“Good. It's character building.”
“I hate you.”
“You love me.”
“Same thing.”
He pulled her into one more hug, fierce and brief, and then released her.
“You’re my best friend, Chris. I’m going to miss my best friend every single day.”
He put his hand on her cheek. “I’ll always be your best friend, Bethy. Now, go back to your babies. Tell Gabriel I said to take care of you, or I'll drive back up here and make his life difficult.”
“He knows. I remind him daily.”
“That's my girl.”
They walked back toward the family together. Beth hugged Becca and kissed Eloise's cheek, then stepped back to stand with the others.
The goodbyes began, though they felt different than Maggie had expected. Christopher and Becca weren't disappearing to some distant place. They were heading to Captiva, to the same island where Maggie and Paolo lived, where Chelsea and her husband lived, where Sunday dinners and spontaneous visits would become part of their new normal.
Michael stepped forward and pulled his brother into a hug, longer than their usual brief embraces.
“Take care of yourself,” Michael said gruffly. “And that family of yours.”
“You, too. Give Brea and the kids a hug from me. And we expect you down for a visit once we're settled.”
“Brea's already planning it. You know how she is.”
Lauren hugged Christopher and then Becca. “Drive safe. Text us when you stop for the night.”
“We will,” Becca promised.
“And don't let him eat gas station food the whole way,” Lauren added. “He'll do it if you let him.”
“I'm standing right here,” Christopher said.
“I know. That's why I'm telling her.”
Sarah hugged them both, murmuring something in Christopher's ear that made him laugh and shake his head. Grandma Sarah demanded a kiss on the cheek and told Becca to make sure Christopher ate enough protein because he was looking thin.
“I'm not thin,” Christopher protested.
“You're thin. You need protein. Listen to your grandmother.”
Chelsea hugged them both warmly. “I expect an invitation to the housewarming party. Even if the house isn't warmed yet.”
“You'll be one of the first through the door,” Christopher said. “Assuming the door is still attached.”
“That bad?”
“Let's just say it has character. Don’t be surprised if we call your husband for help.”
“Character is good. Character means potential. You know where we live. Just give us a call or, even better, stop by.”
Maggie was last. She held her son for a long moment, but the goodbye felt lighter than she had anticipated. This wasn't like sending him off to war, not knowing when or if she would see him again. This was sending him home. Her home. Their home now.
“I'm proud of you,” she said. “Every day. Every version of you.”
