AllFreeNovel
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“Bye, Dr. Weston,” Beatrice says from the reception area. “Oh, who’s this.”
“This is Sara. We were here visiting Jarod.”
“Nice to meet you, Sara. I’m Beatrice.” Sara puts her face down on my shoulder, and Beatrice reaches up to rub her back. “She’s got your eyes, Broadie.” It’s as if my intuitive receptionist knows.
“Would you look at that? I guess she does.”
Returning to my car, Sara clutches her arms tightly around my neck, as I prepare to head back to Nick and Kat’s place. The thought of leaving her hurts more each time we say goodbye.
I buckle Sara into the car seat just as my cell phone buzzes in my back pocket. Pulling it out, I see my lovely wife’s face on the screen. “Hi, beautiful. We’re headed back to Kat and Nick’s now.”
“Oh good. Do you mind stopping to pick up a loaf of good bread from the grocery store on your way back? Kat is making us dinner.”
The instant relief that washes over me, knowing we don’t have to leave the moment I return with Sara is startling. How have I gone from an absentee dad to one who wants to spend every moment with all four of my girls?
“Sure, babe. We’ll be there soon.”
As I carry Sara into the grocery store, it hits me how bad I’ve been at parenting. I look for a cart and struggle to figure out whether I need to buckle her into the front or just let her sit there with her legs dangling. “Are you going to be good and sit still in here, so you don’t fall out?” I tease.
She nods up and down, her smile pulling at the cleft. Bending down, I kiss her on her head and go in search of a good crusty loaf of bread.
“Would the little one like a cookie?” the girl behind the bakery counter asks.
Well, how the hell could I say no now? Sara’s arms are outstretched, fingers wiggling for the treat.
“Thank you.” Her voice is soft and low. It’s so rare she speaks that it almost catches me off guard.
“Oh, such a sweet girl.” The woman wearing the hair net beams. “Isn’t it exciting?”
“What?” I ask, dumbfounded. Had I missed something?
“Watching them grow up. Finding out who they’re going to be. It’s like the best gift ever.” The woman’s enthusiasm is infectious. “Enjoy every moment. They go by so quickly.”
She’s right. I’m suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for so many things. Not only that I have the opportunity to be surrounded by these amazing girls, Poppy, Lauren, Lilly, and Sara. But that I was fortunate enough to get my act together and grow up before they did, so I could enjoy every moment from here on out.
The End.
