We’ve just picked his truck up from the parking lot at the airport and are making the forty-five-minute drive back to Harlington.
Micah and Jodi, and Ace and Savannah, and their families are in the two cars behind us. Gabriel, Lena, and their children flew to New York for a couple of days before returning to spend the next month in Texas.
I have to admit, though the weekend with Joel’s entire family started off awkward, it turned out to be pretty great.
His grandkids are as adorable as he’s said they are, and it’s evident how deeply all of his children and their wives love Joel. Additionally, not once did they make me feel out of place for being there.
We played multiple board games, made s’mores around the outside fire pit at the back of the house, went snowmobiling again, and even did a little bit of skiing at a local resort.
All in all, it was great.
“I can turn this truck around and book another flight.” Joel takes my hand in his and brings it to his lips.
I laugh. “We can’t do that. Besides, Meghan’s coming back in a couple of days. I probably should be here when she returns.”
“What about Shanice? Are you still planning to visit her after the new year?”
I push out a heavy sigh. During one of the short conversations I had with Shanice a few weeks ago, she mentioned wanting to visit Texas for the holidays. Though I told her she and her family were more than welcome, she abruptly changed her mind.
When I mentioned that I could make plans to visit Atlanta, and I wouldn’t need to stay with her, she sounded distant. As if she wasn’t quite sure.
“I’m considering it. While spending time with your grandkids was great, it really made me come to terms with how much I miss Shanice and my grandbabies.” Sadness washes over me.
While the move from Atlanta to Harlington had been relatively easy and seamless, the only regret is the distance from my girls. Especially Shanice and her kids.
Meghan being at school up north and likely to remain there after graduating, was somewhat of an issue due to distance, but I love that she is so independent and she has no problem hopping on a plane to come visit even for just a weekend.
Shanice is a different story. With kids it’s not always easy to plan a spur-of-the-moment trip to see grandma.
“Would you want to come?” I ask Joel, the question surprising the both of us.
His eyebrows raise. “Would you want me to come?”
“Of course. You’ve already met Meghan. I would love for you to meet Shanice and my grandkids.”
It only felt right after spending the past few days with his family. I want my kids to know Joel. To know that I’m in love.
“Just name the date, and I’ll start booking our flights and hotel stay,” he says before bringing my hand to his lips again.
Throughout the remainder of the drive we laugh as we talk about this past weekend. Joel’s still a little salty over having lost a game of Pictionary.
We paired up in teams for the game, and he swears Parker, who was my partner, and I cheated.
“Don’t be a sore loser,” I tell him. “What type of example does that set for Parker?”
“What type of example does cheating set for her?” he insists.
I can’t help but to cackle at his incredulity.
The next fifteen minutes we go back and forth over who’s allowed to pick the teams for whatever board game we play next time. My heart is truly full as I think about spending another weekend with Joel up in Montana.
“Are you expecting a guest?” Joel asks as we approach my home.
There’s an unfamiliar sedan parked outside of my house, not in the driveway. As we get closer, I can see two figures standing on my porch. However, it’s not until Joel pulls into my driveway and I see the porch’s sensory light illuminating the figures that I realize it’s not two … there’s three people on my porch.
And I know exactly who they are.
“Shanice?” I call out, for the first time not waiting for Joel to open the door for me.
