Page 52 of Unbreakable

It's a big day today. It's Remi's birthday and this time everyone is out here at our home celebrating with us.

"Can I go for a ride, just down by the river?" Remi begs. Those horses and riding have become everything to her. We even signed her up for riding classes several months back right after things got back to normal. She's a natural born rider. Remi's riding instructor has encouraged her to practice jumping horses so she can enter next year's equestrian show sponsored by the local 4-H club. For her birthday all she wanted was a new saddle for her horse she calls Spirit, so that’s what we bought her. "Sure, just as long as it's okay with your momma, and we can see you from here," I tell her.

She wraps her arms around my waist hugging me. "I will. Thanks, Dad."

Yes, you heard her right. She calls me dad, and every time she does my heart melts. On the day her baby sister was born, while she had her turn holding her, Remi started to tear up. The words that followed choked me up so much I lost my shit in front of everyone who was in the room, and that was damn near our entire family. Remi asked if she could call me Dad. She said she wanted to have a daddy like her sister. Remi became mine the moment I found out about her, and there has never been any question in my heart I was forever going to be her father.

I'm standing outside on the back porch enjoying a beer with my men as I look in through the window of the kitchen. Grace has just placed our daughter into the arms of her awaiting grandma—my mom, as my pop sits beside them wearing a prideful smile; Pop-Pop to his granddaughters.

"Fuckin' fantastic feeling," Logan stands beside me and remarks as he watches through the window with me.

"Not a better fuckin' feelin' in the world than what I'm feelin' right now, son." I continue to watch my family. Grace turns, catching me watching and smiles brightly. The woman's loving look back at me is the center of my entire existence—my world—my wife—the mother of my children. She doesn't realize she holds so much of my happiness in the palm of her hands.

A higher power granted us a second chance at life. We both found each other – found love when we needed it the most. She would tell you I saved her, but that is far from the truth. Grace saved me. Everything that has ever happened in my life; every person that has touched my life prepared me for this moment in time.

My life is rich, but wealth does not define my worth. I am defined by the people in it who surround me. The beautiful red-haired woman I hold in my arms every night—my Little Bird. My two daughters whom I love. The men I call my brothers. My family.

I turn and face my boys and raise the beer in my hand. "To Family."

All of them lift their drinks in the air. "To Family."

THE END