Finding Hayes (Magnolia Falls #5)

by Laura Pavlov

I grabbed my keys and glanced over one last time to see my wife, who was now holding Roddy in her arms and cuddling him. My family. My whole world.

I drove into her over and over, needing to feel every inch of her. Because Savannah Woodson had all of me. She was mine, and I was hers. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There was nothing I wouldn’t do to save my father’s life. At the end of the day, what else was there? The people you loved were all that mattered.

We were both struggling being apart, and I knew I was here for at least another week. He wasn’t sleeping well. And neither was I. It was amazing that we’d lived for a decade apart, and now we couldn’t handle being apart for a week or two. I hated how much I needed him now.

Then what is this about?” I asked, leaning forward, unable to hide the concern from my voice. “This is about you.” He turned his computer screen toward me. “You’re pregnant.” You’re pregnant? “Pregnant? That’s impossible.

Your HCG levels are unusually high.” “What does that mean?” “I can’t say for certain, but it typically means that there’s a chance you’re having twins.” “Twins?” I could barely get the word out. More than one baby. Two babies. There was a chance I was pregnant with two babies. By a man who didn’t want children.

oh oh

Dr. Dorsey came around the desk and bent down to look at me. “The good news is that your blood work was perfect otherwise.” Somehow that doesn’t feel like a relief. Because I may have just lost the love of my life. And I didn’t know how to do life without him anymore.

“She knows that kids aren’t in my future. It kills me, though, because I know she wants a family, and all I can offer her is me and Roddy.” I chuckled, but the truth of it was always with me. When I closed my eyes, I could see us living here at the farmhouse. And every time I allowed myself a moment to think of the future, I would see a bunch of kids running around on the property. There were animals, laughter, and love. Things I’d never had. Things my sister never had.

“Tell Uncle Hayes here who I say is the best dad I know, next to Gramps.” Cutler smiled up at me. “Uncle Hayes is the best dad you know. When things are bad, you always think of him, and you know it’s going to be okay.”

You don’t fuck up. Ever. You’re the most reliable guy I know. You may hate most of the world, but when you love, you love harder than anyone. You’re fiercely protective of the people you care about, and it’s impossible to miss.”

“The reason I tell Cutler that you’re the best dad I know is because you taught me at a young age what it meant to be a parent. From the minute I found out that I was going to be a father, and the moment I realized I’d be doing it alone, I thought of you. Of the way that you sacrificed and did whatever you needed to do to protect Saylor. You gave up a football scholarship, a chance to go away to college and be a selfish asshole. You got an apartment at eighteen years old so you could take custody of your younger sister. You gave her the life that you wanted her to have. You worked your ass off to make sure she went to college and had all the experiences you thought she deserved.”

you love to say you’d never have children because you wouldn’t be cut out for fatherhood. But the truth is, you’ve already been a father. And a damn good one. Saylor always says that you were more of a parent to her than a brother. She attributes her success to the fact that you sacrificed so much to give her the future you thought she deserved. Your sister is kicking ass because she had a parent who supported her. And I’ve got news for you, asshole. That was not your mom or dad. That was all you. So, I think it’s about time you owned the fact that you’re already a father. And a damn good one.”

You’re a good man, Hayes Woodson. Just accept it and stop fighting it. That’s why Savvy won’t push you into anything you don’t want.” “Why is that, ole wise one?” “Because she’s just like you. She’s willing to sacrifice her own dreams for the man she loves. We all see it.” He shrugged. “It’s not my place to tell you what to do, brother. She wants to be with you, and you want to be with her. But missing out on something magical because you’re afraid—that’s not who you are.

“Let it go, Hayes. The past. The anger. The fear that you’re going to be left or fail or whatever the hell it is that you’re wrestling with. You’re better than that. You aren’t your father. You aren’t your mother. You’re a really good guy. A man I trust my son with implicitly.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “We all see it. Cutler sees it. Your wife fucking sees it. The only one who doesn’t see it is you. So open your fucking eyes and let yourself be happy. You’ve earned it.”

“Hey, Uncle Hayes, did you hear that I want to start calling my Sunny mama?” I couldn’t help but smile, because this kid was so honest and open; it always made my chest squeeze. “I think she’d love that. Did you tell her yet?” “Nope. I’m going to tell her on Mother’s Day. It’s going to be the bestest surprise ever.” He jumped up and then ran toward a pile of hay in the far-right corner and dove into it.

love this❤️

Savannah was so busy doing everything for everyone, and she wasn’t used to anyone doing the same for her. I was here to show her that I was that man.

“Investing in your future is a good thing. It means you see one. And this would be an awfully big house for just two people. But you already know that, don’t you?” I flipped him the bird, turning to look out the window at the big open space. A perfect place to raise a family. And for the first time in my life, I actually saw it. Wanted it.

I had no intention of accepting this offer. Because we weren’t selling this home. We were going to start our lives here. I didn’t have a doubt in my mind. Everything was suddenly crystal clear.

My eyes watered because the thought of two little humans growing in my belly was overwhelming in the best way—and in the worst way. My emotions were all over the place. I was thrilled about being a mother. But I was terrified that it would cost me the man that I loved. I hadn’t wanted to talk to him about it until I knew for sure. Until I knew this wasn’t a mistake. I was pregnant. With twins. I was going to be a mother, and Hayes was going to be a father.

While she wanted time, I was making plans. Plans for our future. Plans I intended to keep.

