“Thank you. I would love to,” I said.
“Cheers,” he said tightly and sighed once, lifting his chin. “I can never thank you for all that you’ve done these last years. And now you’ve brought Harrison back into my life full-time. And sweet Collette. There’s no finer way for a man to spend the sunset of his life.”
I reached forward and squeezed his hand. “Thank you for accepting me, for bringing me here to begin with. You gave me hope and a whole new family. I’m happier than I’ve ever been,” I said, and then I had to stop because I couldn’t speak through my emotions.
After more hugs and tears and plenty of biscuits to distract us, I finally let George rest by the comfort of the fire.
That night, after hot chocolate and story time, Collette fought sleep. So, of course, she was chattier than ever. She told me about a boy in her class with two moms.
“I’m lucky because I have two moms too. And a Papa Harrison. And a Papa George,” she said.
I smiled at the ceiling, wondering if love wasn’t scary at all. Love gave your heart added durability so that the more you loved, the stronger you were.
“You have so many people who love you,” I said.
“I will call you Mama and Harrison, Daddy. It would be easier.” She said it so matter-of-factly there was no way she could know how it made my heart soar.
“I would love that. And I really think Harrison would too.”
“Why are you crying?”
I sighed and scrubbed my face with my sleeve. “It’s all I do these days.”
“I’m just glad it’s not in the closet anymore.”
I laughed and said, “Me too.” I distracted her with an “attickle” and eventually got her to sleep.
I met Harrison in the hallway. “Is she out?” he asked tiredly.
“I bet you could still go in there.” I yawned as he enveloped me in a hug, my head dropped to his shoulder.
“I will. She gets very stern with me in the morning if I don’t sing her favorite songs.”
We stood arm in arm. “I’ll meet you in our bedroom. I have so much to catch you up on,” I said.
“I love that,” he sighed, moving the hairs on my head.
“Hmm?”
“Our room,” he said.
“Our room. Our home. Our family.” I leaned back to meet his eyes.
“Music to my ears.” He smiled down before kissing me.
I had just finished brushing my teeth and was getting in bed when he returned.
“Still got it,” he said arrogantly. “Out like a lamp.”
“Speaking of, turn out the light and get to bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.” And I glared to make sure Hank wasn’t coming out. Just before he reached for the switch, his eyebrows shot up. “Wait. I almost forgot.”
He went to his dresser and dug around before coming to hand me something tucked in his hand. “Happy one-year anniversary of meeting,” he said and handed me a little pile of fluff.
I grabbed the once stolen chick and ran a finger over it. “You kept it.”
“I couldn’t get rid of it. Not when it made me think of you.”
