Page 58 of Second Dance
“Bella will come around. You just have to be patient with her.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“What was my dad like back then? When you two were together.” Peter leaned forward slightly.
“He was very serious about his studies. Yet, he was fun too. We knew back then that our time together had a shelf-life. It made everything even more special, knowing it would soon be gone. Does that make sense?”
“It does, yeah. I got to say some things to my mom I wouldn’t have otherwise—you know, if I hadn’t known I had to say goodbye soon.”
“That’s a blessing. I’d have loved to be able to say some things to my sister,” I said. “She sacrificed a lot for me. I wish I could tell her thank you.”
“You’ve sacrificed a lot too,” Peter said. “Taking Grace into your life like you did.”
I smiled slowly, my gaze drifting up toward the darkening sky, the first stars of the night twinkling at me. “As you know, there’s nothing more important than stepping up when it’s required of you and embracing whatever comes your way with an open heart.”
“Why do you think I know that?” Peter asked.
“It’s obvious to me—how you’ve stepped up to be there for your dad and sister. You take care of both of them.”
He looked at me with a surprised glint in his eyes. “You can see that?”
“Very clearly.”
He smiled, scratching the back of his neck, looking slightly embarrassed. “I try to be there for them, but sometimes I’m not sure what they need.”
“They just need you to be there. That’s enough.”
Alex returned, bringing a plate of brownies with him. He looked at me, then Peter. “Everything good?”
“Yeah, Dad. All good here. You?”
Alex placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “All good here too.”
Peter stood, taking his plate in hand. “I think I’ll get my swimsuit on and join the girls.” He nodded toward me. “Thanks for the talk. It was nice.”
“I enjoyed it too,” I said.
Once he was inside, Alex drew me to my feet and brushed his lips over mine. “What was that all about?”
“Nothing really. Peter and I were having a little moment,” I said. “He’s special. Soulful.”
Alex grinned. “He sure is.” He drew closer, whispering in my ear. “Let’s go inside and let the kids have the patio. Maybe make out on the couch?”
“Lead the way.”
And so he did.
On the drive home, Grace chattered away about how pretty the house was and Bella’s room was totally sick and the movie room in the basement was to die for and the hot tub was the perfect temperature. When she finally took a breath, I said, “I’m glad you had a good time.”
“Mom, do you think we’d be happy if we were all a family?”
“It’s too soon to think about now,” I said.
“Why?”
“Because we only just started dating.”
“Yeah, but you know each other already,” Grace said. “So that makes everything faster, right?”
