by t. h. snyder
“Come here, Heather, Aunti Charlie has a surprise for you.”
She giggles in my arms and begins to clap her chubby little hands.
“Char, don’t give her anything yet, wait for everyone else to get here,” Chloe says, walking down the stairs.
I shake my head and roll my eyes at my sister.
“Don’t worry, Heather; we don’t have to listen to Mama. It’s your special day and we can do whatever we want.”
Derrick leans in to kiss me on the check and then tickles Heather. She squirms in my arms and I bring her into the living room.
“Okay, sweetie, which one should we open first?” I ask, setting her down on the carpet.
She crawls over to the biggest gift on the stack and stands up alongside of it.
Derrick laughs and I look toward him and my sister. Chloe has her hands on her hips and shakes her head at me.
“Just you wait, Char, payback can be a bitch.”
“Chloe, don’t say that. You don’t want Heather yelling out the B word when Mom and Dad get here.”
The front door opens and I hear Riley’s voice.
“We’re here,” he calls from the hallway.
“We’re in the living room, babe,” I reply.
Manny comes plowing through the house and sits next to Heather. He starts to lick at her hands and she starts to laugh, pushing him away.
I look up to see Riley walk through the kitchen and into the room. In his arms he holds the most precious thing, Zachary Paul, my world.
My lil’ guy is the cutest little thing with his big hazel eyes and brown hair. Emma and Riley swear he looked just like their father when he was born. We knew we wanted Zachary to be our son’s first name, but as soon as he was born, Riley said he wanted to use his dad’s name as the middle name. Knowing how important it was to Riley, I just smiled and agreed. Now, looking at my son and husband together, there’s nothing they’d ask of me that I’d say no to…well, at least not yet.
I watch as Chloe walks toward Riley and Zack with her arms extended.
“Gimme, gimme,” she says as Riley hands her our son.
“Chill, lady, he just woke up from our nap and I don’t want you making him all cranky,” Riley says, helping Chloe take Zack’s coat off.
“Ugh, you love your Aunti Chloe, don’t you, Zacky-poo?”
I stand up next to her, “Don’t call him that.”
“Oops, sorry handsome, we can only use our nicknames when Mama isn’t around.”
I laugh at my sister as she gives Zack kisses all over his chubby little face.
The doorbell rings and I walk to the front door. As I open it, a smile comes to my face when I see Emma, Pete, and Karter.
“Hey guys, come on in. The party is just starting in the living room.”
Emma leans in to give me a kiss and Pete takes Karter in his arms as he walks past me.
As she steps away from me, I catch a glimpse of something sparkling on her finger. I reach for her hand and she pulls it away from me.
“Emma!” I screech.
“Shh, don’t say anything,” she whispers.
“What do you mean don’t say anything? I can clearly see it on your finger, spill it, lady.”
She rolls her eyes at me and shakes her head.
“It was a surprise…a total surprise last night.”
“Yeah, well I guess so; I didn’t even know he was going to ask. I’ll assume you said yes.”
“Of course I said yes. I just don’t want to make a big deal of it today. It’s Heather’s first birthday and I don’t want to take away from it.”
I give her a smirk.
“Come on, you know us better than that. Plus, the lil’ angel won’t know for a minute if we’re all gawking over the rock on your finger. You’re engaged, Emma, be happy to share the news with everyone.”
She lets out a sigh and a huge smile comes across her face.
“I guess you’re right. I’ll wait ‘til everyone is here and then I’ll let them know.”
“Sounds good, girl, I just hope he told Riley.”
“I don’t think he expected to have to ask my brother for permission.”
“That’s not what I meant. Come on, let’s go mingle with the crazies in the other room.”
We giggle together for a moment and then make our way in with the rest of the crew.
Emma moves right over to the couch near where Heather is ripping at the wrapping paper.
Pete and Chloe set the boys down next to Heather, and the rest of us start to find a seat around the living room.
I glance around the room and watch as our tight-knit group begins to enjoy one another. The crew is talking about their work week and the three kids are settled on the carpet, propped up with pillows while playing with their toys and Manny.
Riley was able to touch me in a way that no one else ever has. He is my best friend, my soul mate, and the man I could never live without. The life we are creating together is one of pure love and devotion. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him by my side.
Derrick and Chloe have a bond that has grown dramatically over the past few years. No matter what obstacles they face, they’re able to hurdle them as a couple. Chloe may have been one of the most stubborn women I’ve ever known, but Derrick knows exactly what to do and say to keep her grounded. He tells her constantly, I’ve been touched by you and only you.
Emma and Pete were touched by another when love was the last thing they were looking for. They’ve helped each other deal with so much that without the other, they’d be lost. Through loss and grief they’ve caught each other when they thought they may fall.
This is my family, my forever family that will continue to grow, live, and learn from one another. We’ve all be given the most precious gifts with our children and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us.
As crazy as we can be at times, it’s the love and support we share that keep us all sane. No matter what, we are in this life together as a family and will get through the good times and the bad times.
I can’t wait by Runner Runner
Marry You by Bruno Mars
Arms by Christina Perri
All of Me by John Legend
Say Something by A Great Big World
For Once In My Life by Tony Bennett
Not Meant To Be by Theory of a Deadman
Oxygen by Colbie Caillat
I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden
I Feel Like That by Jason Walker
Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
I Do by Colbie Caillat
Back in Black by The Rock Masters
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
Always and Forever by Luther Vandross
Through the Years by Kenny Rogers
You Can Leave Your Hat On by Joe Cocker
Touch Me August 26, 2013
Touched By You October 26, 2013
Touched By Another January 26, 2014
You’ve Been Touched February 14, 2014
Pierced Love December 15, 2013
Cursed Series Spring 2014
Fighter Series Summer 2014
t. h.snyder is my pen name.
I am a 34 year old single mother to two amazing kids.
I became an avid reader in spring of 2012 and since have read over 250 books.
My genre of interest ranges from Romance to thrilling Paranormal.
This is more than just a hobby for me, it’s a passion to read the words of great authors and bring life to their stories with my reviews and character castings.
I started writing my first novel in June of 2013 and I am anxious to see where this journey takes me!!
You can continue to show your support by liking and following me on facebook, twitter, and goodreads.
hive.