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“If anything,” Noah adds, “I’m sure they’re up there raining down extra blessings for you both, thankful you’re helping.”
“Then what is it, honey?” Lisa’s eyes are so kind and concerned that for the first time in as long as I can remember, my own eyes well with tears.
I can’t remember the last time I cried, but a tear slips out now, and when I speak, it’s barely more than a whisper. “I don’t deserve this.”
“Oh, Paige.” She pulls me into her arms. “You do. You are worthy.”
“That’s the intervention, Paige,” Noah says. “You deserve this. You deserve our love and support just because you’re you.”
Bill pulls me out of Lisa’s arms to wrap me in his. “You don’t have to prove anything to us. You don’t have to earn it from us. We told you, you’re our kid until your mom and dad can take over again. And we’ll say it as many times as we have to until you believe us.”
I press my face into his shoulder, his flannel soaking up more hot tears.
“I love you,” he says. It makes the tears fall faster.
“I love you,” Lisa says, hugging me from behind.
“I love you most!” Evie shouts, barreling into all of us.
“I think you’re okay,” Noah calls from the iPad, which is now abandoned and pointed at the ceiling.
For some reason, that’s what gets the sob out of me, and Lisa hugs me tighter.
“Evie, come rescue me,” Noah calls. “Bring me to your mom.”
Evie lets go and fetches the iPad.
“Hold me so I can see her, favorite niece,” Noah says. Evie does as directed, and I turn my head on Bill’s shoulder enough to meet Noah’s eyes. “Paige, repeat after me. I am worthy.”
I take a deep breath and straighten. “I am worthy.”
“I am deserving.”
“I am deserving.”
“You are, Mama,” Evie cheers.
“I am loved,” Noah coaxes.
“I am loved.”
Bill and Lisa crush me, and I laugh.
“I will let people help more,” Noah continues.
I don’t say anything.
“Paige . . .” He prompts. “Say it. I will let people help me more.”
“I guess it works in the Balkans.”
Noah looks at me like I said it in a Baltic language. “What?”
“Nothing.” I consider what Henry said about the well-adjusted kids. “I will . . . try.”
Lisa laughs. “We’ll take it.”
“But I really have to help Cindy at the diner tomorrow. She’s down a few people because of the flu, but I promise it will only be until they’re back.”
