Grak Tetrises the luggage into the car and points at me. “You. May. Talk to each other.”
May smooths down the front of her coat. “Well, I guess this is it. Let me know how those MRI results come back.”
I nod. She places one hand on the handle of the passenger side door. Acting before thinking, I gently grab her arm. “May?”
Looking surprised, she says, “Yeah? What is it, Ginger?”
“Uh…you should send me photos and let me know what’s going on with Ashley and Reese.”
May blinks at me. “I should?”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling softly. “I’m an auntie to two little kids. Not everybody gets to be an aunt. I want to know everything.”
My sister smiles hesitantly. “I thought it might be weird, since you didn’t have kids and now…”
“I’m in love with someone so different from me, he may not be able to give me children. If not, I’m fine with that. But, pleasedon’t let that influence our relationship. Send me lots of updates about the kids. And about you, too.”
May blinks at me and bites her bottom lip. Is she getting emotional? No, not my sister. “I’ll do that,” she says, then lowers her voice conspiratorially so Grak can’t hear. “But don’t be too sure about the idea that he can’t give you babies. I’m shocked that you’re not already pregnant just from the way he looks at you.”
“May!” I shriek a laugh.
She shrugs and gives me one of those smiles that tells me I’ve impressed my big sister. I never thought I needed her approval, but if she likes Grak for me, I’m thrilled.
Finished with loading the luggage, Grak rests a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.
Ashley and Reese run up to the car, but instead of hugging me goodbye, they run straight to Grak.
They both have to crane their necks to meet his eyes with theirs.
Grak arcs an eyebrow and looks down at them. “You both want uppies?”
Their cries of “yes!” have all the adults laughing.
Grak picks them up and gives them a double helicopter ride.
All of us are still laughing when my phone rings.
I pull it out of my pocket and swallow. “It’s Dad,” I say.
He and Mom are at the hospital in Lakewood today.
I answer quickly. “Dad, hi. How’s Mom?”
He clears his throat. “Good, she’s good. We just spoke with the doctor, and we have the results.”
“Already?”
“Yeah.”
I grab May’s hand and place Dad on speaker.
Grak stops doing helicopters with the children and bundles them up in his arms, cradling them close to his chest andshushing them when they protest. “It’s Papa,” he says, his deep voice calming them down. He steps in close enough for me to feel his warmth.
“What did the doctor say, Dad?”
A rare show of emotion comes through as Dad’s voice shakes. “The doctor said she’d never seen anything like this…”
I brace myself against Grak’s hard wall of strength and warmth.
