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"Ten more minutes," I tell Brianna as I give her a push.
Ava jumps in front of the swing and pretends to duck out of the way just in time to miss getting kicked in the head by her niece. Brianna squeals and laughs.
I breathe deeply as the cold breeze wafts through the park. On the outside, Ava's life looks picture-perfect. On the inside, she's struggling with her own issues.
Nobody's life is perfect. Not even people who seem to have it all.
—
Brady's standing in the doorway as I hurry down the stairs. He's ten minutes early.Shit.
"How's it going, Brady?" Dad asks as he holds his hand out.
"Good," Brady answers as he shakes Dad's hand. "How are you?"
"I'm alright," Dad answers. "Why don't you come in—"
"Can't," I step around Dad and twist to face him. "We have to be on the road if we're going to make it in time."
Dad scratches the back of his neck. "So, you'll be home Sunday afternoon?"
"Yep," I nod as Brady grabs my suitcase and garment bag.
"Two nights?" Dad narrows his brown eyes.
"Yep," I smile. "We have a luncheon at 11 tomorrow morning. Gala is at 7."
Brady disappears with my things as I widen my eyes at Dad. "Is there a problem?"
Dad shakes his head as Brianna skips over to us from the kitchen. "Nope."
"Really?" That's very unlike Matt Thompson.
"Well," Dad clears his throat when Brady reappears, "you two better hit the road. Supposed to snow tonight."
"Love you, Dad," I say to him as I reach for Brianna. I pick her up and hug her tight. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too," she frowns. "Will you bring me back a toy?"
"Of course," I promise. "And we will video chat and I'll send you pictures of my dress."
"I wish I could go," she pouts.
"Next time," I squeeze her.
"Grandma and Grampa are taking me on a date," Brianna tells me as she plays with my hair. "We're getting dinner then ice cream!"
"That sounds like a lot of fun," I say before kissing her forehead.
"I love you, Mommy."
"I love you more," I smile.
"Don't forget my present," Brianna raises her eyebrows at me as I pass her off to Dad.
"I won't," I laugh as she waves goodbye to us.
Brady's hand finds my back and I wonder what Dad's really thinking. He didn't say much, which is odd for him. Maybe it's not odd. Maybe it's progress.
