Chapter 19

Nineteen

Cory

The fluorescent lights buzzed softly as I stood in the middle of the grocery store, holding my phone in one hand and squinting at the text Elena had sent me. Brisket, salad ingredients, wild rice, mac and cheese, s’mores. Simple enough, but there was something oddly domestic about the whole thing that made me smile.

It wasn’t long ago that my idea of dinner involved takeout containers and silent meals eaten at a desk. Now, this Sunday morning, I was picking out brisket for a family cookout and worrying about which brand of marshmallows Jake would like best.

I grabbed the bag of marshmallows and scanned the shelves for chocolate bars. Jake’s enthusiasm for the fire pit had been infectious, and I found myself looking forward to sitting around it, sharing s’mores and stories under the stars.

Then I spotted it—the perfect football, sitting in a bin near the aisle endcap. It wasn’t on the list, but I couldn’t resist. Jake had mentioned wanting to practice more, and I figured this would be a good excuse to spend some extra time with him. I tossed it into the cart and smirked to myself. “Surprise,” I muttered under my breath.

The cool autumn air greeted me as I stepped out of the store, bags in hand. Loading the groceries into the back of my SUV, I strategically tucked the football behind the grocery bags, out of sight. Jake deserved a little excitement today, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face.

Closing the trunk, I patted my back pocket, feeling the distinct outline of my wallet. Inside was the check—ten million dollars made out to Elena. I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since Steven handed it over. How would she react? Would it feel like a blessing or a burden? I let out a slow breath, shaking my head. There wasn’t a perfect way to handle it, so I’d just have to trust my gut.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I glanced at the grocery list one more time to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Satisfied, I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward Elena’s house.

As I drove, a sense of contentment washed over me. It was subtle, but it was there—a kind of peace I hadn’t felt in years. The road stretched out ahead, the promise of a warm afternoon with Elena and Jake pulling me forward. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew this was worth it.

When I turned onto Elena’s street, I caught myself smiling again. Family. It was a word I hadn’t let myself consider, but now…

It feels like that glum cloud that follows me around is melting away.

The SUV barely came to a stop in Elena’s driveway before Jake burst out the front door. His grin stretched from ear to ear as he waved wildly. Elena followed at a more relaxed pace, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her warm smile making me forget the nerves I’d felt about the check in my pocket.

“Need help with the groceries?” Elena called, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“I’ve got it covered,” I replied, stepping out of the car and popping open the trunk.

Jake beat her to me, darting past to inspect the bags. “What’d you get?” he asked, his eyes lighting up as he rifled through. Then he froze, pulling out the football from behind the marshmallows and chocolate. “Whoa! Is this for me?”

I chuckled, ruffling his hair. “Thought you might like it. Figured we could toss it around before dinner.”

“Awesome!” he yelled, clutching the ball like it was a trophy. Without another word, he bolted for the yard, calling over his shoulder, “Come on, Dad! Let’s play!”

Elena laughed, shaking her head. “Looks like I’ve lost you to the game.”

“Not for too long,” I promised, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I’ll help with dinner after.”

She smirked. “I’ll hold you to it.”

Jake was all energy, sprinting across the lawn and calling out plays as if he were in the middle of a championship game. I showed him how to grip the ball properly, how to aim his throw, and how to catch without cradling it against his chest. He was a quick learner, and by the time Elena came out to rake leaves, Jake was already throwing spirals that made him beam with pride.

“You’re a natural,” I told him, tossing the ball back.

“I’ve got a good coach!” he yelled, catching it with ease.

Elena joined us, dragging a rake behind her. “You two having fun?”

Jake nodded vigorously. “Mom, did you see that throw? Dad says I’ve got a good arm.”

She smiled, leaning on the rake. “I did. And you do. Just like baseball.”

