Page 85 of Single Dad's Christmas Cookie

“Okay, that’s a no to this dress,” I muttered as I put it back in the closet. I looked at the pile of clothes I had laid out. “I think you’re all set. Come help me.”

I held my hand out, and she skipped along as we went to my room, the room I shared with Bryan. It was still so fresh and new, and kind of weird, to live in such a wonderful place with such a wonderful man.

We repeated the process. I packed and pulled clothes from the racks in the closet. Only instead of sitting on the bed, because my closet was a room in itself, Amelia sat on the large ottoman in the middle of everything.

“There you are,” Bryan said when he came into the closet. “I was looking for you.”

“You said to pack,” I reminded him.

“I did. We’re all set to leave in the morning. I’ve booked rooms at the Four Seasons in Atlanta so we aren’t imposing on your parents after we show up unannounced.”

“Good planning. You’re so good to me. I can’t believe you’re just taking me to see my parents.” I threw my arms around him, kissed him, and proceeded to hug him tightly.

“I’d do anything for you. I love you.”

“I love you too.” I kissed him again.

38

EPILOGUE: BRYAN

Six months later…

Amelia and I waited by the SUV in front of Wentworth Academy. The students had been dismissed a few days earlier, but the teachers had to complete a few end of year tasks. I glanced at my watch. Nova had said noon. It was half past.

“When is she gonna be done?” Amelia whined. She held my hand as I leaned against the car. The bouquet of flowers I had stood there holding for at least ten minutes were now lying on the passenger seat.

“I don’t know, sweetheart. Soon.”

The teachers began leaving. I stood up and pulled the flowers out of the car. At first there were only one or two, and then a mass of them left the building all at once.

“Did you see her?” I asked.

“No, where is she?”

And then, like a breath of fresh air, Nova appeared. She had a tote bag in one hand and was dancing her way out of thebuilding. When she saw us, she raised her arms over her head and cheered before running to us. Amelia met her halfway, and they hugged.

I stayed put, holding the flowers. I swept Nova into a one-armed embrace and kissed her as soon as she was close enough.

“You seem rather pleased with yourself,” I said.

“I am so done with that place. Oh, are these for me?” She took the flowers and buried her face into the blooms. “They smell so good!”

“Happy for the school year to be over?”

“As happy, if not happier than, the kids. I am ready for the next chapter of my life,” she said.

“Oh, yeah, and what’s that?” I teased, knowing full well what Nova was referring to.

“Daddy!” Amelia chastised me, mortified.

As if I could forget.

“I can’t believe the wedding is in two weeks. Two weeks, Bryan! I have a million things to get done between now and then.”

“Good thing your mother is arriving in another day,” I said.

“More things to worry about,” Nova said.

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