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My phone dinged at the right time, allowing me to remove myself from their little tussle. Milo and Madeline didn’t fight. They bickered. Over the stupidest things. And it never lasted long. My bet was they would be high-fiving the victory over the seating chart in five minutes, and then it would be forgotten about.
Swiping down the notifications, I saw the text from Elliot. I let out a small sigh. A part of me, a very large part of me, always wished that with every chime it was Ophelia. She hadn’t responded to me, and I hadn’t heard from her since she left the other day. Two long days of not talking to her, not seeing her. Two long days of missing her. How did I ever go ten years without her?
Elliot: I have some more paperwork for you to fill out. Honestly, I’m probably more excited about this than you are. Can you come by tonight?
I chuckled and responded:Yeah, I can come by around 4, does that work? What kind of paperwork?
Elliot: New contract and final paycheck. Nothing too big.
The wordsfinal paycheckstung. I had only worked with Elliot for a little over a month and all the money I had earned, which I’ll be honest, was a decent chunk, went straight to Milo. Milo insisted it wasn’t needed, but I was adamant about paying him back every penny. This paycheck was no different.
I had a plan coming in motion, and I only needed one final piece to complete it. I just needed to talk to that piece first.
A horn from outside grabbed my attention. I draped my arm around the back of the couch and glanced out the window just in time to see a very excited Holly jump—literally jump—from the back seat and bound up to the front door. A seemingly very tired Hannah climbed from the front seat and shook her head, heading toward the trunk to retrieve Holly’s suitcase.
“Hey,” I called, standing up from the couch. “Milo, you have a guest.”
Milo stopped mid-sentence and furrowed his brow. His quizzical look only lasted seconds when he saw Hannah out front. He dropped his phone on the counter and bolted toward the front door. Swinging it open, he greeted Holly with open arms, lifting her as she shouted “Daddy” over and over. Madeline quickly joined them at the door and gave Holly a sweet side hug, kissing her temple.
“Holly, I’ve missed you! I need to hear everything; you were never detailed enough on the phone calls, and you didn't send enough pictures.” Milo said into her hair.
I smiled, taking a few steps away to give them a reunion.
“Daddy, it was so cool! Scotland was amazing, my favorite place ever. We have to move there one day.” Holly shouted.
“Holly, honey.” Hannah’s breathless voice came into the room. “I told you. . .”
“We’ll definitely move to Scotland one day.” Milo finished. “Hey Hannah,” he chuckled as he pulled her into a side hug. She accepted his embrace and rolled her eyes.
“Please don't give her any ideas,” she mumbled. “Hey, Clay.” she smiled at me. “You’re looking good.”
“Uncle Clay is here!? Mommy!!” Holly shouted, leaping from Milo’s arms. “Did you bring in my bag? I need to give Uncle Clay my present.”
“Yes, honey. It’s on top of your suitcase.” Hannah shut the front door and nodded toward the living room. Madeline followed her, a look of pure happiness on her face. “I’m sorry Maddy, but she insisted on magnets. I tried to have her get other things but—”
“It’s okay.” Madeline smiled. “I keep all the ones from Holly at work. They make me smile.”
I leaned against the kitchen island, enjoying the three of them settling as Hannah began to tell them about Holly’s adventure around the globe. Milo draped his arm around Madeline, and the three of them talked like old friends. Their co-parenting from different states had worked out wonderfully, and I couldn’t believe I had ever questioned it.
“Uncle Clay.” Holly appeared in front of me.
I smiled down at her. “Hey Holly-Wood.” I rubbed my hand on the top of her head, her brushed brown hair now a mess. “How was your trip?”
“It was great, Uncle Clay. I wish you could have seen it.” She smiled, then she raised her arms and in her hands was a small item wrapped in tissue paper. “I tried to find you something while we were gone, but this was the only thing I wanted to give you. Mommy says it's kinda weird because it’s from the airport, but I knew you’d love it.”
She extended her arms and handed me the tissue paper. I raised a single brow at her and took the gift, unwrapping it carefully. Inside was a simple shot glass with the New York City skyline etched around it. My heart jerked. How did this little girl know exactly what I needed to see?
I finally looked up at her with a smile. “I do love this, thank you Holly, really.”
“She wanted to buy that thing the day we left when we landed at JFK.” Hannah came up behind her. Holly gave me a quick hug and then turned back to Milo and Madeline. “I told her there would be so many other shot glasses around, and how did we even know you used shot glasses, but she refused. Bought thirty-seven magnets for her dad and Maddy, but she only wanted you to get that shot glass.” She leaned against the island and looked up at me.
Hannah and I got along fine when she was with Milo, but to her, I was just the friend that came with the husband. She was a different person than what I remembered. Mom of four beautiful kids, a kind and loving personality. Even after seeing the worst side of her, I could still see the genuine person she truly was.
“I love it, really.” I held it up, twisting it with my fingers to see the skyline, before setting it down on the counter.
“You look good, Clay,” she said softly.
“Sorry I never really got to say goodbye. I’m glad you had a great trip.”
