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"So good," Emily says through a full mouth of fries.
"I still can't believe you don't have these in Oregon. That is a travesty," Kate says as she too shovels fries into her mouth.
"They're building one in our area, so it won't be long now. I’m gonna to need to stay away though. These fries, with this sauce, could become a serious problem."
We finish up our lunch and start to get our bags ready to go. We could have stayed until Sunday, but I thought it might be better to get home tonight. It would be nice to have a day so that Emily could do laundry, and get ready for her week, and so I wouldn't have to take a vacation day on Sunday. I’m saving all the vacation days I can at the moment. I have a plan and it's going to take some time off of work to come to fruition.
Liam is taking us to the airport, so he grabs our bags and takes them out to the truck to wait for us while the rest of the family makes their way around to each of us.
"Ireland, I had so much fun playing with you this weekend! Thanks for spending Turkey Day with us," Kate says as she lifts Ireland off the ground and into a big hug. "You be sure to take care of Savannah for me!" She says looking my way. She gives me a wink that says she was asking that little girl to take care of more than just her new stuffed bear.
"My turn! Hand her over Kate!" Mr. F exclaims next to them. I see him take her into his arms and notice Mrs. F and Emily over in the corner having a quiet conversation. I watch as Emily listens, and Fiona reaches up to pat her cheek gently then pulls her in for a hug. Once again, my heart is turning into hot liquid goo over the sight in front of me. The Fanuas acceptance of my girls into the family means more to me than they will ever know. I wish my mom was here, but this has been the best Thanksgiving ever.
"Take care of these two, Better Big Brother. They're keepers,” Kate says bringing me in for a hug. Not usually too sentimental, she releases me quickly and heads over to Emily who has just let go of Mrs. F.
"Get over here, son," Mr. F orders. I obey his command and take the two steps it takes to get to him. He pulls me in for one of his epic bear hugs and says for only me to hear. "I am so proud of you, Jonathan. You are a good man, and those two little ladies are lucky to have you in their life. Take good care of them because they seem to love you just as much as you love them. It's nice to see that they've brought that light back to your eyes, son. Don't let that go."
I squeeze him a little harder and say, "Thanks, Mr. F for everything. You're the best dad I could have ever asked for. I'm glad you like the girls because I'm hoping you'll be seeing a lot more of them, and for a very long time."
When I pull back I see tears in his big brown eyes. I look at him with confusion not sure what I said wrong.
When he sees the confused look on my face he gives my face a gentle slap and says, "I never wanted to replace your dad, son, but it warms my heart to hear you call me dad. I hope you know I love you like my own."
Now, my eyes are wet with unshed tears when I reply back to him. "I do, Mr. F. I do."
"Enough you two! Jonathan come give this old lady a kiss goodbye!" Fiona interjects.
I do as I’m told and give her a big hug and a kiss. She keeps her goodbye short and sweet. "I love you, Jonathan. Thanks for sharing your girls with us."
"Love you too, Mrs. F."
"Now get out of here, the three of you, before I get weepy!"
Heading out the door Emily takes my hand and we slowly make our way to a waiting Liam. I’m having a harder time leaving than I expected. We get Ireland in her seat, jump in and get settled while Kate and her parents stand on the porch waving goodbye until they can no longer see us. I miss them already.
It doesn't take long to arrive at the departures drop off at Hilton Head International Airport. Liam hops out and helps Emily get our bags out of the back while I get Ireland and her seat. When Ireland and I come around the back, I see Liam release Emily and then lift his hand to give her one of her famous high-fives. It means so much to me that they seem to get along. This trip has turned out better than I could have ever hoped.
Emily grabs Ireland’s hand and steps away so I can say goodbye to my brother from another mother. He gives me one of those bro handshakes that he pulls into a hug. While he gives my back a couple of slaps he says, "Miss you, man. Take care of yourself and keep going to therapy. Those girls are great. I’m happy for you, dude."
"Thanks, Liam. Miss you too. Try to stay out of trouble and fight for that girl if she's the one."
I take a couple steps away and turn to give one last wave. He just gives me a nod, jumps into his truck and drives off. As I turn back to grab the bags Emily is right there waiting for me. She lifts up on her toes and gives me a soft kiss. "Thanks for a great Thanksgiving, Georgia."
"Thanks for coming, Gracie. You too, Princess," I say as I look down at Ireland. She currently has a stuffed Frank under one arm and a stuffed Savannah under the other.
"Welcome, Jonafon," she says with a smile while the breeze blows her little blond curls all over her face.
Could she be any cuter?
37
Emily
"You know, every time I see one of these little boxes of raisins I can't help but feel a bit sad. Those raisins could have been grapes, and those grapes could have been wine. It's tragic really," Cami says as she opens one of the little red boxes that I have out for the kids and tosses a raisin in her mouth.
"Truth," I say back matter-of-factly as I grab my own little red box of what could have been.
My little girl is five today.
