Page 111 of Finding Us

“What was your favorite ride at Disney?” I ask her.

“The teacups!” She yells it. “I went on it a whole bunch of times.”

“After I got sick, Brian had to go with her,” Pearce explains. “And if you think I look funny sitting in a teacup, you should’ve seen Brian.”

“He’s like 6’8, 300 pounds,” Garret tells Sean.

The party continues with dinner and cake and the present opening. Garret and I gave Lilly a doll she’s been wanting. Harper gave her a kid’s nail polish kit that I’m sure Katherine will toss in the trash as soon as she sees it. Grace gave her an art kit full of a million different types and colors of crayons and markers.

It feels like a normal kid’s birthday party. Well, without the other kids.

The next morning, Pearce and Lilly pack up to go home. We meet them out by the car to say goodbye. Pearce asked us to make it a quick goodbye so Lilly doesn’t feel like she’ll never see us again.

“See you later, Lilly,” I tell her. It’s my preferred way of saying goodbye.

She gives me a funny look when I don’t say goodbye, but then she smiles and says, “See you later.”

Garret tries the short ‘see you later’ goodbye but it doesn’t work as well for him. Lilly hugs him and won’t let go.

“When will you come home?” she asks him.

“I don’t know yet, but it won’t be too long.”

“Can I stay here with you?”

“No, you need to go home and take care of your dolls and practice swimming.”

“I’ll miss you.” She whispers it as tears run down her cheeks.

“I’ll miss you, too, but I’ll see you soon, okay?” Garret looks at his dad.

“Come on, honey.” Pearce takes Lilly from Garret. “You can call him as soon as we get home.”

He puts her in the car but she keeps her eyes on Garret until they drive away.

“That was really sad,” I say, wiping my eyes.

“She’ll be okay.” Garret puts his arm around me as we walk back to the house. “Once she starts hanging out with kids her own age, she’ll forget all about me.”

“I don’t think so. She’s really upset that you’re gone. I wish I could do something to make her feel better.”

He stops walking and his arms circle my waist. “You already did. That party was a great idea. She had a really good time.”

“The party was Harper’s idea, not mine.”

“Yes, but you came up with the fairy theme, which Lilly loved. And she loved seeing her big sister all covered in glitter.”

“Look.” I laugh as I hold up my arm. “I’m still covered in it. It’ll probably take weeks before I’m glitter-free.”

“I could help you get it off. I know how you like the shower.” He leans down and gives me a slow, deep kiss, then pulls back just a little. “You do realize that our honeymoon got cut short because of this party. I’m thinking we need to finish it when we get back on Monday.”

“That would mean you’d have to go another three days without surfing.”

“I don’t care.” His lips touch mine for another kiss that gets my insides all hot. “I want to spend more time with my wife. You got a problem with that?”

“Not at all.” I kiss him back. “Maybe we’ll actually try for eight times.”

He laughs. “Are you serious? Because that’s a lot for one day.”

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