To be honest, I’d thought about that. Aunt Sassy lives in an apartment, so I couldn’t just show up with a screaming toddler at midnight and make enemies with all her neighbors.
And then, of course, I thought about Vito. But I know he’s back on shift tomorrow, and there was no way I was going to wake up his parents and mess up his sleep schedule.
“I managed,” I say quietly.
“Eden. Baby.” Sassy grabs my hands and holds them tightly in hers. “I want you to hear me when I say this.” She presses her hot-pink lips together, the fine lines around her mouth deepening as she frowns. “You are family, Eden. Flesh and blood. You are not alone. I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night and I have a hot guy in my bed. You knock on that door, and you ask for help.”
She shakes her head and blinks fast, sniffling like she might cry. “I was never able to be there when you were a girl. When you could have used someone close by.” She releases my hands and clutches her hands in front of her chest. “I wanted to, Eden. I wanted to be there for you. Please let me do that now. Let me be there for you, sweetheart.”
The tears are flowing before she even finishes speaking. I need time to accept that I am not alone anymore. That there are people who don’t just want to be part of my life; there are people who would willingly shoulder my burdens.
“Auntie,” I say, trying to force a half smile as I wipe my nose with the back of my hand. “A hot guy? Is there something we should talk about?”
My aunt snorts. “That ship’s sailed, sweetheart, but you get my point.”
I wrap an arm around her shoulder and point toward the door. “Let’s get inside. I’ve got to get presentable before the closing.”
I reach for the doorknob and realize the hotel door locked behind us. I pat my back pocket for my keycard, but I don’t feel it.
“Oh, sweet baby Jesus,” I sigh. I listen for screaming from inside the room, but it’s quiet. “I think I left my keycard inside with Juniper.”
“Oh, holy mother.” Sassy looks terrified and starts tearing through her purse for her phone. “Should I call 9-1-1? Should we break the window?” She starts looking around, and I hope like hell she’s not about to pick up a rock.
“Auntie,” I say calmly. “After last night, I am sure that if Juniper were awake, we’d hear her. You stay here and keep watch. I’ll go to the front desk. I’ve been staying here long enough that I’m sure they know who I am and will give me another key.”
I head over toward the lobby, unable to stop myself from casting a look backward to make sure my aunt isn’t about to send a potted plant through a window.
I have to say, though, it brings me a lot of comfort to know I have someone in my life who would destroy public property if my daughter’s safety were at risk.
I hustle over to the lobby, smoothing my hair and wiping my cheeks. I have no makeup on and probably look like a swamp troll, but as long as I look like the woman they know is staying in that room, they should let me in.
When I get to the lobby, the girl at the front desk is on the phone. She holds up a hand with a smile and lets me know she’ll be right with me.
Maybe the next time Junie has a meltdown, or I have a fire or need anything…maybe I won’t force myself to go through it alone.
And then, I hear his voice. “Hey, gorgeous.”
I throw myself into Vito’s arms and practically smash my lips against his. “I’m a mess,” I warn him. “I didn’t sleep, I’m not wearing makeup, and I haven’t showered since yesterday morning.”
He stops my words with a kiss. “You’re perfect,” he says. “Sassy sent me in here.” He holds the extra keycard I gave him a few days ago between his fingers. “Let’s get back to your room. I had to wrestle a concrete block out of your aunt’s hand, but she made no promises.”
* * *
The final walk-throughand the closing both went off without a hitch. Robert actually hugged Vito and me after handing over the keys. It was a bittersweet moment for him, and I promised him that we’d make some beautiful new memories in the place he’s called home.
I’m standing inside the house when I check my phone again, even though my aunt assured me that Juniper is fine. Fussy, but no more freak-outs. That’s when the real work starts.
Vito has recruited his brother Franco, his father Mario, and, of course, Lucia to help move over all the essential stuff from the hotel. The afternoon is a blur of trips back and forth, messages, phone calls, and a hell of a lot of sweating.
By dinnertime, I have furniture in Juniper’s room, all my stuff moved out of the hotel, and a couch in the living room to sleep on tonight.
“Hun, what time is the official move tomorrow?” Lucia is wearing the cutest little pair of reading glasses, which she has moved from a beaded chain around her neck onto the end of her nose.
“Around nine,” I tell her.
“I’ll be there,” Franco says. “Text me the address.”
“You sure you don’t want to stay? I can order pizza,” I offer.
