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“Absolutely,” Jacqueline replied. “Prescott and I have a running competition. Winner gets sex of their choice.”
Addison laughed. “No losers there!”
Jacqueline pulled Naomi’s pie from the refrigerator, uncovered it, and set it on the counter.
“Definitely no losers, but Prescott is so competitive, he’s become a scratch golfer. I’m convinced if he wasn’t running Armstrong, and if he wasn’t in BLACK OPS, he’d try to qualify for the PGA Tour.”
“We need him too much in BLACK OPS,” Addison whispered, then she eyed Jacqueline’s bracelet. “You’re wearing Janey’s pendant.”
“I bought a charm bracelet so I’ll always have her with me.”
Addison put her arm around her. “I love what you’re doing to keep her memory alive. When are you going to Tech?”
“Next week,” Jacqueline replied.
“You’ll do great.” Then, Addison glanced over her shoulder. “Should we wait for Rebel and Brit?”
“They’ll find us.”
As they walked downstairs, Jacqueline glanced at the pendant dangling from the bracelet, the one she gave Janey all those years ago.
Love you, Janey. Miss you so much.
* * *
Prescott
Prescott had been looking forwardto the holiday all month. He’d always loved Thanksgiving, always loved that everything came to a halt so family could come together and be grateful.
He hated that Sally was gone, and he hated that he couldn’t change that, but he would do everything he could to ensure her son had every opportunity in life.
For Prescott, family was everything, and he wanted to instill his loyalty and commitment into his child. He wanted Ethan to feel like he belonged, so he’d done what he could to show Ethan how much he meant to him… how much he would always mean.
After golfing, they returned to the family room. Conversations resumed, while a few turned their attention to the football game on TV.
Before everyone filled up on pie, Prescott wanted to share his big news. “Family, can I get your attention?”
They grew silent, his dad muted the television. Prescott pushed off the sofa and stood in front of the gas fireplace, the heat warming his legs.
“Ethan, do you remember we talked about adoption?”
Ethan was sitting on the floor, next to Loki. “Uh-huh, it’s when you become my daddy.”
Prescott grinned. “Guess who’s been adopted?”
Ethan popped up. “Me?”
“That’s right! You’re officially my son, Ethan Armstrong. What do you think about that?”
Ethan started jumping up and down, which triggered Loki jumping up and barking. The family started clapping and cheering. Ethan ran over to Prescott, and he lifted him into his arms. Ethan had grown so much in the past six months. He’d gone from a toddler to a little boy, and Prescott couldn’t imagine his life without this amazing person.
“That was quick,” Hawk said.
“Kinship adoptions can move fast,” Prescott replied.
“You’re my daddy?” Ethan asked.
“I’m your dad.” He hugged Ethan.
