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Chapter 37
Izzie
Little hands grip my foot tightly, alarming me just enough that I emerge from a long, restful slumber. I crane my neck and toss my arms high into the air, stretching good and hard.
“Happy Mother’s Day!” my boys say in unison.
A huge smile rests on my face as I turn my head to see Brady carrying a tray, complete with a flower-shaped pancake, orange juice, fresh strawberries, and two daisies in a small vase.
“Happy Mother’s Day, beautiful,” Brady says to me with a grin matching my own.
“Thank you, boys. This looks so excellent! Who made what?” I ask, eager to hear about their morning.
Peering over at my alarm clock, I see that it’s a little after ten in the morning. Gosh, they really spoiled me today! I’m so used to waking up at eight that I’m not even sure how I slept in.
“Mommy, I made the pancake! Daddy helped me stir the batter, but I poured it into the little flower stencil thing on the pan and even flipped it by myself!” Liam says. “And I didn’t make a mess or burn myself,” he adds, bragging.
I look down at my imperfect little masterpiece. I’m almost too proud of it to consume it, but I know it’s very important to Liam for me to eat it and like the taste as much as I like the look.
As I cut a reasonably-sized bite of pancake and bring it to my mouth, I study the tray further to see that there’s a few little nibbles out of the strawberries. I giggle.
“What’s so funny?” Brady says coyly.
“Emerson, did you eat my strawberries?” I say, pretending to be surprised.
He looks back at me with his toothy smiling face and giggles. When he reveals his teeth, I see little strings of strawberry still lingering on them, and I know for sure he’s the little culprit. I let out a chuckle.
My laughter proves to be infectious, all three of my boys chiming in. We are a laughing, smiling, silly family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Mom, what do you think of your pancake? Is it delicious?” Liam asks once we’re all simmered down.
“Oh my gosh, Liam. Yes! How did you learn to be such an awesome cook? I might just have you start making dinner for everyone!” I reply.
“Alright, boys. Let’s not forget the most important part! Go, go, go!” Brady says, all of them piling up at the door to get out of the room.
What in the world?
I wait for just a moment before I see feet back in my doorway as I finish my pancake.
I lay my fork down onto the tray and pick up my orange juice. Fresh-squeezed.Fancy.
As I take a generous gulp of my beverage, I peer over to my night stand. I study the picture of Lucy and me that once laid face-down in my office at the Ranger’s stadium.
God, Lucy. I can’t even begin to express how much I miss your beautiful, smiling face.
I wish you were here to see how Liam’s grown or how your nephew is turning into his own little person. I would kill for you to be able to meet him just once.
I need to thank you. You’re the reason I got to be a mom. I would have been so lost with Emerson had I not been Liam’s parent all this time.
While I can’t have you, I get to see you every day in that boy. It’s honestly how I get through the day sometimes.
And if it wasn’t for you, I would have never known Brady. Look at it all now. He’s a fantastic dad, a wonderful husband, and my best friend.
And it’s all because of you.
I love you, Lucy. Happy Mother’s Day, sis.
I take a deep sigh and set my juice back down on the tray. Just as I do, I hear little feet scampering back toward my room.
