“It looks like you two have quite the cheering section, Grandma MJ,” Eddie says with a laugh, holding the microphone out to me.
“We do,” I manage, overcome with emotion from the abundance of love staring back at me. My entire family is on their feet, and I can’t remember the last time I saw them so happy.
“As you should. That was a heck of a performance, and I hope you and your family enjoy the mountains.” Eddie pats me on the back. “Stop by the booth, and Agnes will get your info so you can collect your prize.”
“Thank you,” I say, reaching for Oliver. I hold up his hand, and the crowd loses it once again.
Once we climb off the stage, I turn to Oliver. “You should take the trip. You did most of the heavy lifting, anyway,” I joke.
He shakes his head and grins. “It’s all yours, Grandma MJ.”
“Really,” I say, nodding toward where my kids are sitting. “Seeing the looks on their faces is the only prize I’ll ever need.”
“I imagine the looks on their faces when they find out they’re going to the mountains will be pretty amazing too.” He gestures at the booth. “Come on. Let’s give them your information.”
Once we finish, we head back to our cheering squad.
Ben wraps me in a hug. “You were great, Mom.”
“Yay, Grandma!” Emily cries.
“You did good, Myra Jean.” Rose nods, dabbing beneath her eyes.
“It was the performance of a lifetime,” Lucy says as she and Willow envelop me between them. “I’m so proud of you.”
Over Willow’s shoulder, I see Oliver wrap Lindsey in his arms, lifting her off her feet, and the sound of her laugh tugs on my heart.
“I’m hungry,” Noah whines, and Ellie shushes him.
“What do you guys say we hit the food trucks before we see the lights?” Kayla asks.
“Yum,” Emily says as Lindsey finally makes her way to me.
Lindsey opens her mouth as though she’s about to say something but closes it, folding her arms around me. The crisp, sweet scent of her hair takes me back to when she was just a little girl and I used to comb her dark locks, the smell of her apple detangler tickling my nose.
Lindsey knew I needed this. Ben and Lucy too. They tried repeatedly to pull me from the depths of grief, but I’d swatted their hands away every time. When had they all grown up? When had they started knowing better than me?
“I love you,” Lindsey whispers in my ear.
I kiss her cheek. “I love you too.”
“I’m so happy you’re here,” she says.
“Me too,” I say, and I mean it.
Ellie gives my arm a squeeze. “We’re going to start toward the food before these two try to gnaw off their own arms.”
Ron extends his hand to me. “Shall we?”
“Actually, you all go on ahead,” I say. “I’d like to speak to Oliver for a second if he doesn’t mind.”
Oliver’s brows shoot up in a question. “Me?”
I nod, and Lindsey smiles, placing her hand on Ron’s shoulder.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” she teases him.
“Always happy to be stuck with you, Doc,” Ron says. “We’ll see you two in a bit.”
