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“Oh, I remember!” Rory exclaimed happily.
Bethy’s marrow had healed her as my dad’s had done for me. It was two miracles in one lifetime, and I was thankful beyond measure.
“Besides, you have to entertain your grandmas!” Dylan noted. His blue eyes were sparkling. He was as handsome as ever, and I loved him more than I ever thought possible. He took on the roles of father, husband, and provider as if he was made for them. I’d be happy when I could start contributing to the household finances, just as a matter of principle. He never asked or expected it while I was in medical school. Looking at the two of them, I couldn’t have been prouder.
“Right! They will need help picking out their colors!” I added.
When we found out we’d be allowed to adopt Rory, we got married at the justice of the peace at the courthouse in Memphis. Nothing had really changed between us, and I knew that even if I had a massive wedding at Graceland, it wouldn’t have mattered. My little family was perfect. Dylan and I had spoken of having a big wedding and, of course, both of our mothers had been needling for it, but we were happy, and we didn’t feel the need to put pressure on ourselves.
Dylan bent and swooped Rory up in his arms. “Give Daddy a bear hug, little cub!”
Bear hugs were their thing and they both hugged each other tight, and she offered a cute little growl.
“Grrrrrr!” She giggled and he kissed her cheek.
“Be good for Mommy,” Dylan said and set her back down on the bed.
“I will!”
He bent down to place a lingering kiss on my lips. The bent knuckle of one finger ran down the side of my face in a soft caress. Every touch reminiscent of how much he loved and desired me. “I love you,” he said.
“Love you, more.” I reached up and squeezed his hand with mine.
He smiled. “See you later,” he said and then left the room.
“Mommy, can I sleep in Grandpa Bill and Grandma Josie’s room, tonight?” Rory asked.
“Sure, baby. If they say it’s okay.”
“They will!” she piped up and jumped off the bed.
“Okay, let’s get you dressed now. Do you want to wear your pink dress?”
It was her favorite dress that my mother had bought for her, and I remembered to bring it. “Yep!”
“Yep!” I repeated, hugging her. “Okay, go grab it from your suitcase.”
***
“Your fingers and toes look amazing, Rory!” Dylan’s mother, Missy said. Rory and I both had French manicures on our fingers and toes. Missy, my mother, and Josie all had goofy colors on theirs because that’s what happens when grandmas allow a four-year-old to choose your colors. Chase’s mother, Rory’s great Nana, Roma, was the only lucky one because Rory gave her a light mauve.
“I think Grandma T’s fingers are the prettiest!” Rory said of the lavender nails my mother wore.
“I think they’re just beautiful, too!” Mom said. “But Grandma Missy’s are just as beautiful!”
“Yes! I love electric blue!” Missy answered enthusiastically. “It’s too bad we didn’t bring Grampa Jensey so he could get his toenails to match!”
“My neon yellow, trumps yours, Missy!” Josie said.
“It’s like a rainbow!” Rory observed. She loved how smooth they felt and went between us and slid her little fingertips over them.
We all burst out laughing. Lila and Lily also chose French manicure and Rory, wanting to be like her older cousins, who were now fourteen, and me, followed suit.
My mother paid the bill at the salon for everyone, saying it was her treat.
“Mom, that’s so much!” I protested, but she waved it away.
“You only live once, and I think we should all just enjoy our day!”
