Build a Love (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) (23 page)

He teared up, my father teared up!

“Harry, I never expected this, never thought my boy would be a father. I was…well I was disappointed when he told us he was interested in boys. I cried. But then, Mama and me, we talked. He was happy, why should we be upset? Then Bryan came along.”

At that point, he patted Bryan’s cheek.

“He’s a good man, they both are. We were happy because they were happy. Now, now something neither of us expected, they found you. I don’t know what to say, how to tell you how I feel. Maybe I just say I love you and to me you are my daughter.”

Harry burst into tears. She was sobbing on Papà chest. I felt a glow of pride and love for my father. I knew he loved me, I knew he loved Bryan. Now I knew he loved Harry as much as we did. Bryan put his arm around me and I rested my head on his shoulder as we stood and watched Harry and Papà.

The remainder of the day sped past.

Mama wouldn’t let Harry do anything, she kept her alongside her as she held court. A few times, I caught a look of pain flash across Harry’s face, but each time we said anything, she just refused to go home. We made her take some paracetamol and just watched her carefully. Finally, around ten she looked exhausted but still she refused to leave, regardless of what we said. So Papà spoke and insisted we take her home.

Amazingly, she listened to him. She just softly said, “Yes, Papà.”

My parents walked us out to the car, a lot of the family had already left but there were still dozens. We kissed and hugged. Mama and Papà gave Harry a special hug. We got her into the car and took her home.

She was asleep on her feet by the time we pulled up. Bryan carried her inside, I turned down the bed and we planted her in the middle. She gave us a half-hearted goodnight kiss, rolled over and went back to sleep. We sat there for a while just watching her and thinking how lucky we were, then we joined her in bed to sleep the night away.

Isabella and Dominic were born healthy and happy almost seven months later.

Marco passed out and I was the only one left standing. Harry was marvellous. I can’t put into words how I felt when I had my son and daughter in my arms.

Marco came round. They had to patch his head where he had knocked it on a chair but apart from that, he was fine. I gave him Isabella and we took photo after photo. They put the babies on Harry and we took even more photos.

Marco was beside himself. He couldn’t believe how cute they were. Both looked like they were going to have Harry’s red hair. Dominic was a big baby, although Isabella was no lightweight.

The waiting room was filled with family. Mama and Papà were so excited when we brought them in to be the first to hold the babies.

A day later we took Harry and the twins home. We had set up the bedroom near ours as a nursery. Marco’s parents insisted on buying the cot and furniture. Then a few other relatives turned up with more things. In the end, we didn’t have to buy anything.

A few weeks later, we gathered all our friends and relations at our house to welcome the new additions. Vince and Andy joked that we’d never have to buy anything for them, there were so many gifts.

Three months later, we were married.

Marco and I had talked about it early on and decided since I was the eldest by two years, at forty-five, Harry should marry me. As far as the three of us were concerned, we were all married. We had a celebrant perform the ceremony and the three of us stood and exchanged vows. It was only on paper that Harry and I were the only partners.

She took our joint names and became Mrs. Harriett
Campione
-Garrett. It was a mouthful but it was what she wanted.

We loved her so much that neither of us could deny her anything.

The ceremony was performed at a local park. It was spring and all the flowers were out.

Harry looked…well,
she was radiant!

Marco and I couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked when she walked toward us. We held hands as she walked between the chairs set up. Never would I have imagined this wonderful day.

Marco’s parents were both crying, holding the babies. I’m convinced that nothing will ever beat that day. It’s indelible in my mind.

I looked out at the sea of faces when we were eating. They were all laughing and joyous. There was no lack of people volunteering for babysitting duties, but Vince and Andy had claimed the right to take them both tonight.

We had decided to delay our honeymoon. Marco and Harry both wanted to stay home and I had no trouble being swayed. We could spend our days relaxing with the babies. When they were a little older, we would all go somewhere special.

Amazingly, Marco and I had become a family.

Something we’d never dared dream of. We’d started as just the two of us, deciding to build a love between us, but then we fell in love with Harry. And now, now from just two we had built a family of five.

Life just doesn’t get any better.

THE END

WWW.SUZYSHEARER.WIX.COM/SUZY

Suzy lives in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. She is single, a Buddhist, an author, an artist, a computer nerd, and a voracious reader. Suzy has a penchant for crazy-coloured hair—pinks, purples, even rainbowed…it changes every month—and for tattoos! Oh, and she is in her mid-sixties!

Her books always feature older heroes and heroines, ranging from mid-forties to sixties.

“Just because we are older doesn’t mean we aren’t intriguing, desirable, open to challenges, and willing to experiment.”

Suzy wants her readers to understand that sexy isn’t just for the under-thirties…

When not writing, she is usually painting—an accomplished watercolour artist. Her subjects range from portraits and animals to nudes and landscapes.

For all titles by Suzy Shearer, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/suzy-shearer

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com