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Grams found Gigi, Zoey’s grandmother, and the two of them are now lost in typical conversation. I stand in the very place she left me watching the girls zig zag around the yard having the time of their life.
Riley is the first one to see me, as she pauses and slowly, I see her eyes widen. Then just as she had been moments ago, she takes off running only this time, straight for me. Regan hurries behind her carrying one single pink balloon and right as they reach me I lower myself to one knee. “Hello, princess.” I bow my head at Riley first and then Regan, repeating princess once more.
“You forgot your crown.” Riley seems disappointed while looking at the top of my head.
“Of course not.” I reach inside my blazer and pull out the simple men’s crown I got for myself when I ordered their gifts. When I place it atop my head, Riley beams up at me. “And these are for the two of you.”
I hold out the two small bags, and they each take one and peer inside.
Riley’s loud squeal tells me she is please just before she digs out her princess crown and holds in high spinning in a circle.
Regan is still staring in her bag, so I wait for her to make her move. I haven’t figured her out yet. She is much quieter than Riley. She’s shy, or is so around me, and the last thing I want is for her to fear me.
Riley takes off running, screaming for her momma and I am left alone with a still hesitant Regan.
“Do you like it?” I ask in a low steady tone so I don’t spook her. “It matches your sisters, but yours has pink jewels and Riley’s has purple. You like pink right?”
She nods her head.
“Do you want to put it on?”
Again she nods as she sets the bag on the ground and then reaches inside. Slowly she removes the crown like it’s made of glass and I smile with how delicate she is being.
“Do you need help?”
“Uh huh,” Regan holds it out for me to take and then leans her head in closer. Carefully I lower it to her head and make sure the little combs meant to hold it in place don’t poke her in the head. When it’s secure, she stands tall once more and her smile is radiant.
“Just like a princess,” I tell her and before I have a minute to register her movements, she is throwing herself forward and wrapping her arms around my neck.
I’m shocked, but accept her hug, and offering the same in return. Looking up I see Zoey across the yard, holding Riley’s hand and her eyes are locked on mine.
sixteen
. . .
Zoey
“If I still had my ovaries, I think they would explode,” Aunt Sarah says much too loud to my right. On any other given day I would roll my eyes and tell her to behave but I knew what she was talking about.
Regan, my sweet shy little girl was hugging a man she barely knew. She is very standoffish when it comes to men, besides my father, she forms attachments to women.
But somehow Jayson had gotten to her and she was suddenly in awe of him.
“Wow.” This time it’s my mother and I break eye contact with Jay to look over and find she is watching the same thing. “If that isn’t the sweetest thing I’ve seen all day. Is he wearing a crown?”
“Yes,” I tell her and my heart races when I remember the conversations he’s had with Riley about only wearing his crown to parties. He literally bought himself a crown.
Hand in hand, Regan and Jay start toward us and I’ll admit seeing him with her did paint a pretty picture. A strong, successful man, one who doesn’t spend his days drinking his way into a drunken stupor by two in the afternoon every day.
I clear my thoughts when Regan releases his hand and runs toward me.
“Look!” She dips her chin to show me her crown like I couldn’t already see it clearly.
“Wow, that’s so pretty.” It wasn’t exactly those little cheesy crowns you can buy as a party favor in the decoration aisle, more sturdy and much more detailed. He put some thought into them for sure.
At this distance I can get a better view of his and the red ruby jewels at the base stand out against his dark hair.
“You like?” he asks noticing me admiring it. “It’s a party and a prince should always wear his crown.”
