After the Storm (KGI #8)(127)

He glanced down at his wife. His wife. He’d never get tired of those two words. My wife. It still gutted him to remember how close he’d come to losing her. It wasn’t something he could even dwell on, because it still had the power to bring him to his knees.

He squeezed her back and savored the joy on her face. Her eyes were suspiciously wet, gleaming with tears. Happy tears. If she never shed one out of sadness again it would be too soon for him.

“He looks so grown up,” Eve whispered, emotion knotting her voice.

He leaned down so he could hear her above the roar.

Travis disentangled himself from the pile of players and walked further down the sideline. Then he turned, searching the stands. The entire Kelly family stood, cheering and waving madly. Travis’s face split into a broad grin and he waved back just as enthusiastically. He’d been awestruck that every single Kelly was attending his game. Their acceptance in turns bewildered and overwhelmed him. But he soaked up every bit of it. He and Cammie both.

“I want to wave at Trav!” Cammie protested.

Donovan reached down and hauled her up to his shoulders, and she nearly shook herself off her perch waving at her brother.

All of them were here. Every single Kelly was present and accounted for.

Rachel, Ethan and the twins, though both boys, wiggling bundles of pure boy excitement, were firmly held. Charlotte had wedged herself between Cammie and Eve, while Donovan sat on Cammie’s other side.

Garrett and Sarah were present, as were Sam and Sophie. The women sported tiny pregnancy bumps, a fact that de-lighted both their husbands to no end. Nathan and Shea were smiling and enjoying the evening. Swanny and Joe were also there, as was Sean. The only one not there was Rusty. She’d hated missing Travis’s first home football game, but the drive back from Knoxville was an undertaking, and she had early Monday morning classes to attend.

Even Skylar and Edge were present, all wanting to show their support for Donovan’s family.

Life was good.

As they stood for the national anthem and raising of the flag, Donovan’s hand found Eve’s and he squeezed, his heart about to burst from his chest. When a moment of silence was asked for, Donovan whispered a prayer of thanks that his family was safe. Back where they belonged. It was all he’d ever ask for. This. Being surrounded by them. Their love.

When they retook their seats, Eve turned and smiled at Donovan, joy lighting her eyes. So much had happened in the last months. Eve’s uncertain, winding road back home. The worry that he’d never fully have her back, heart and mind. But he shouldn’t have worried. His wife was a resilient, kick-ass, never-give-up woman. Just like all his sisters-in-law. She fit in as naturally as all his sisters-in-law had.

“Look at my grandchild!” Marlene said, pride evident in her voice as Travis took his place on the field.

Eve’s smile broadened, delight crossing her face at Marlene’s words.

Things hadn’t been easy. They’d had a lot to overcome. All of them. Travis had dealt—was still dealing—with guilt over killing his father, even though the bastard deserved it and far worse. Eve had her own issues to deal with. And Cammie’s nightmares of her father still plagued her sleep, made worse by the fact that Travis and Eve were obviously so troubled by their own separate hells.

The little girl had soaked up all the turmoil and made it her own.

But through it all, one thing had remained constant. Donovan didn’t allow a single day to pass where he didn’t tell his wife how much he loved her. He never let a day go by where he didn’t assure Travis and Cammie that he loved them and very much wanted them to be a permanent part of his and Eve’s family.

Even now he and Eve were pursuing legal adoption of them both. He wanted his children to bear his name—their name. The Kelly name and all the love and support that name entailed. He couldn’t wait for the court date. They were going to have one hell of a backyard barbecue the minute those kids were legally his. And every single Kelly would be there to celebrate the event.

Travis and Cammie already called him “Dad,” a fact that made him absurdly happy. And while Cammie called Eve “Mom” half the time, Travis was too used to calling Eve “Evie.” And it didn’t matter to Eve. She was just glad to have her family safe. Whole.

Eve’s sleep was fractured by nightmares from time to time, though they’d gotten better in the last weeks. Donovan made sure that she slept in his arms and that he was always there to gently wake her from the agony of those dreams. He made love to her, whispering his love and that he would always be there.

He’d taken much needed time away from KGI when Eve returned. He hadn’t wanted to leave her, even for a night. Nathan and Joe’s team had taken more of the load and he—and his brothers—were impressed by their efforts.

Even Rio and Steele were impressed, though they didn’t always like taking a backseat to the new team. But KGI was a well-oiled machine. With three teams now actively taking a roll, their organization had expanded to take on more missions—righteous missions. And Donovan’s sisters-in-law had begun taking part in the administration, not that he or his brothers would ever allow them to take a dangerous role. But they helped out, devoting many hours to helping other women. He was so damn proud of them all, and especially Eve for wanting to help others in need. Just as she’d once been in need. As had all his sisters-in-law.