boss
Book 133: Mine
Book 134: Taken By The Thief
Book 135: Curves Ahead
Book 136: Her Mafia Valentine
Book 137: Doctor Valentine
Book 138: Maid For The Irish Mafia
Book 139: Winning Her Curves
Book 140: Dad’s Cartel Best Friend
Book 141: Dad’s Greek Mafia Friend
Book 142: Lawyer’s Obsession
Book 143: Attending Her Curves
Book 144: Maid for the Russian Mafia
Book 145: Priest
Book 146: Claimed By Dad’s Best Friend
Book 147: His Curvy Office Obsession
Book 148: Easter with Dad's Best Friend
Book 149: Veterinarian's Obsession
Book 150: Curves For Her Older Boss
Book 151: Mob Lawyer's Curves
Book 152: Maid For The Doctor Next Door
Book 153: Possessive Forest Ranger
Book 154: Nurse For The Russian Mafia
Book 155: Dad’s Fireman Friend
Book 156: Russian Mountain Man
Book 157: Possessive Italian Doctor
Book 158: Dad's EMT Best Friend
Book 159: Claimed By The Publisher
Book 160: Mr. CEO
Book 161: His Curvy Castaway Obsession
Book 162: Claiming His Reunion Obsession
Book 163: Claimed By Dad’s College Friend
Book 164: Dad’s Detective Best Friend
Book
165: Attending The Russian Mafia
Book 166: Dad's Biker Best Friend
Book 167: My Dad's Russian Mafia Friend
Book 168: Possessive Landlord
Book 169: Gardener For The Mafia
Book 170: Possessive Fighter
Book 171: Claiming Her Sweet Curves
Book 172: Possessive Camp Counselor
Book 173: Claimed By Dad's Italian Best Friend
Book 174: Possessive Neighbor
Book 175: 4th of July With Dad's Best Friend
Book 176: Claimed By Her Enemy
Book 177: Bodyguard’s Obsession
Book 178: Falling For The Player
Book 179: Possessive Alpha Cop
Book 180: Her CEO
Book 181: Falling For Her Dad’s Boss
Book 182: MMA Fighter’s Obsession
Book 183: Possessive Lawyer
Book 184: Claimed by the British Rockstar
Book 185: Summer Obsession
Book 186: Paris with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 187: Claimed by the Possessive Fireman
Book 188: Possessive Trucker
Book 189: Falling for Dad's Enemy
Book 190: His Undercover Maid
Book 191: Her Innocent CEO
Book 192: Bratva Boss’s Babysitter
Book 193: Sold to the Bratva Boss
Book 194: My Dad's Best Friend
Book 195: His Cabin Obsession
Book 196: Driver's Obsession
Book 197: His Unexpected Love
Book 198: London with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 199: Hot Neighbor
Book 200: Maid for the Hollywood Heartthrob
Book 201: The CEO and the Wedding Planner
Book 202: Claimed by the Italian
Book 203: Dad’s CEO Boss
Book 204: The Mob and His Messenger
Book 205: Rome with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 206: Haunted by Her Curves
Book 207: Her Vampire
Book 208: Bidding for Her Curves
Book 208: Claiming His Student
Book 210: CEO's Dog Trainer Obsession
Book 211: Pool Girl
Book 212: Possessive Writer
Book 213: Maid for the Mafia Informant
Book 214: Thankful for Him
Book 215: Madrid with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 216: My Best Friend’s Dad
Book 217: Taming Her Beast
Book 218: All I Want For Christmas is You
Book 219: Falling for His Captive
Book 220: My Christmas Carol
Book 221: Preacher’s Daughter
Book 222: Her Hitman