Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(106)

“You’re a lucky girl, aren’t you? That sounds like it’s going to be an amazing birthday week for you!”

I nod in agreement. “I didn’t even ask for the trip to Disney World, but Harley loves Disney, and I love Disney, and my grandparents are coming too, and my aunt and uncle and my cousins.” I motion to them, realizing how lucky I am that I get to spend a whole week with all of my favorite people. “We’re going to swim and ride all the rides, and I think it’s going to be the best trip ever. And I get to miss school for a week, which is pretty cool too.”

He laughs. “It does sound pretty cool. We should get these papers signed so you can start celebrating, don’t you think?”

“That would be great. This is all I wanted for my birthday, so everything else is pretty much a bonus.”

Dad chuckles and pulls out a chair for me, and Harley squeezes my hand.

We all sit down, and Mr. Rolph pulls out the papers and explains everything. Uncle Jax and Uncle Declan take William and Ella out when they start to get fussy, which only takes about five minutes. Explaining everything takes longer than I thought it would, but eventually he slides the papers across the table and my dad signs them first, then Harley.

After that we have to wait for it to be given a stamp and a seal, and for copies. But finally, finally they hand us the copy of the adoption papers. “That’s it?” I ask. “It’s official?”

“It’s official,” Mr. Rolph says.

I turn to Harley whose eyes are heavy and watery. “You’re my mom now? For real this time?” I ask.

Two tears track down her cheeks, and she nods, holding her arms wide. “I’m your mom.”

I step into her embrace and wrap my arms around her, and Dad engulfs us in a hug with me in the middle.

My aunts are standing a few feet away, hugging each other, smiling and dabbing at their eyes with tissues. I smile back and absorb all the love in the room. It’s a gift to have been given not just one mom who lives in my heart, but a second one who’s down here with me.

I turn my head, breathing in her familiar shampoo. “I love you, Mom.” I smile at the way those words settle in my heart.

“I love you too.” She kisses me on the cheek, and I feel the warm wet of tears with it. Happy ones, though.

“I love you, both,” Dad says, squeezing us tight.

I send a thank-you up to my mom in heaven for sending Harley to me and Dad, and for giving me a mom to love and take care of me, and the family I always wanted.





Acknowledgments


Hubs and kidlet, you’re always my number ones. Thank you for being my biggest cheerleaders.

Deb, you’re my favorite friend. Thank you for being the pepper to my salt.

Kimberly, thank you for always helping me polish these stories so they shine brighter. You’re an incredible agent and I’m lucky to have you in my corner and on my team.

Eileen, you’re an amazing editor and I’m so lucky to have been able to give the Spark Sisters a home with you at SMP. To my team at SMP—Marissa, Sara, Lisa, and Christa—thank you for everything you’ve done to make the Spark Sisters so much fun.

Jenn and my SBPR team, thank you for being awesome, and for getting my stories into the hands of readers. You’re amazing and all deserve Wonder Woman awards.

Sarah and the Hustlers, I can’t do this without you. Thank you for being my team.

My ARC crew, my SS girls, and my Beaver Den, I adore you. Thank you for always celebrating with me and for being the most amazing readers.

Kat, Krystin, and Marnie, thank you for being such wonderful friends and amazing women.

To my bloggers, bookstagrammers, and booktokers, thank you for your love of romance and happily ever afters. I couldn’t do this without your support.