Linda suddenly sucked in a breath as she recognized it. "Is that the locket you wanted when we were young?" She frowned, tilting her head forward. "Or a very good copy of it?"
"No, it's the original." Maggie's voice was hoarse and her eyes filled with unshed tears.
Linda's face dropped as she realized what it was and automatically raised her arm to look at the charm bracelet on her wrist. She had not taken it off since she'd opened her father's present earlier.
"Is that what my father gave you?" Linda's voice was soft as her eyes moved from the locket to Maggie's face.
Maggie quickly wiped away a tear and nodded. She grabbed the locket and flipped it open. "Look, it's got a picture of my mom and dad."
Linda moved closer and her heart squeezed. "Maggie, it's beautiful."
Maggie nodded. "Your father had it engraved at the back."
She flipped it over and Linda's breath caught in her throat as she struggled to hold back the tears, not wanting to ruin her makeup.
Maggie.Keep them close to your heart.LoveThe Heart Family
They stood for a moment staring at the locket. Both women were trying to hold back the overwhelming emotion coursing through them.
"He always knew exactly what to get us," Maggie whispered.
Linda nodded, unable to speak right then.
"I used to think that your father had a direct line to Santa." Maggie laughed, trying to move the heavy emotion back to something lighter.
Linda sniffed and laughed. "Yes. I once asked him if he had listening devices on us as he just always knew what we wanted."
"Your mother always said the reason she never thought she could replace your father was because he listened," Maggie remembered. "And he did." Her voice broke and she sucked in a breath, determined not to cry. "I think we should change the subject." She sniffed. "Because I'm on the brink of crying. Which will make you cry and your tears will ruin that gorgeous creation you are wearing. That will make the designer mad."
Linda gave a soft snort and then grabbed her best friend in a tight hug.
"Thank you, Mags," she whispered to her friend. "You always know exactly what to say."
"And how to dress you," Maggie teasingly added to her best friend's compliments as she gently pulled out of Linda's embrace. "Now no more hugging." She pointed to the blouse. "We need to keep you elegant and crease free."
"I have to hug the kids goodnight," Linda pointed out.
"I'll be your proxy hugger tonight," Maggie offered. "I have it on good authority that someone snuck them caramel popcorn which they are currently eating while watching a movie."
"Maggie!" Linda huffed playfully. "Did they at least eat real food first?"
"Yes," Maggie answered. "While you were showering they had a nutritious dinner of pizza."
Linda sighed and rolled her eyes. "Tomorrow they are having fish and salad."
"Okay," Maggie agreed. "But that's tomorrow." She grinned, as Linda grabbed her matching burgundy clutch and walked out of the room. "Tonight it's a movie night with Maggie."
"Just ensure you don't give them too much junk food," Linda said resignedly.
"Don't worry about us," Maggie told her. "You go and enjoy your night."
Linda walked down the wide staircase of Heart House at six twenty-five, and the long sectional in the family room had become an island of children.
Sophia was at one end with Lily curled against her shoulder. Emma was tucked into the middle with a bowl of popcorn between her knees. Jake and Toby were sprawled along the bottom, propped up on cushions, with the dog wedged firmly between them. Some sort of cheerful family film was playing low on the screen across the room.
Sophia turned first.
"Gran," Sophia exclaimed. "You look beautiful."
