The next afternoon,I packed up my suitcase and rolled it into the foyer where Delilah and Richard were waiting for me. After talking with Grace, I decided to cut my trip short and booked an earlier flight home. I didn’t know if it would work, if Ella would even give me the time of day, but I had to try to get her back.
“It sure was good to see you, son,” Richard said, clasping his hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure you won’t let me take you to the airport?”
I shook my head. “The Uber will be here in a minute. That airport traffic can be kind of crazy. There’s no sense in you getting out in it.”
“I’m so glad you came.” Delilah placed her hand on the side of my face. “And I’m glad you talked with Grace.”
I didn’t know what plan Grace was cooking up in her head, but she seemed confident Ella would see me. “Me too.”
“You will always have us, dear.” Delilah said. “We’re your family.”
“I know.” I pulled her into my embrace. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“You had all the answers you needed.” She placed her hand on my chest. “Right in here. They were there all along.”
“You’re going to get Ella back,” Richard assured me.
“I hope so,” I said, a flurry of nerves rising in my stomach.
“I know so,” Delilah insisted. “And one day, when you’re ready, I want you to bring her and Grace to meet us. You can even bring Bradley Cooper.”
“I would love that,” I said. In my mind’s eye, I could see myself walking through their front door again with Ella and Grace by my side. The vision felt so real it could have been a snapshot. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but I prayed that vision would become a reality.
Richard peeked out the front door. “Looks like your Uber’s here.” He pronounced it ‘youber,’ and I stifled a laugh. “Let me take that suitcase out to the car for you.”
“I’ve got it.” I tried to stop him, but his reflexes were quick. He snatched it before I could stop him.
“Richard, you’re going to throw your back out,” Delilah said, shaking her head.
“I’ve got it,” he insisted.
Delilah rolled her eyes. “At least use the rollers.”
“Mind your own business, woman.” He stuck his tongue out at her before rolling my suitcase to the waiting car.
I watched the way Delilah’s eyes followed Richard as she chuckled. “I swear that man will be the death of me.” If Ella and I were lucky, we’d be like them one day. I hoped we’d be together long enough to drive each other crazy. “Let us know when you land, will you?”
“I will,” I promised. “Thank you, Delilah. For everything. I don’t know what I did to deserve you and Richard, but I’m so thankful for you both.”
Delilah’s eyes misted. “You get on out of here before you make me cry.” She stepped up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “We love you, son. Never forget that.”
I gave her one last hug. “I love you too.”
“Now, get,” she said, shooing me out the door. “I don’t want you to miss your flight.”
I got in the Uber and waved as the car pulled away. When we got to the edge of the driveway, I turned back and watched as Richard pulled Delilah into his arms. They may not have been my family by blood, but they were my family by love.
And love was all that mattered.
“So, to the airport?” the driver asked, making small talk. “Where are you headed?”
As I watched Richard and Delilah disappear from view, I thought of Ella and Grace. “Home. I’m headed home again.”
Thirty-One
Ella
“Hello, my little chicken cutlets,”Antoni greeted as he sauntered over to our table at Rosepepper Cantina. “Sorry I’m late.” He made his way around the table passing out kisses to Liv and Katie.
