Page 15 of A Forever Home
Della noticed the moment he saw the dog in her arms.
His feet slowed, and his mouth dropped open. “A dog? Is that our dog?” he asked hopefully.
Justin clapped his hands. “Are we getting a dog?”
Della laughed. “It’s a she. And she’s getting us for Christmas too. Win-win, I think.” Della looked past her boys to see Jerome and Sofia heading toward her. She smiled politely.
“I’m glad you made it,” Jerome said.
Della nodded. “It was iffy for a moment there, but I’m glad I made it too. I wouldn’t miss my boys’ recital for the world.” Or for a mysterious and handsome stranger she’d felt an unexpected connection with today.
“So I guess the boys will be riding home with you?” he asked.
That was the original arrangement. Della would be keeping the boys until Christmas night. Then Jerome would have his turn with them again.
“Actually, I don’t have a car at the moment. Long story. Do you think you can give us all a ride home?” she asked.
Jerome looked over from her to their boys and the dog in their arms. Then he looked back at Della. “Of course. We’re parked over there.” He pointed at the large SUV in the far lot.
Della and the boys followed him, and they all climbed inside. The boys were chattering excitedly about the dog and their performance.
“Did we do a great job, Mom?”
Della nodded. “Oh, yes. You two were amazing.”
Justin grinned ear to ear over her compliment.
It took ten minutes to make it home. When Jerome pulled into her driveway, Della helped the boys and dog get out. They waved goodbye to their dad and Sofia. Then Della pointed toward the house. “Go wait for me on the porch. I want to talk to your dad for a minute.”
The boys dutifully raced ahead with Jingle Bell at their heels.
Once they were out of earshot, Della headed to Jerome’s window. She was still thinking about Roman and his family. It was best for families to work through their differences sooner than later. Time could drive a wedge, and Della didn’t want that for herself, her boys, or for Jerome and his new wife. No matter what their family looked like, they were still a family.
Della leaned inside his open window. “If we’re going to continue to be good parents to the boys, we need to be on the same page. There can’t be secrets, lies, or even just awkwardness.”
The skin between Jerome’s eyes pinched softly. “I agree, and I want that too. More than anything, I want for us to be friends, Della.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to be friends yet. But friendly is a good starting place,” Della said, looking past him to Sofia. She was going to be in the boys’ lives whether Della wanted her to be or not. They needed to be able to talk and work toward providing them with the happy family they deserved. “So,” she said, taking a breath and looking at Jerome, “Christmas breakfast is at eight. I know it’s early, but the boys wake at six on Christmas day.”
Jerome chuckled. “Oh, I know.”
“If you want to come, you’re welcome to,” Della added. “You and Sofia, of course,” she said, looking past him to Jerome’s new wife. “I know the kids would enjoy having all of their family there.”
Jerome’s eyes narrowed. “Really?”
“It’s Christmas, and more importantly, it’s family. They can show you their presents, and we’ll have breakfast together. And then lunch if you’re still around.”
Jerome cleared his throat, looking emotional for a moment. “Thank you, Della. That would mean a lot to me.”
“The more the merrier, right?” That’s what they always used to say. She had just never thought it would apply to Jerome’s new wife. Della didn’t want him back. She was over him, and for the most part, she was also over what he’d done to her. Now all she wanted was to provide a stable family environment for her boys to grow up in.
She said goodbye to Jerome and Sofia, feeling good about the conversation she’d just had as she went inside to get acquainted with their new dog. That involved a bath, a bowl of chicken she cooked up, and water. By the time they were done, Jingle Bell looked and acted like a brand-new dog.
“Tomorrow, we’ll go get her a bed and some toys,” Della said. “For tonight, I’ll make her an area with some old blankets.”
“Can she sleep in our room?” the boys wanted to know.
“Not just yet,” Della told them. “While she’s getting settled in, it’s probably best that she sleeps where I am.”
