4 Ten More Years Later

EVA

I sit on the edge of Roxy’s bed, stroking her long, curly hair as she sniffles into her pillow. My heart aches for her as I try to figure out the right words to make everything better. She’s curled up under her favorite blanket, the one with the stars on it, the one she’s had since she was little. Now she’s a teenager, but in this moment, she seems so much younger, so fragile.

“Mom, he’s so mean,” Roxy says, her voice muffled by the pillow. “I don’t even know what I did to make him hate me.”

I bite back a smile, knowing exactly what’s going on here. Cash is Roman and Greer’s oldest, and he’s been picking on Roxy relentlessly for the past few months. It’s nothing too serious, just the typical teasing and playful jabs that boys his age tend to do. But Roxy, being the sensitive soul she is, takes it to heart.

“Honey,” I say softly, running my fingers through her hair. “I don’t think Cash hates you.”

“Then why is he always making fun of me?” she asks, her voice small and hurt. She turns her head slightly, her big blue eyes peeking out from behind the pillow. They’re the same eyes Benedict has, and every time she looks at me like this, I feel that familiar tug in my chest.

I sigh, shifting on the bed so I’m sitting closer to her. “You know, sometimes when boys like a girl, they don’t always know how to show it. So they end up picking on them instead.”

Roxy’s brows furrow, and she sits up a little, wiping her eyes. “What? That doesn’t make any sense, Mom.”

I chuckle lightly. “I know it doesn’t, but trust me, I’ve been there. Boys can be a little clueless when it comes to their feelings, especially at Cash’s age. He probably doesn’t know how to handle liking you, so he teases you instead.”

Roxy frowns, clearly unconvinced. “You think Cash likes me?”

“I think it’s possible,” I say with a gentle smile. “Boys aren’t always the best at showing how they feel, especially when they’re still figuring it out themselves.”

She sniffs again, her eyes thoughtful now instead of hurt. “So… what do I do?”

“Well,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, “you can always talk to him about it. But, if I know boys—and I do—sometimes it’s better to just ignore the teasing and let them figure it out on their own. Eventually, he’ll realize that being nice is a much better way to get your attention.”

Roxy gives me a small, wobbly smile. “I hope so. I don’t like it when he’s mean.”

“I know, sweetie. But I promise, it’s not because he hates you. He’s just being a silly boy.”

She nods, and I lean over to kiss her forehead, feeling a bit of the tension ease out of her. “Thanks, Mom,” she says softly. “I feel a little better now.”

“Anytime, sweetheart,” I whisper, giving her a tight hug before standing up. “You’re amazing just the way you are. Don’t let anyone—especially a boy—make you feel like you’re not.”

She smiles, a genuine one this time, and I feel like I’ve done my job. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Roxy.”

I leave her room, closing the door quietly behind me, and head downstairs, feeling a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. Parenting teenagers is no joke, and this whole “boys teasing girls” thing is bringing back memories I’d rather leave buried.

As I enter the kitchen, I find Benedict standing by the counter, pouring a glass of wine. He looks up as I walk in, his face softening when he sees me. “How’s Roxy doing?”

“She’s okay,” I say with a sigh, leaning against the counter. “Cash has been picking on her, and she’s convinced he hates her.”

Benedict raises an eyebrow and hands me the glass of wine. “Sounds familiar. I seem to remember a certain priest teasing a certain single mother before he finally realized how much he liked her.”

I laugh, taking the glass and leaning into him. “You did a little more than tease, if I remember correctly.”

He chuckles, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Yeah, well, I had to get your attention somehow.”

I smile, resting my head against his chest as we stand there, letting the comfortable silence settle around us. The warmth of his presence, the familiarity of our home, it all feels so perfect.

“Can you believe we’re here?” I ask quietly. “All these years, all these kids… and we’ve made it.”

Benedict sighs softly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Sometimes I can’t. But then I look at you, at our family, and I know I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

I tilt my head up to meet his eyes, feeling that same rush of love that I’ve felt since the day we met. “I feel the same way,” I say softly, my heart full to bursting. “I couldn’t have imagined a better life than this.”

He smiles, his eyes shining with warmth. “We’ve been through a lot, but we’ve come out stronger on the other side. And now, we’ve got a house full of kids and a life I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

I lean up and kiss him gently, the taste of wine still on my lips. “Here’s to all the teasing, all the ups and downs, and to everything in between.”

Benedict grins, raising his glass. “To our crazy, beautiful life.”

As we clink our glasses together, I can feel the warmth radiate throughout my body. And in this moment, I know we’ve built something truly special—a life filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Our own happily ever after.