She nods slowly. “Her parents were heartbroken but relieved she is finally coming home. Maggie helped us. She had Melody’s urn exhumed yesterday.”
“Because Maggie is next of kin to Jenny.” I let out a long sigh.
She nods. “Dirk told them we recently discovered the records had been mixed up. Rachel gave Dirk the paperwork, so we’ll have something to give to them for proof of the remains.”
“Wow, that’s a lot.”
“Maggie had her headstone removed, but the lot still belongs to Jenny. The one in between her and Rachel is now yours.” Jesse bumps her shoulder to mine. “I know you and Jenny offered to help find her family, but Dirk said you two had been through enough. He needed to do this … for Rachel.”
I glance back at Dirk. He’s talking to Dan. Dan doesn’t look any happier about them leaving than I do.
“We won’t be gone forever, you know?”
“I know, but I’ll miss you guys. You’ve always been here.”
“You’ll be so busy with the grandkids and Jenny you won’t even know we’re gone.”
“I will. You know I will.” I fold my arms over my chest, and she hugs me. “But I do want you to have the best of time. Really, I do. I’ll quit sulking now.”
She places a kiss at the corner of my mouth. “I love you, Raffe.”
“I love you too.” I pretend to kick rocks, and she laughs.
We walk over to Dan and Dirk, and the four of us join together in a group huddle. “You fuckers better keep an eye on my daughter and grandkids,” Dirk warns.
“You know it, brother,” Dan promises him.
“It’s been a hell of a ride, hasn’t it?” Dirk says.
“It sure has,” I agree quietly.
“Okay.” Dirk pats Dan and me on the back in a final goodbye. “We’ll call you guys when we get to our first destination.”
“No need. We’ll be stalking you,” Dan jokes, but it’s not a joke. We’ll be tracking them. He grabs the back of Jesse’s head, bringing their foreheads together. “You call me if you get in trouble, little girl. Got it?”
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes and pretends to throw sass, but it’s not as convincing when tears are streaming down her face.
“Okay then. Onward and upward, my friends,” Dirk says, guiding his wife out of the warehouse. They stop on the threshold, looking back. “Until next time.” He gives us a one finger salute and then ushers her out the door.
“Well, hell, brother. I suppose we better get going too,” Dan says.
We’re just about to wake the girls when both of our phones go off.
We pull them out at the same time, read, stare at each other for a few minutes, and then jump into action.
“Shit, girls. You’ve got to get up,” I say, lightly shaking Jenny.
She rubs her eyes, trying to sit up, careful not to push on Lily. “What time is it?”
“Time to get your fucking asses up. We’re about to have a baby.” Dan claps his hands. “Come on, sweetheart. You can sleep at Jackson’s.”
Jenny blinks at me.
Oh shit. I haven’t even told her!
“Willow wants us to be in the delivery room with her, and she’s in labor. Her water broke. They’ll be headed to the hospital as soon as Dan and Lily can get over there to watch Aspen.”
Lily bolts off the couch like she’s been electrocuted. “Let’s go.” She grabs Dan’s hand and rushes out the door.
