“So, what? She’s just going to give up? Miracles happen every damn day.”
“I know. I told her the same thing. Maybe everyone can talk her into it tomorrow.”
“She needs a second opinion.”
“She got a second and a third. All three told her the same thing.”
His reply is to pull me close and bury his face in my neck. When he angles away, his eyes are misty with tears. “If I’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that life is short. You have to live each day as if it could be your last. I love you, Mara. I love Finley, and I want us to be a family. I’ll give you time to let that sink in. Give you time to process what I’m telling you.”
“What exactly are you telling me? I’m not fishing for compliments, but I just want to make sure what I think you’re saying and what you mean are the same thing.”
“I want to marry you. If you’ll let me, I’d love to be that little girl’s daddy. I want more babies and memories and… I want it all, Mara.”
“I’m—” I start, but he stops me.
“I know you’re not ready, but please think about it. It’s fast I know, but when you know, you know. And I know you and Finley are my heart.” He leans in and kisses me. “Now, it’s been a long day and tomorrow is going to be even longer. Let’s go to bed. I need to hold you.”
He gets no complaint from me. Together, we lock up the house, turning off all the lights. Stopping at her door, we check on Finley and then head to his room.
Our room.
As promised, he holds me close all night long.
Chapter Eleven
Seth 11
* * *
There’s something wet on my lips, and I think I’m dreaming until I hear a shouted whisper, “Sef, wake up.” Slowly, I peel one eye, then the other open to find Finley sitting next to me on the bed. She’s on her knees leaning over me. She’s smiling wide, and her green eyes—the ones she got from her momma—are sparkling. “I go to fishes,” she says, pulling on my hand to get me out of bed.
With everything that happened yesterday, I forgot that my parents are stopping by to take her to the aquarium. That works out because she doesn’t need to be here to see all of us upset. “Shh, don’t wake Mommy.” I place my finger to my lips.
Finley mocks me, but her “shhh” is not quiet at all.
“Morning,” Mara says, rolling over to face us.
“Momma, fishes.” Finley bounces on her knees.
“That’s right.” Mara chuckles.
“Let’s get some breakfast and then a bath. What time are they going to be here?” she asks me.
“Mom said around eleven.”
“Good, we don’t have to rush. Come on, kiddo. Let’s go get some breakfast.” Mara throws the covers off and climbs out of bed.
“Sef, go.” Finley pulls on my hand again, trying to move me.
“Uh-oh,” I say dramatically, gaining her full attention. “You just woke up the tickle monster.” I hold my hands in the air, fingers spread wide, and sit up. When I start for her, she squeals, climbing off the bed laughing. I take my time chasing her in slow motion, letting her get ahead of me. “Here comes the tickle monster,” I say, my feet hitting the hardwood floor. I walk toward her, mimicking a zombie, and she cackles with laughter and rushes out of the room yelling for her mommy to save her.
When I reach the kitchen, she’s hiding between Mara’s legs and her laughter fills up the entire house. Bending down, I lift her into my arms and place a wet sloppy kiss on her cheek. “I love you, Finny.” It feels good to be able to tell her. To tell them both. “I love you too, Momma.” I lean in and kiss Mara on the cheek as well.
“Wuvs yous,” Finley says, kissing my cheek and leaning out of my arms to do the same to Mara.
We eat eggs and toast for breakfast, then Mara takes Finley to give her a bath and get ready to spend the day with my parents. They’ve met Finley a few times over the last couple of months, and they’re both thrilled to have a grandchild to focus on. Mom’s words, not mine. Finley took to them right away. I’m glad she has them and that my parents are so supportive. She needs all the love life has to give. I work on cleaning up from breakfast before going to our room and taking a shower. By the time I’m done, Finley is ready, and I take over keeping her entertained while Mara gets ready.
“We make a good team,” I say, snaking my arm around her waist and kissing her quickly.
“We do.” She smiles and wriggles out of my hold to go shower.
An hour later, my parents are knocking on the door. “Come in,” I call out. The three of us are on the couch watching cartoons.
“Finley girl, you ready to go see some big fish?” my dad asks.
“Fishes!” she cheers, jumping off the couch and running to him. He’s ready for her, bending to lift her into his arms.
“That’s right. All kinds of fish, and sharks and turtles,” my dad says with extreme enthusiasm.
“Thank you for offering to take her. It’s all she’s talked about,” Mara says.
“We’re just glad you’re letting us take her. They’re such a joy at this age,” Mom says affectionately. “Okay, down to business. Any rules or allergies we should know about? You know, like to ice cream?” Mom asks.
“Fishes and ice cweam.” Finley nods, making us all laugh.
“No allergies, and I trust you.”
My mom steps forward and wraps Mara in a hug. “Thank you, dear. I promise she’s in good hands. We’re going to take our time. You two enjoy your day together.”
“We actually have everyone coming over at noon.” I don’t need to clarify everyone; my parents know how tight-knit our group is.
“Really?” she asks, surprised.
“Yeah, Amelia’s sick.” I pause before saying that vile word. “Cancer.”
“Oh my.” Mom places her hand over her heart. “What can I do? What does she need? How is she?” she fires off.
“I’m not sure, I don’t know, and as good as can be expected,” I answer. I run my fingers through my hair. “She hasn’t told anyone else, so that’s what today is about.”
“Please give her a hug from us. Oh my, I just can’t believe this,” Mom says, more to herself than to us.
“Yes. Let us know what she needs,” Dad chimes in. He wraps his arm around Mom and pulls her close.
“Now I see where you get it,” Mara whispers just for me.
“Why don’t you guys take my truck, so you don’t have to move the seat back and forth?” I offer my parents. I need to change the subject. I don’t want to be upset when she gets here, making this day harder for her.
“Oh, we bought one.”
“What?” Mara asks, not able to hide her surprise.
“Yeah, that way, if we ever need to pick her up or want to take her with us, we’ll have it.” Mom shrugs like it’s no big deal while Mara sags against me. The weight of my family’s acceptance hits her hard.
“Give Mommy a kiss,” Dad says, stepping forward and allowing Finley to kiss her mom and give her a hug.
“Bye-bye, Momma.”
“Don’t forget Seth,” Dad tells her, stepping to the side, bringing her closer to me.
“My Sef,” she says, kissing my cheek and hugging me as well.
“Bye, Finny. Be good,” I say, then address my parents. “Thanks, guys. We can come and pick her up. Just call us when you’re home.”
“Oh, we’ll bring her home. You two do what you need to do. Send Amelia our love,” Mom says before they walk out the door.
“Oh my God. Seth, your parents.” Mara shakes her head. “I can’t believe… they’re just… they’re amazing. She’s never had grandparents in her life,” she says, wiping at her eyes.
“Now she does.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”