Page 14 of Always Been Yours

I take another deep breath, starting to panic. Was this a huge mistake? Am I complicating the girls’ lives too much too soon? Are they going to grow attached to this magnetic family only to be let down when they aren’t around more than a couple times a year?

“Can we go inside? Please?” Daisy starts to whine, getting antsy in her car seat.

I nod but look back at Stella. “We are coming to dinner tonight because your grandparents asked us to. Because they want to spend time with you. And because Bonnie is your gramma’s closest friend to the point that she was basically my second mother. Bonnie’s amazing and I know she really wants to meet you.”

She glances between the front door then me. Nodding, she starts to unbuckle herself.

“It’s going to be so fun!” Daisy singsongs, skipping up the stairs.

I’m not at all ashamed to admit that I used my youngest daughter as a buffer when I stepped into my parents’ house. There weren’t any other cars in the driveway but they most likely will park at Bonnie’s. Our houses are neighbors, with the Davies’ house directly behind us on the next street up. When I was eight, my dad installed a gate between our backyards, and I know our moms still use it.

It’s been over a decade since I had to attend a meal with the Davies family. The anniversary party doesn’t really count. It wasn’t a small event. It didn’t feelintimatelike this. It didn’t remind me of Christmas mornings and countless birthdays spent with just our two families.

I can hear Daisy squealing in delight from somewhere in the house when Stella pulls my sleeve, stopping me at the front door.

When I look down at her, she pouts up at me. Her face is saying,do wereallyhave to do this?

I know that she liked Vivi, even if she isn’t as vocal about it as Daisy is. I know she’s scared, though, so I grab her hand in mine and walk toward the kitchen with her.

To both of our delights, only three people—not including my daughter—are in the kitchen. My dad is holding Daisy and spinning around the kitchen to the music. He used to do the same thing with Blake and I, and I don’t doubt that he’s danced with all of her kids many times now. My mom is cutting vegetables on the island. Her brown hair and tan complexion are the same shades as mine, but her eyes are a sharp gray. Blake got that from her, but she hasour dad’s fair skin and black hair.

Sitting across from my mom is a familiar face—strawberry blonde hair, light brown eyes, oval face with high cheekbones, and the warmest smile I’ve ever seen. Bonnie looks exactly the same as the last time I saw her, which was around four years ago now. There are a few more lines around her mouth and eyes, but she has always been beautiful.

“Hola, nena.“ My mom makes her way to pull Stella into a hug. Her little arms wrap around my mom’s neck as she places a soft kiss on her cheek. When we first moved back, Stella asked if my mom and sister would teach her Spanish and she’s picking it up much better than I could’ve ever dreamed of.

“Hola, Abuela,“ she says in a near whisper. Quietly, her and my mom talk to each other and after a few seconds, Stella starts to giggle at something she says.

Bonnie steps off the chair and kneels down beside them. “Hi, are you Stella?” She gives my daughter her biggest smile, but I can see the emotions in her eyes.

Stella nods once, clinging closer to my mom.

“I’m Bonnie. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Stella tentatively sticks her hand out in front of her, and Bonnie gives her a small handshake.

“And I already met Daisy,” Bonnie smiles over her shoulder at my dad and Daisy. She moves toward me with open arms. “Come here right now.”

I wrap Bonnie into a hug, ignoring the tight feeling in my chest. She was collateral damage when I started avoiding Amada Beach and visiting my family less. It’s on the list of things I feel guilty about toward the end of my marriage—right alongside hardly seeing my parents, putting off Blake’s visits, and not telling anyone about the divorce until it was practically finalized.

My distance never stopped Bonnie from reaching out, calling every birthday, and sending a card each Christmas. She still makes all four of her kids dress up in matching sweaters and take a photo on her front porch.

“Stell, wanna learn how to grill?” My dad grabs the tray of steaks, corn, and jalapeno peppers. “Daisy is going to help too.”

Stella gives me a small smile and I lightly ruffle her hair. “Go on, it’ll be fun.”

I, personally, hate grilling, but she’ll enjoy the time with him.

She skips out back, falling into a silly conversation with Daisy. Something about the animal hospital they were running in Stella’s bedroom before we left for dinner. Daisy is listening closely and nodding to whatever Stella is saying about Princess Pumpkin Pie.

Once they turn the corner, Bonnie pulls my attention back to the room. “They’re beautiful, Grady.” A tear slips out, but she quickly bats it away.

“Aw, come here, Bon.” I put my arm around her shoulder. I make it a point to not look at the tears building in my mom’s eyes now or I’ll be done for. “I’m sorry this is the first time you’re meeting them. It was long overdue.”

Bonnie leans into the hug for too short of a moment. “No need to apologize. Just promise that you will bring them around more. There are no excuses now.” I nod. Her hand lifts to softly pat my cheek. “I’m happy you’re home, Grady.”

The girls, the last I checked, are inside sitting on the island eating fruit salad out of the bowl. I can hear my mom and Bonniesinging along to ABBA while they cut vegetables and make sangrias.

It’s a sight I grew up seeing almost every Sunday, but it feels like the first time all over again. I can add this to the list of things I missed without even realizing how much.

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