Across The Hall (51 page)

Mrs. Walker wanted there to be a “touch of class” to show Kerri’s parents that they, too, were “cultured.” The reception was fol owed by a dance on

a farm in one of Reed’s uncle’s sheds, which his younger brothers complained about having to “spiffy up” for the newlyweds.

It was the best wedding I have ever been to, other than my own of course. I believe a good time was had by al . Even Kerri’s mother had fun --

after a few glasses of champagne.

The years chronicled in the album flew by as quickly as the pages turned. The book was fil ed with images of birthday parties, holidays, family

reunions, vacations and just everyday life, al had real y only been just a blink in time. They were frozen images of moments that would forever evoke

warm, loving memories.

As the images proceeded by I paused a little longer at some than others. The births of each of our children were certainly ones that caught

Anne’s attention. With each child al our little families grew right along with each other. The year that Kel y turned three we added Kai and Sloane’s

daughter MaryBeth and Kerri and Reed’s daughter Violet.

Two years later we al “drank the water” on a shared vacation and al ended up due within weeks of each other. Reed and Kerri were unfortunately

the first to greet their new addition. Little Lily was born at thirty two weeks. She was tiny but a fighter. She was stil the spunkiest one of the bunch.

I had our son, Bil y, nine days before Kai and Sloane’s son Mark. Both Kai and I were done after that. We had one of each and thought that was

enough. Kerri and Reed tried again and again and again. Kerri gave up when they had their own basketbal team. Each daughter bore the name of

a flower. Reed named them al saying each one was as beautiful as their mother and deserved to be named after a beautiful thing. In addition to

Violet and Lily there was Dahlia, Jasmine and Zarah. Nineteen years after Violet’s and ten years after Zarah’s birth Reed got his son. We were al

shocked. Poor little Robby was mothered not only by Kerri but his sisters as wel .

Robby was only a little older than Anne and she idolized him. He wasn’t always thril ed to be in that position as he ended up spending a lot of time

having to play with her when we were altogether. At least he had Reed and Kerri’s first grandchild, Patrick, a boy just four years younger than

Robby. Patrick and Robby were the best of friends. Whatever they got up to Anne wanted to join in.

We came to the end of the book with the pictures of baby Spencer’s birth. I needed to add some pages to fit the pictures from the past few

months in. I tended to get behind on that.

“That was a great book, Grammy.”

I hugged Anne tight but gazed into Quinn’s eyes as I did so. “Yes it was, baby.” Quinn’s dark depths spoke volumes of love and happiness back

at me. We were truly blessed with good things. His parents were stil living in Minneapolis. Our friends were nearby. Reed and Kerri stayed in

Minneapolis, too, but Sloane and Kai moved to Chicago, which real y wasn’t al that far. We were stil able to get together often.

I closed the book and asked, “Who’s ready for some cookies?”

Anne bounced on the couch and happily sang, “Me, me, me!”

Both Quinn and I chuckled at the little darling’s enthusiasm. I moved towards the bookcase to put the album away. I would have to take it out again

sometime soon and add the other pictures in. Maybe then I would sit longer and take the time to truly enjoy each memory. Anne and Quinn had

gotten off the couch and I figured they would beat me to the kitchen. Instead Anne cal ed out to me.

“You dropped one.” I held out my hand for the photograph that Anne picked up. Before she handed it to me she looked at it quizzical y. “Grammy,

why are you outside with your shirt off?”

Confused to see what she could be talking about I looked down to see the picture in her hand. It was the one of me from way back in high school

out at our abandoned farm. I shot a chiding look at Quinn as soon as I realized what it was. He just shrugged nonchalantly but there was nothing

innocent about the gleam in his eye or the sexy smirk he flashed back at me.

~ The End ~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NM Facile is the youngest of a large Midwestern family. She grew up in a smal town before going on to col ege at the University of South

Dakota. Her works are contemporary romances that can deal with controversial social topics. When not writing, she spends her time with her

family and friends.

Table of Contents

Across The Hal

ireadiwrite Publishing Edition

For my family, for only the love and support that a family provides.

Chapter 1 - Sylvia

Chapter 2 - Quinn

Chapter 3 - Sylvia

Chapter 4 - Quinn

Chapter 5 - Sylvia

Chapter 6 - Quinn

Chapter 7 - Sylvia

Chapter 8 - Quinn

Chapter 9 - Sylvia

Chapter 10 - Quinn

Chapter 11 - Sylvia

Chapter 12 - Quinn

Chapter 13 - Sylvia

Chapter 14 - Quinn

Chapter 15 - Sylvia

Chapter 16 - Quinn

Chapter 17 - Sylvia

Chapter 18 - Sylvia

Chapter 19 - Quinn

Chapter 20 - Sylvia

Chapter 21 - Quinn

Chapter 22 - Sylvia

Chapter 23 - Quinn

Chapter 24 - Sylvia

Chapter 25 - Quinn