“Bye Grandma!” Amber calls.
Inside, I show Amber the Barbie house. She sits cross-legged. “This one is so cool.”
“It is cool,” I say, sitting beside her. “When I was little, I used to love Barbies.”
“I love Barbies,” she sings. “Can we play?”
I snort. “Well, obviously, I have been waiting!”
“Can you be Doctor Barbie?” she asks.
“Yes, I absolutely do.”
She hands me a Barbie in a white doctor’s coat. “You just have to make sure Barbie gets to the hospital. And then you have to give her a candy. That’s how doctors work, you know?”
“Got it!”
Amber dramatically thrusts the doll at the house. “Oh no, help. I have a broken leg.”
“Oh no,” I cry, rushing my roll over. “Hurry, we need the hospital.”
We play for ten straight minutes with some serious dramatics. I have actually lost track of the time when the door opens, and Travis steps in. We both spin around.
“Sunshine?” he whispers, pausing, his face scrunching with emotion.
My heart.
Amber whirls around, face lighting up.
“Daddy!”
She launches up and runs towards him. He lifts her, spinning her around, kisses peppering her cheeks. She wraps her tiny arms around his neck. My chest tightens, he’s missed her so much and seeing them like this is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Travis turns to me, his eyes glassy. “You did this?”
“Well, not really,” I shrug, my voice thick. “Her grandma called and asked. I thought it would be a nice surprise.”
“Thank you,” he says, voice thick. “This is the best gift ever.”
“She needs you as much as you need her,” I murmur, smiling at Amber.
“What do you say we hit the beach?” he turns to Amber, grinning.
“Yay!” she squeals. “I love the beach. Violet, will you come?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Do you still have swimmers here, Daddy?” Amber asks.
“Yep.”
“Yay!” She squeals and dashes off.
Travis walks over and pulls me close. “Of all the things you could do for me, this—” He presses his forehead to mine. “Will never be forgotten.”
“I would do anything for you.”
He kisses me long and soft. His hands slide over my back, lips tracing mine until I’m breathless. He pulls back and brushes a thumb over my swollen lip.
