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Marlow rushes over to kneel down next to me and Waffles jumps in her lap, yipping with excitement.
“I’m so proud of you, boy,” she croons as she scratches him behind the ears.
I clear my throat. “What about me?”
“You want a good scratch behind the ear too?” she taunts, sending both my brothers into another round of laughter.
God, it’s so good to have her home.
I squeeze Marlow’s hand as we pull into my driveway.
“Dylan, wow.” She gestures to the daisies, lilies, and dahlias I planted in the front yard. “They’re all so beautiful,” she gushes.
“I know how much you like to have real flowers around when you paint. I figured having a variety right outside your window would make for good inspiration.”
“Thank you.” She leans across the console to hug me.
“Daddy, can Waffles and I go play in the backyard?” Lola asks.
“Yeah, sure, ladybug.”
“Oh goodie. Come on, Waffles.” Lola scrambles out of the car, and Waffles chases after her.
Lola walks right past the gate leading to the backyard toward a particular section of the wooden fence.
“What is she doing?” Marlow asks.
“I’m not sure, but we’re about to find out,” I say.
Waffles nudges against the wooden panels, and three of them swing upward like a doggy door, allowing Lola to follow behind him.
Marlow bursts out laughing and looks over at me. “That explains how Waffles was getting into your backyard.”
I rub my hand across my face, realizing that I never checked the fence panels to see if any were loose. I don’t think I’ve ever shown Lola how to open the gate; I just assumed she knew. We usually go through the garage or the backdoor.
“Why don’t we go inside?” I suggest to Marlow.
“I’d like that.” She smiles.
I go around to her side and open her car door for her. She squeals when I lift her into my arms and carry her to the house.
“Welcome home, sunshine,” I say as I carry her over the threshold.
Never before have I spoke words that sound sweeter.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” she says as she cups my cheek with her hand, kissing me fervently on the lips.
I used to view the world in black and white. I prided myself on maintaining a strict schedule and followed a carefully planned regimen. Now, shoes are scattered across the floor, there’s a giant fort in the living room, and a dozen small canvases featuring brightly colored flowers hanging on the wall in the entryway. Marlow mailed us one each week she was away, and Lola was excited every time we put a new one on the wall.
When Marlow fell into my life—quite literally—she brought with her a new perspective. She taught me how to step outside of my comfort zone and to live in the moment. Because of her, I now see the world around me in technicolor, and it’s a beautiful thing.
Getting a new neighbor didn’t turn out anything as I expected, but now I know what happens when a single dad gets a nanny for his daughter…
She becomes their whole universe.
epilogue
DYLAN
