Page 84 of Jaime
“They grow so fast. Look, you put her legs here and she can feel like she’s standing. It will help her build muscles too. And she can play at the same time.”
Jaime was in awe, pressing the buttons and seeing what noises they made. Evie was blown away, reaching for the colorful contraption.
“Why don’t we take this inside?” I suggested.
Jaime nodded, smiling from ear to ear.
“Thank you so much,” he said warmly, “for everything. I really appreciate it.”
They both waved him off.
“We just wanted to help,” Mr. Woo said.
Jaime nodded, a frown clouding his smile.
“I can see that now,” he said. “I’ll still be around a lot with Liz staying here.”
“Okay, tell me next time you’re coming. I’ll make tea.”
“I will,” he promised.
We put the bag into the car, but Jaime lifted the play center and we walked around to the back. It was weird in the best way to come here from our home to visit someone else.
Liz had been delighted by the arrangement. She didn’t need to rely on people’s couches while she figured her life out and the freedom had lifted her spirits considerably.
At Jaime’s knock, she opened the door, immediately ignoring us to gush over the cute lamb onesie Evie was dressed in. I’d seen it in a shop window and hadn’t been able to resist it.
I handed her over, laughing at the way Evie started to giggle.
“Come in!” she said over her shoulder, but Jaime stood in the way for a moment, looking in at the apartment.
After a month of living together in our house, it did look dark and small.
But it had been good for him at the time and now it was good for Liz until she decided otherwise.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
Jaime looked over his shoulder, meeting my gaze.
“It feels like I was seeing everythingwrong,” he said. “I thought Mr. And Mrs. Woo were judging me, when really they just wanted to help and give me stuff for Evie. I thought Liz being here would mean losing my daughter and that couldn’t be further from the truth. I thought being with you could only be temporary and now we’re living together. Now everything looks a lot different.”
“What’s changed?” I asked gently.
“You,” he said softly. “You know I love you, right?”
I knew, but that didn’t mean my heart didn’t swell at his words.
“Put that damn thing down so I can hug you,” I whispered.
Jaime chuckled and quickly placed the play center inside the door.
He turned toward me and we wrapped our arms around each other. I didn’t ever want to let go. Luckily for us, I knew we would have as much time and as many hugs as we ever needed.
We were in this for life.
EPILOGUE
JAIME