For the next hour, we worked together, raking leaves into piles that Jake promptly destroyed with running leaps. Elena scolded him half-heartedly, laughing as she joined in the chaos. The yard was filled with laughter, the kind that made everything else fade into the background.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, we finally retreated inside to start dinner. Jake helped with setting the table, his excitement bubbling over as he recounted his best throws. Elena moved effortlessly in the kitchen, directing me with a list of tasks while Jake peeked into every pot to see what was cooking.

At one point, Elena brushed past me, her hand briefly resting on my arm. The simple touch sent a jolt through me, reminding me just how much I wanted this—not just the fun or the laughter but the quiet moments, too—the ones that turned a house into a home.

“Brisket’s ready,” Elena announced, pulling it from the oven with a triumphant smile. Jake cheered, grabbing his plate and piling it high as we all settled at the table.

Over dinner, I felt a strange calm settle over me. This—sitting with them, laughing, sharing a meal—was exactly what I hadn’t known I was missing. For the first time in years, everything felt right.

As Jake recounted every detail of his football throws, his voice full of excitement, Elena leaned back in her chair, her eyes flicking between him and me. Once Jake was occupied with another helping of brisket, she turned to me, her voice low enough to keep the conversation just between us.

“So,” she began, “have you thought more about where you’ll set up the Horizon Foundation?”

Her question caught me off guard, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. Elena had a way of zoning in on what mattered.

I glanced at Jake, who was too busy dunking a roll in gravy to notice. “I’ve been thinking about using my dad’s hardware store in Beaver Creek,” I admitted. “It’s an idea I’m tossing around. It’s a solid location, and the town could use the boost. But I haven’t brought it up to my dad yet. I need to gauge his reaction first.”

Elena's eyes narrowed slightly as she picked at her meal, lost in thought. "Beaver Creek, huh? That's not too far from here," she mused.

I caught the hint in her words and nodded knowingly. "It's manageable. Distance won't keep me away from Cedar Cove. You and Jake are my anchors."

Her lips curved into a gentle smile. "I hope we'll still have our share of moments together. Jake has already formed a bond, and... well, so have we."

Reaching out, I gently clasped her hand with mine. "Don't fret, Elena. You and Jake come first. No matter where my work takes me, you two will always be my priority."

After dinner, Jake jumped up from his seat, his face glowing with excitement. “Can we do s’mores now? Please?” he begged, barely waiting for us to answer before darting toward the back door.

Elena laughed softly, gathering the plates. “Guess we’re doing s’mores,” she said, looking at me with a sparkle in her eye.

I stood, grabbing the bag of marshmallows and chocolate from the counter. “Lead the way, kiddo!” I called, following Jake outside.

The firepit sat in the middle of their yard, surrounded by a ring of chairs. Jake was already there, carefully stacking firewood like he was building a masterpiece. “Can you light it, Dad?” he asked, looking up at me with hopeful eyes.

I froze briefly, the word hitting me square in the chest. Dad. It wasn’t the first time he’d called me that today, but somehow it felt just as powerful as the first time several weeks ago. Elena caught my eye, her smile warm and reassuring.

“Of course, buddy,” I managed, crouching down to get the fire going. As the flames flickered to life, Jake cheered, bouncing on his heels.

Once the fire was roaring, we settled into our chairs. Jake handed out the sticks, instructing me on how to roast a marshmallow properly as if he were the expert and I were the rookie. I played along, making a show of turning my marshmallow too slowly and letting it catch fire.

“Dad!” he yelled, laughing so hard he nearly dropped his own stick. “You’re burning it! You have to turn it faster.”

“Oh, is that how it’s done?” I teased, blowing out the charred marshmallow and holding it up for him to inspect. “What do you think? Too crispy?”

He shook his head, grinning from ear to ear. “Way too crispy. Try again!”

Elena sat back, watching us with a contented smile as she worked on her own perfectly toasted marshmallow. The sight of her in the firelight—her hair glowing, her eyes full of quiet happiness—was enough to make my chest ache. This was what I wanted. Not the mansion, not the foundation, not even the cabin. This.

