After we make our rounds and she meets everyone, she wiggles to get down. I watch as she goes from person to person, each one of them falling for her charm… the same charm her mother got me with so many years ago.
Josie and Katelyn recruit Whiskey to help them in the kitchen, while JD and Harrison man the grill. Whiskey fills Liam in on Dhara while he’s in the kitchen with her and tells him how she’s been a fan forever. Liam promises to give her the red-carpet treatment at the show tonight.
Outside, I hang with the guys. Harrison hands me a beer from the cooler, but I pass, opting for water. I don’t know if Whiskey drinks in front of her daughter and I don’t really want to put us in an awkward situation.
“She’s a stunner,” JD says.
“Thanks, man.”
“Quinn really likes her,” Harrison adds. “Nola was a bit sad that you moved out.”
“Yeah, I know, but I needed to show Whiskey that I’m serious about her and Evelyn — and somehow, spending the night in one room of a place that isn’t mine doesn’t exactly scream responsibility.”
“No, it really doesn’t. What’s the plan for tomorrow?” Harrison asks.
“Disney!” JD yells. “Eden is really excited. Jenna has the tickets.”
“Speaking of, where is Jenna?” I ask.
“Eden, surfing, beach,” JD says, shrugging. “She’s always surfing but she’s good and I love that kid more than life so whatever makes her happy.”
I lean against the railing of my deck and look back into my house. Whiskey’s laughing and she looks like she’s in her element. In that moment, I realize how important her happiness really is to me… hers and Evelyn’s.
I hear Evelyn yell for Chandler and a smile spreads across my face. Even if Whiskey decides this life isn’t for her, Evelyn will have some great memories of her trip to California.
30
Jamie
When Ajay and I got married, he promised to take me to Disney World. It has always been my dream, so the fact that I’m walking into Disneyland with my daughter between me and my husband has my emotions soaring.
The clan is with us, including Dhara and Fletcher. It’s the only way I can describe this enormous family properly. There are so many of them and the only time I can tell Peyton and Elle apart is when they’re with their respective partners. Still, this is the family I’ve always wanted for Ajay and there is no way in hell I would ever take it away from him. I already know Evelyn’s comfortable with him, and he with her.
This morning, I snuck downstairs and found them eating breakfast together; she was sitting on the counter and he was standing next to her. She was feeding him a banana while he read the paper. I watched them for a bit, just being together. She would ask him a question, he would answer and ask her one right back. I don’t know how long they had been awake together getting to know each other this morning, but it warmed my heart to see and showed me that she and I can do this. My parents will miss us and that makes me sad, but it’s my choice to make and this is where I want to be.
I stop at the entrance and take it all in, fighting back a wave of emotions. I have been dreaming of this my whole life and it’s finally coming true. The people in our party are taking pictures, making the poor photographer work hard for his money. We each take turns posing and I already know my favorite is going to be the one of Ajay, Evelyn, and me. I don’t care if my eyes are closed or if she’s making a funny face… it’s our first family photo.
I’m squeezing the life out of Ajay’s hand as we walk out onto Main Street. My daughter is beside herself with excitement while I’m in awe.
“Have you been here before?”
“With Keane and Chandler. If I had known… I would’ve waited for you,” he says.
“It’s okay, we’re here together now.”
After two more rounds of photos, we finally make it to the castle where a cast member is holding a sign that reads “Ballard.” Ajay goes up to her and they speak for a moment. When he comes back, he’s grinning from ear-to-ear as he crouches down in front of Evelyn.
“Mickey and Minnie want to know if you’re ready to have breakfast with them?”
Her eyes widen as her hand covers her mouth. “But I already ate.”
“It’s okay, they won’t mind. Come on.” He reaches for her hand and we follow the cast member through the park and into a restaurant not far from the castle.
“Mommy!” Evelyn screeches my name. “Mommy, look!” She’s pointing to the Disney Princesses who are lined up along with almost every single character possible.
Ajay glances around, looking slightly confused. He says something to the cast member and then turns toward Harrison. “You did this?”
“We did,” Katelyn says. “We wanted her to have a special day.”