AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Why did this feel so natural? As though Caroline had always been a part of Edie’s life? Should it feel that way, or was she allowing too much emotion to take over?
She wanted to question it in her own head, but Edie looked up at her and smiled. “Love you.”
Oh, wow. Caroline hadn’t known those words could bring so much emotion to the surface, but they did. God, they made her feel a way she’d never felt before.
“I do, Caz. And if it’s okay with you, I’d like to call you Mum from now on. Because really, you are. You look after me, and keep me safe, and make sure I’m okay. That’s the sort of thing a mum does.”
Caroline sniffled, holding Edie close. She’d always known she wanted to be a mum, that was never a secret, but it hadn’t seemed possible over the years. It wasn’t even about carrying a child for her; it was about being a part of something special and meaningful. Someone that she would die for should it ever be required of her. Edie was that someone.
“Of course it’s okay. But you have to speak to your mum and dad about it first. Yvonne, too.”
Edie pulled back, shrugging. “I…wantyouto be my other mum. That doesn’t mean Yvonne isn’t like a mum to me, but she doesn’t cook dinner for me almost every night through the week or make sure I have a freshly ironed school uniform each morning. But you do those things for me.”
Caroline felt Hannah press a hand to her shoulder, reminding Caroline that she was close by if she needed her. “Well, if it’s okay with them, it’s okay with me.”
“Mum, I can call Caz my mum, can’t I?”
Hannah tried to bite back a sob but failed. “Y-yes.”
“Why are you crying? Don’t you want me to? I don’t love you any less, I just…love Caz too.”
“Oh, love. I know you love me. I’m just…happy. That’s all. Happy tears.”
Edie nodded, taking Caroline’s hand, then Hannah’s. “I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”
Edie really had to stop being so open and honest. Caroline would need a share in Kleenex otherwise.
“I think we have the pumpkins we need now. Can we go home?”
Hannah laughed. “Yes, ma’am. If you’re done.”
Edie lifted the wheelbarrow, struggling through the dried mud to get it moving. But Caroline remembered what Edie had told her a few minutes ago and smiled. “Hey, Edie?”
Edie dropped the wheelbarrow and turned. “Y-yeah?”
“I love you, too.”
