I smile, but even if she wants to let me off the hook, I’m pissed at myself. “Still, I can’t forgive myself. I still haven’t forgiven myself for all those years ago.”
“You should, Patton. I have.” She holds my gaze. “I won’t deny that my fears reared their ugly heads today. Believe me, you would have gotten an earful if it was for any other reason. But this? Your mom catching you off-guard like that? I don’t blame you. I’m just glad you made it.”
“Me, too.” I brush my lips against hers again before pulling back when I remember something. “You know her, by the way.”
Nisha’s head rears back. “What?”
“Her name is Abby. Abigail, actually. She goes to the shelter you volunteer at.”
Nisha’s mouth drops open, her eyes becoming saucers. “Are you—? Patton, she’s—oh, my God! Abby’s my friend! She’s the one who knitted Gia’s first outfit!”
My mouth opens and then closes, words escaping me. The fact that the universe conspired to have my mother and Nisha become friends under totally different circumstances feels impossible.
“To think,” Nisha continues, her voice full of wonder, “she knitted it for her own granddaughter and had no idea!”
I run my free hand over my face, everything hitting me like a freight train. “She asked me to forgive her.”
Nisha nods. “It all makes sense now. She’d mentioned you. Well, not you, specifically, but she said she moved here looking for something and mentioned wanting forgiveness. Holy crap, I’m just . . .” She shakes her head, seeming as dazed as me.
“Shocked? Stunned? Blown away?”
“All the above.” Nisha laughs softly before studying my face intently. “And can you? Forgive her, I mean.”
I take a long breath. “I don’t know.”
“I get it. A quarter century without your mom is a long time.”
We both glance down at Gia, still sleeping in her mother’s arms, as we take a moment to process everything that’s just shifted in our world.
“She’s in the waiting room,” I say hesitantly. “I don’t know what possessed me to bring her. You don’t have to see her if you’re not ready; you’re probably exhausted?—”
Nisha presses her finger over my lips, putting a halt to my rambling. “I already told you I’m friends with her. And now that I know she’s Gia’s grandmother?” She gives me that smile that always undoes me. “Bring her in with the rest of our family and friends. Actually, bring her in before everyone else, with my dad and Emanuel. I want the grandparents to have their own time with her, first.”
My jaw tightens as I try to keep my emotions in check, my lips finding hers again. “Fuck, I love you, Little Borealis.” I place a kiss on our daughter’s head, relishing the sounds of her soft breathing. “You both are the best things that ever happened to me.”
thirty-eight
nisha
The Clam Jam
Nisha Arora
[image of baby with a knitted pink bow beanie and a scrunched-up face]
Welcome Gia Estelle Pierce to the chat. Our tiny bundle joined the world today, weighing a whopping seven lbs, eleven ounces.
Bella Meyer
MY GOD! She is PERFECT, Nisha!
Kavi Case
Ahh, we have been waiting for you to send pictures. Look at those cheeks and that adorable nose! She’s gorgeous!
Mala Meyer
OMG, yes! I’m so jealous Sarina and Piper were able to hold her already. She is so beautiful, Momma! But then again, with your and Patton’s genes, that was a given.
