Magic in Our Hearts (24 page)

“You two were made for each other.”

“Yes, we were, not that she doesn’t drive me crazy some times. She’s on a kick to take a family vacation to Australia after this ski season, and she won’t take no for an answer. She and the girls have it all mapped out.”

“What’s wrong with that?” 

“Two four year olds who want to see great white sharks, what do you think?” Taylor snorted as she negotiated the short distance from the airport to the ski resort and pulled into the parking lot. “We’ll have to walk from here. They’re over on the intermediate hill.”

“At four—I’ve got to see this!” Jeb followed Taylor’s slim form as she moved quickly across the packed snow. “Hold up! I’m not used to walking in this stuff.” Taylor turned and laughed at Jeb. “At least you dressed appropriately this time.”

“Boulder, Colorado, in the middle of winter—of course I’m going to dress for snow.” Jeb responded with indignation. The last time he had visited, Boulder had been hit with an unexpected snowstorm. Jeb had been wearing a business suit and loafers with a light overcoat that afforded little protection from the snow and cold. Brett and Taylor had teased him unmercifully before taking him to a local store to get appropriate winter clothes.

“There they are up at the top just getting ready for a run.” Taylor shielded her eyes from the bright sun as she watched her lover and her twin daughters begin their run down the mountain. They were a beautiful sight to watch in contrasting parkas and black ski pants.

“How do you know that’s them?”

“I’d know Brett anywhere. I also can tell by their pants and parkas.” Taylor smiled as she watched her partner and lover elegantly ski down the slope with their two daughters. She fell in love with Brett all over again as she watched her glide effortlessly down the hill.

“My God, they
are
wonderful skiers!”

“They are, and Brett is very patient with them.” Taylor’s eyes were on Brett’s athletic body as she expertly worked her way down the mountain. Her moves looked effortless, Brett’s love for skiing evident on her smiling face. Taylor’s heart beat faster as she watched her ski.

“God, I just love watching Brett ski.”

“She is something. But look at your daughters, and they’re so little!” Brett finally noticed the two spectators as she approached the bottom of the slope. She skied over and stopped in front of Taylor and Jeb, both daughters easily keeping up with her.

“Hey, Mom, did you see us?” Jane asked excitedly.

“I did. You both looked terrific.”

“Rose went off the jump even though Mom Brett said no.”

“Jane, it’s not nice to tattle,” Taylor admonished her daughter. Rose’s face showed a total lack of contrition as she waited for her mother to express her disappointment in her behavior. But Taylor didn’t say a word to her mutinous daughter.

“I just tried it once and Mom Brett already told me how dangerous it was.”

“Good, then I don’t have to say another word, do I?” Taylor almost laughed out loud as she saw the look of surprise on her daughter’s face. Rose was always pushing everyone’s patience to the limit.
No
didn’t stop Rose when she wanted to do something. She was an extremely trying child for both Brett and Taylor to parent, yet they loved her dearly.

Brett reached out and clasped Taylor’s hand in hers in a show of faith and support. “We were just finishing up here. Want us to meet you at home?”

“I thought we could all go get some lunch together. What do you think girls?”

“Yeah, with Uncle Jeb?”

“Yes.” Both girls loved Rex and Jeb to death. They began to unhook their skis.

“Okay, then let’s stow your gear in the car.” Brett began to remove her skis.

“Hey girls, how was Austria?” Jeb asked as both twins began to jabber at once.

They had obviously had a great time and competed at telling him about it. He couldn’t believe how beautiful the two young girls were. They looked just like their mothers.

“Brett, you looked beautiful skiing down the mountain. You took my breath away.” Taylor spoke softly, just for her partner of almost eight years.

“Just looking at you does that to me,” Brett remarked, her dark eyes full of passion for the woman she loved. “I love you.”

“It’s magic isn’t it? Every day feels like magic with you, the girls, our life.”

“Yes it does. It’s magic every morning I wake up with you and magic when we go to bed together at night. In fact, it’s a totally magical life day after day and year after year. And the magic will last a lifetime.” Taylor reached out and clasped Brett’s hand in hers as she looked over at their two daughters who were teasing Jeb. Both of their daughters had red hair just like their mother. Rose had green eyes and Jane the aquamarine eyes of Taylor’s.

They were beautiful girls, smart, fun, and healthy. Brett squeezed Taylor’s fingers as she followed her gaze to their children. Magic, that’s what it was—pure and simple magic.

THE END