Now, I just had to be a good date tonight and show Frank that I'd truly changed. I wasn't the grieving widower or, at least, not in public. I could be the fire chief the department needed.
I held the flowers in one hand, my phone in the other.
Eve appeared on the landing, a proud smile on her face. She wore a red dress that hugged her curves, her hair in an elaborate updo with some kind of flower entwined in the strands. I forced myself to look at Sofia, who walked down the steps next to her.
She truly looked like a princess. I lifted my phone and snapped a picture of the two of them, knowing I'd look at it later and wonder how lucky I was. For one evening, I had these two girls on my arm.
"You look beautiful," I handed the bouquet to Sofia when she was on the last step.
She held it to her chest and asked, "Do I look like a princess?"
I chuckled. "A beautiful princess."
Eve stood next to me. "I'll forward you her pictures from the photo shoot as soon as they're edited. They turned out great."
"These are for you." The florist had bundled the flowers together with a white ribbon.
Eve lowered her face to smell them. "These are gorgeous. Thank you."
I offered my arm to both girls, walking between them as we entered the ballroom. It was already crowded with guests.
Sofia ran off as soon as she saw other kids she knew, and I was alone with Eve.
"You look beautiful too," I said to her.
"Thank you." Her cheeks flushed. "Have you seen Frank yet?"
"He's with his wife by the bar." I waved a hand in their direction.
She started moving toward them. "Can we say hello? I want to thank him for everything."
"Of course." I fell in step with her and introduced her to Sharon.
"I think this might be the best holiday party we've ever had," Sharon said, her voice filled with awe.
"I'm so glad. We wanted to make it special."
"We usually have it in a rental hall, since the department doesn't have a hall of its own. But this is so much better."
"You're welcome to host it here every year if you'd like," Eve said graciously.
"We might take you up on that," Frank said.
"You two should dance," Sharon prodded us, and I held my hand out to Eve, who took it.
I easily maneuvered her onto the dance floor.
"Are we playing a part?" Eve murmured.
I felt Frank and Sharon watching us. "I think so."
She looked up at me. "Frank wants the best for you."
"I want him to feel confident that I can be the next fire chief. That I'll do a good job. I know I need to be better."
I turned us so that we couldn't see Frank and Sharon anymore.
"You will do a great job as fire chief."
