“What’s wrong?” I ask, catching onto her wrist gently before she gets into the car.
“You didn’t tell them I was your nanny,” she says. “Do you think they thought I was Alice’s mom?”
I shrug. “I don’t know,” I admit. “But it’s obvious you and I are close. I figured it was better not to. Is that okay?”
She nods. “As long as it’s okay with you if they thought we were a couple.”
I breathe out a laugh. “It doesn’t bother me, Catherine. Come on, let’s go.”
When we get back to the hotel, I take Alice out of her car seat and carry her up to our room.
As I’m getting her ready for bed, she looks up at me and gives me a sad look.
“What’s wrong, honey?” I ask, my brows furrowed.
I sit down on the bed next to Alice and take her tiny hand in mine.
Catherine enters the room with a small smile on her face.
“Are we all tucked in and ready for bed yet?” she asks. When she sees the look on Alice’s face, she takes a seat on the other side of the bed. “Is everything okay?”
Alice peers up at me. “Daddy, remember when Catherine asked if Darren and Susan thought Catherine was my mom?”
I nod, panic swirling within me. “Yes, honey. What about it?”
“Can you tell me more about Mommy? Just in case anyone forgets about her, I want to be able to tell them all about her.”
I feel a pang in my chest at her words, but I take a deep breath and try to compose myself. “Of course, honey,” I reply gently. “What would you like to know?”
Alice fidgets in her bed for a moment before asking, “What was Mommy like? I don’t really remember her.”
I glance at Catherine for support, and she gives me a reassuring smile. “Well, your mother was amazing,” I begin, my voice slightly shaky. “She was kind, and she always had a smile on her face. She loved to dance and sing, and she had a way of making everyone around her feel happy.”
Catherine jumps in, adding to my words. “She was also very creative and talented. She was an artist, and her paintings were beautiful.”
I pause, glancing over at Catherine to calm my nerves. Catherine reaches over and puts a hand on mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“She was also incredibly brave,” Catherine adds.
Alice listens intently, her eyes wide with wonder. “Wow,” she whispers. “I wish she was still here.”
“I know, honey,” I say, reaching across the table to take her hand. “But even though she’s not with us anymore, she’s always with us in our hearts and memories.”
Catherine smiles at me, her eyes brimming with emotion. “And you know what, Alice? Your mom would be so proud of you. You’re growing up into such a smart and wonderful young girl, just like her.”
Alice nods, a small smile appearing on her face. “I think I remember her a little now,” she says.
I feel a weight lifting off my shoulders at her words. It’s been so hard for me to talk about Emily, but seeing Alice’s reaction makes it all worth it.
“All right, sweetheart,” I say to Alice. “It’s time for you to get some sleep.”
Catherine and I both kiss her goodnight, and then head back to our bedroom.
We take a few moments to admire the view of the beach from our window.
“I wish we could stay longer,” Catherine says.
“I know,” I reply, wrapping my arm around her waist. “But we can take more trips like this in the future.”
