With tearful eyes, my mom looks at my dad before returning her gaze to us. “Your father and I wanted to do something special for you guys so that when you are here visiting, Emme has a place of her own.”
My breath hitches as my father opens the door, and they step aside, revealing what’s inside. I fall back in shock, thankful that Zach is there behind me to keep me upright. His grip on my shoulders tightens as we make our way into the room.
My hands cover my mouth as I look around the room that was once decorated with lacrosse trophies, car posters, and pictures of my best friend. The walls are now covered in a pale pink. There is a rocking chair in the corner with a small bookshelf. I run my fingers along the worn wood. I can r
emember this same chair in my parents’ room growing up.
“That over there is the same rocking chair I had from when you and your brother were babies.”
Tears flow freely down my face as I notice the crib and beautiful bedding, but it is the lyrics on the wall that brings on the waterworks. Above the crib are lyrics to “Golden Slumbers” by the Beatles, the same song we heard at the cemetery.
My dad steps beside me, placing his arm around my shoulders. “I used to sing that song to you both. It’s one of my favorite Beatles songs.”
I don’t even know what to say. I wrap my arms around my dad. “Thank you so much. This is perfect. I am at a loss for words that you guys did this.”
“Well, it wasn’t all us. Kelly and Adam helped too.”
I look over my shoulder at Zach, who is staring at the photo of him and my brother on the wall.
“Brian and I will leave you three in here, and you can feed Grandma’s little angel. But once you are back downstairs, I hope you know that I don’t plan to give her up at all.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I know. I’m chopped liver when you and Kelly or Dani are around.”
My mom hands Emme off to Zach, and I pull her into an embrace. “Thank you so much for this. You really have no idea how much this means to me.”
“I’m so happy you love it. We’ll see you downstairs. Dinner will be ready soon.”
My parents exit the room, closing the door gently. I sit in the rocking chair and rest my head against the back, closing my eyes. When they open, Zach is in front of me, a smile from ear to ear.
I set Emme into an easy position for feeding before I adjust my shirt, revealing my nursing bra.
“Did you have any idea they were doing this?” I ask once Emme has latched onto my breast.
Zach puts his hands in his pocket and shakes his head. “Not a clue. This is seriously amazing, what they did. Who knew this room could look so good?”
I don’t either. I love that my parents turned his room into a nursery. I know it took a lot of strength to do this, and I love them even more for that. I gaze down at my daughter. Be brave and fearless, Emme. Your Uncle Emmett is always with you.
Five months later…
“They’re all set. You ready to go marry that goofball out there?” My best friend stands in front of me in her dark purple maid-of-honor dress.
The day is finally here: I marry my other best friend, my soul mate, my other half, some may even say my better half. The man at the end of the aisle waiting for me is the love of my life.
I smile at Dani and nod. “I am. It sure seems like it took forever to get here, but I’m ready.”
With one last hug, she turns around, waiting for her cue to walk to the front.
Looking over her shoulder, she mutters, “I mean, technically it did, because someone had to go and get knocked up.”
I hold back my laughter even though the expression on her face is killing me right now. “Don’t make me trip you walking down the aisle, missy.”
“Love you, bestie.” She smirks.
“Love you too,” I yell as the doors open and she disappears down the aisle.
My dad takes his place next to me. He holds out his arm, and I loop mine through his.
“You sure you wanna do this, baby girl?”