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“You better!” Dan raising up fists, only half joking.
They let go of each other, and then I cling to Andrew’s arm. He walks me toward the other side, to open the door for me, and soon I’m in it, listening to soft rock on the radio and entertaining my daughter in the back seat.
“Mommy! What surprise am I going to get?” Alissa asks, while Andrew enters and starts the engine.
“You’ll see!” Andrew teases, and she groans with frustration.
I suddenly realize that I’m finally forming a family of my own. I love my daughter, and even though my fears have been getting in the way, I love Andrew and I feel like he is doing his best to prove himself.
While Alissa throws out wild guesses as to what the surprise might be, and Andrew has the time of his life teasing her, I sit quietly, just smiling and enjoying the moment.
We arrive at his house. He parks inside the garage, and we use the side door to go inside.
“Andrew, is that you?” Mr. Connoly’s voice comes through.
“Yeah, dad! I brought a surprise for you too!” Andrew says, looking at Alissa.
He picks up Ali and gently taps her nose to get her attention. “You’re not going to be shy around Grandpa John, are you?”
“I have more grandpas?” she looks at me, confused.
“Just one more, sweet pea” I say. Andrew starts to walk, and I follow him. “He was married to another grandma, but she passed away when you were just a baby.”
“What was her name?” Alissa leans her head over Andrew’s shoulder.
“Rosalind,” Andrew says, proud. “But just like the flower, everybody called her Rose.”
“And was she pretty like a rose?” Alissa lifts her head, interested.
“She was! I’m sure Grandpa John would love to show you pictures later,” Andrew says, just as we arrive in the living room.
Mr. Connoly is there, sitting on the couch, with a beer and a sandwich. His jaw is hanging open as he looks at us, but quickly he stands, brushes the breadcrumbs off, and comes to greet me.
“Hello, Emily,” he shakes my hand and places a hand on my shoulder. “Things are a bit different now, right?”
“Yeah,” I lower my gaze, strawberry red. “Do you remember meeting Alissa the other day at the store?”
“Of course, how could I forget this princess?” he comes near her with his baby talk, and Ali shies away, burying her face in the curve of Andrew’s neck.
Andrew puts her on the couch and sits by her side. I know our last stop isn’t there. I stand and watch as newfound grandpa John drools over his newfound little granddaughter.
“Do you know what your father has in store for you?” Mr. Connoly asks her, and she immediately crosses her arms and pouts.
“He’s not my father!” Alissa insists. Andrew bows his head, while his dad widens his eyes.
“Then what is he?” Mr. Connoly becomes confused.
“Chosen family! Like my teacher said.” she answers.
“And why am I not your father, Ali?” Andrew asks, trying to sound casual, but I know that deep inside he’s hurt.
“Because my father is yucky!” Her face of disgust is priceless. “Um… Where’s my surprise?”
Alissa has been working with Miss Olson, and she just keeps telling us to be patient and give Alissa time to understand Andrew’s role in her life, which is exactly what we are trying to do.
The three of us smile politely, while Alissa looks with expectation toward Andrew.
“Do you promise to keep your eyes closed?” Andrew asks, tapping her nose again.