Jake leaned over, handing me his perfectly toasted marshmallow sandwiched between a piece of chocolate and two graham crackers. “Here, try mine. It’s the best.”

I took a bite, nodding in approval. “You’re right. Best s’more I’ve ever had.”

He beamed, leaning back in his chair, and everything felt… whole. The fire crackled, the stars sparkled above, and the three of us sat together, savoring the sweetness of the chocolate and marshmallows and the assurance of something far deeper.

As the fire died down, Jake’s eyelids grew heavier. He leaned against me, his head resting on my arm. “Thanks, you guys,” he mumbled sleepily. “This was the best day ever.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, glancing at Elena, who looked just as moved as I felt. “Anytime,” I whispered, wrapping an arm around him as the night wrapped around us all.

After Jake finally crashed for the night, I carried him to his bed. His head lolled against my shoulder, and his arms hung limp, still sticky from marshmallows and chocolate. I laid him down gently, pulling the blanket to his chin while he mumbled about football. For a little while, I just stood there, watching him breathe, the innocence of his sleep tugging at something deep inside me.

Elena waited in the hallway with her arms crossed loosely as she leaned against the doorframe. When I stepped out, she gave me a soft smile, her eyes glistening. “He really adores you, you know.”

I nodded, my chest tightening. “I adore him too.”

We walked together back to the porch, the air cool and still. The firepit outside had burned down to glowing embers, casting a faint orange hue across the yard. We settled onto the swing, her head leaning lightly against my shoulder. For a while, the only sound was the rhythmic creak of the swing, lulling us into a comfortable silence.

“I’ve been thinking about something,” Elena said, breaking the quiet.

I glanced at her. “What’s on your mind?”

She hesitated, tucking her legs beneath her. “We haven’t talked about kids… and I realized I hadn’t really thought about it in a long time. Honestly, I haven’t had a reason to. Jake’s been my world. But now, with you back in our lives, it’s… different.”

My heart thudded. “Different, how?”

She sighed, staring out into the darkness. “I guess I’m saying I’m open to the idea, but I think we need time to figure out who we are now and what this looks like. For Jake, for us.”

I nodded, grateful for her honesty. “I haven’t thought much about kids either. But being around Jake has made me wonder. Still, I agree—we have enough on our plates. Let’s take it one step at a time.”

She smiled, her hand slipping into mine. “That’s why I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. To take protective measures. I want to be proactive about this… about us.”

My thumb brushed over her knuckles. “Thank you for that, Elena. It means a lot.”

The conversation lingered in the air as I reached into my pocket and pulled out the envelope Steven had given me. “Speaking of what’s on our plates, there’s something else I need to show you.”

She tilted her head, her brow furrowing in curiosity as I pulled the envelope out of my pocket. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it and pulled out Grandpa’s note. Elena’s eyes darted across the words, widening with every sentence.

Before she finished, I opened my wallet and handed her the check Steven Brown had arranged for me.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “This… this is from your grandfather?”

I nodded, watching her carefully. “Apparently, he knew—or at least suspected—that Jake was mine. He wanted to help, even if he didn’t know how to approach you. This check, this letter… it’s his way of making amends for me and my family, although I realize money doesn’t take the place of me being there for you and Jake years ago.”

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at me, clutching the paper. “Cory, this is… overwhelming.”

I reached out, cupping her cheek. “I know. And if you don’t want to accept it, we’ll figure something else out. We can set up a trust for Jake, donate it—whatever feels right.”

She sniffled, brushing away a tear. “I don’t even know what to say. It’s… so much.”

I pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple. “You don’t have to decide anything now. We’ll figure it out together.”

She leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder. “Thank you, Cory. For being here. For everything. I can’t believe your grandfather did this.”

“Obviously, Elena, he cared about you more than you… or I realized.”

We sat in the quiet, the swing swaying gently beneath us. The night felt heavier now, but in a way that was grounding, anchoring us to the decisions and possibilities ahead. We weren’t rushing, and we weren’t forcing answers, but it felt like our future was coming into focus.