Jamie shut the door, closing us in on Sharp Family Time.
Dad pulled me in his arms, then he reached to Alex to add her to his huddle, and once my sister was there, he immediately drew Marlo to us too.
I felt better when I saw Marlo crying as well.
“I love all my girls,” Dad said hoarsely. His gaze went to Marlo. “Never been happier.”
I hiccoughed a sob.
Alex whimpered beside me.
We all held on.
And then I said to Marlo, “Oh no! You’re ruining your makeup.”
This comment broke our huddle with Marlo dabbing carefully at her eyes, saying, “Worth it.”
“I’ll get some tissue.” Alex ran off.
Rix handed a glass of champagne to Dad. Dair did the same with Marlo. Alex came back with the tissue. And our men gave us our champagne.
Once I was fortified with an alcoholic beverage in my hand, I assured Marlo, “I have a kit fitted out with everything. I’ll fix your face before you go down.”
“Thank you, my sweet,” she replied.
“Can we toast now? Or do you women want to carry on for another hour?” Rix asked.
Alex batted his arm.
Dad raised his glass.
We all followed suit.
“You could talk until you’re blue in the face,” Dad began, “and say a hundred million words, and you would never convince me I’m not the luckiest man on the planet.”
Oh God.
He turned to me.
Oh God!
Dad kept going.
“I have a beautiful, loving firstborn who has such strength of character, it takes my breath away. She doesn’t let anyone walk all over her. And she’ll do anything for someone she loves.”
I managed to hold it together, sniffed and aimed an air kiss Dad’s way.
Dair slid his arm around me.
Dad turned to Alex.
“And I have a beautiful, loving second born who knows her own mind, is wholly herself, spends her time doing good things for people who unfortunately need her to do that work, and will do anything for someone she loves.”
Alex sent Dad a wobbly smile.
Rix already had his arm around her.
Dad turned to Marlo with such a besotted, happy expression on his handsome face, I nearly lost it again.