“Is this too much for you? The marriage? The life we’re building? Me? Is it too much?” “You think it’s too much for me?” I shook my head in disbelief. “I don’t fucking know. Everything was good when you left, or at least I thought it was. And then you came here, and everything seemed fine, and then you went silent on me. Stopped calling. Your texts are short. You’re treating me like a fucking acquaintance. So, if this is done, you’re going to need to tell me right here. Right now. And then you’re going to have to convince me that there’s a reason we don’t belong together, because I don’t see it. I love you so fucking much, and it’s killing me that you’re pulling away.”

“I’m pregnant.” “You’re pregnant?” he asked, and there was no fear in those words. He sounded… relieved. Happy.

“Baby, you would never lose me. And I’m sorry if I made you think that I would ever walk away from you or our child.” “But that doesn’t change the fact that you don’t want children, Hayes. And now I’m pregnant,” I said. “So, where does that leave us?” “It leaves us right fucking here. Exactly where we were when you left.” He tugged me close, one hand moving to the side of my face. “Sav, I never thought I’d want to be married, and now I can’t imagine a life where you aren’t my wife. People change. You changed me. You made me want things I never thought possible. You carrying my baby doesn’t make me feel anything other than happy. Excited about the future—with you. Growing our family together.”

“I’ve actually been having some thoughts of my own. Thinking about a future with you that I hadn’t imagined possible. And it doesn’t fucking scare me, baby. The only thing that scares me is a future that doesn’t have you in it.”

“I’m not always going to say the right thing or do the right thing, but I promise you, I’ll always be there for you. For our children. And I may not have known that I wanted kids the way that you did, but now that we’re having two, it feels right. We never do anything by the book anyway. We got married on false pretenses, and then we fell in love. We agreed we wouldn’t have a family, and now we’re having two babies. And guess what?” he said, using the pads of his thumbs to swipe the falling tears from my face. “What?” The word sounded wobbly. “We’re going to be amazing parents. Because we live in a home filled with love. And that’s all you need.”

I’ve got this, Sav. I’m going to do my best to be a good father to our children, and they’re already winning because they’ll have the best mom anyone could ask for.” “This is all I needed to hear,” I said over the sobs escaping my throat. “I just wanted you to stay. To be here with us.” “I’m not going anywhere, baby.” He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. “I love you, and I love our babies that are growing in your belly. I love the life we’re building together. It’s a life I never dreamed of, and that’s all because of you.”

“Hayes, you don’t have to treat me like I’m made of porcelain. I’m fine.” I hovered above her and leaned down, my nose rubbing against hers. “Have you ever loved someone so much that you just want to make sure nothing ever hurts them?” She sucked in a breath, and her gaze softened. “Yes.” “When I look at you, I feel so much, and I’m not used to that. So I just want to protect you and love you, and if I could put you in a box and keep you safe there, I would do it. And if that makes me an asshole or a caveman, so be it.”

We’re living the lives we couldn’t even dream of when we were teenagers. King Good women. Good jobs. Good friends. I’d call that a damn good life. Are you drunk? King Nope. Just happy. Yeah, brother. I think we all are. Ain’t that the fucking truth.

Girl talk was my favorite. I loved the bond I shared with these women, and there was nothing that we couldn’t talk about. I was grateful for the life I was building in Magnolia Falls.

even after everything, Sav, you’re still my best friend. And there would never be a time that I wouldn’t be happy to see you. Because my world is such a better place when you’re in it.” I sniffed a few times but kept my eyes trained on the letter. “So, I’m going to stop writing now, because it just feels like it’s time. But just know that if you come back today or in five years or even in ten years, I’ll be waiting for you. And that’s the truth. I hope you find your way back to me,

I closed my eyes and said a silent thank-you to Abe. Because he’d helped me find my way home. He’d helped me find my happily ever after.

We’d all met when we were just kids, but seeing these guys as husbands and fathers—it was a good thing. We’d beaten the odds.

I sat with the guys around the fire and glanced over at my wife. She was in her second trimester now, and her baby bump was cute as hell. She was growing every day, as were our children. We were having two little girls. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I’d be a father to two little princesses. But here we were. Filling our nursery with everything pink and frilly. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t loving every damn second. My life had completely surpassed any expectation I’d ever had, and it was all because this woman had come back to town and turned my world upside down. In the best way.

The twin jokes were never-ending. The dude who swore he’d never have kids got a two-for-one special. Get your shotgun ready. You’ve got two little princesses to protect. Two teenage girls at the same time is your punishment for being a broody asshole all these years. I didn’t mind it. I found it funny. It was a reminder that we didn’t always know what the future held. And that’s what life was all about. It was a journey, and I was grateful for the one I was on.

“Uncle Hayes, do you think the twins will like chocolate milk like I do?” Cutler asked, as he stood next to my chair where Savannah sat on my lap. “I think they’ll look up to you to tell them what’s good and what’s bad.” I ran my hand over the top of his hair. The kid who had truly taught all of us how to be a father. How to love fiercely. How to show up for the people you cared about. This kid is all of ours.

“These kids are going to be lucky to have you to look up to,” Kingston said, as he kissed Saylor’s cheek where she sat on his lap. “I’m the lucky one. I’ve got my pops and my mama. I’ve got the best uncles, and they found the best girls, and now our family just keeps getting bigger.” He ran off when Emerson called for him from the house. “For fuck’s sake,” River said, as he swiped at his eye. “Is it allergy season again?”

the best family Cutler could ask for🥹

Laughter erupted around us, and I just sat back with my arms wrapped around my girl, my daughters both growing in her belly, surrounded by my family.

you’re stuck with me for life.” Her head fell back in laughter as I cradled her against my chest and carried her up the steps to the front door. “I’m going to hold you to it.” I pushed the door open. And I meant it. I’d never believed in happily ever after until I started living it. It had been the girl next door that had my heart all along. And I was never letting go.