Yet when the beautiful woman cupped her cheek, she couldn’t move.They sat in stillness, inches apart, as they both evaluated each other.
“Roxie?”Alexis whispered.
Roxie broke.Tears fell from her eyes, and she lurched forward to press her face into the woman’s soft hair.“Mom!”
“Oh, my God,” Alexis said, clutching tight.“Oh, my God!”
Roxie held on for all she was worth.She’d begun to think it was all a dream—the pictures she saw in her head, the ones she was afraid were fading.
“Oh, baby,” her mom murmured softly.“I’ve missed you so much.”
Roxie squeezed her eyes tight, and she held and held and held.
“Mom?”said someone timidly behind her.
Roxie felt a kiss against her temple.“I need to see your sisters.I have to know it’s true.”
Her sisters.She had to share.It wasn’t something that Roxie was accustomed to, but she could get used to it.Her vision was watery as she pulled back.She watched as her mother searched for a brief second and then pure joy came over her face.
“Lexie!Maxie!”
The weakness that had come over Alexis vaporized, and she came out of her chair as if propelled.Roxie let go of her hand, albeit unwillingly, to watch the reunion.
Her chest was aching so much, it felt like it must have a gaping hole.But no, that was wrong.It was just the opposite.The gaping hole that had been in her chest her entire life felt overfilled.Overflowing.
She jumped when a strong, warm hand clamped firmly over the nape of her neck.“You always were a momma’s girl, but I want my turn, too.”
The words were gruff, and the pull was inexorable as Roxie stood and turned into her father’s arms.He held her tight against his hard form.He felt big and powerful and protective.She soaked up the sensation and inhaled deeply.A bit of sadness hit her when she didn’t remember his scent.He smelled clean and tangy.
With her cheek still pressed against his chest, she looked up at him.He had a five o’clock shadow.In wonder, she reached up to stroke it.His eyes were wet as he looked down at her, this big, tough, scary man who held her like she was fine china.
Her brow furrowed.How could she have forgotten him?He was so handsome, so commanding… and so young.
Too young.This was a man in his prime.She saw no gray hairs, and there was definitely no paunch.The only wrinkles she saw were creases around his eyes… eyes that were watching her as astutely as she was watching him.
This guy was in his forties.He might be old enough to be Roux’s father, but hers?
“Are you really my dad?”
“Yeah.”He let out a shuddering breath and ruffled her hair.“I’d recognize you anywhere, Rocket.”
Roxie straightened, a hint of a memory lingering on the edges of old thoughts.
Before it could fully form, she saw someone out of the corner of her eye, and she snagged him.“Get over here, Kanga.”
“Kanga?”Dex repeated.
Roux came over, his head dipped.He wasn’t looking at either of them, but she could see his eyes were damp.He rubbed them with the back of his hand.“It’s not R-o-o.”
“Kanga,” their dad repeated, catching on.He let out a laugh that quickly turned deep and buoyant.
Heads turned in their direction, and the mood in the bar turned from angst-ridden to joyous.One little sound.One opening of emotion that wasn’t hurt, scared, or deprived sent the place into cheers.
Roxie fisted her hand in Roux’s T-shirt and tugged him into the hug.“Why didn’t you tell me?”she demanded.
“I wasn’t sure.It was just a hunch.I saw the billboard a few weeks ago when I started classes.You look so much like Mom.”
“You’ve been here practically every night since that news story.Couldn’t you have given me a hint?”
