I ignore Lizzy’s restrained snicker.
“Well, I know that.” She closes the puzzle book on her lap, her hands fidgeting.
“And I may or may not have a child in the future. I’m not going to let my marital status dictate that. There are plenty of single women out there who are raising families on their own.”
“I know… I just… You’re amazing and I want to have little you’s that you bring around so I can spoil and love.”
“Don’t discount Will and Beckett. They can find a surrogate.”
“I volunteer as tribute.” Lizzy says, turning around. “Shit. Not in a weird way. That sounded weird. I was just trying to say that it would be pretty cool to be part of your family because y’all are so great.”
I’m speechless, still getting over the fact she wants to be their surrogate. Not even knowing if that’s what they want or if they are even in that place in their lives. I really feel like this train derailed a while ago.
“Lizzy, you are part of our family. Blood or not. You can be born into a family, but you can also choose one. And I believe God chose you to be in our lives. I know you have your mother and father, and they are wonderful people, but you have always felt like part of this family from the very first time you stepped foot in the door.”
“Mama McKinley, you’re going to make me cry… again.”
“I don’t want to do that, sweetie.”
“What did I miss?” Tony asks, walking up to us.
“Just… girl talk,” mother says.
“If you aren’t ready for the walk, we can wait,” Tony offers.
“No. I’m ready.” Lizzy stands and wipes her face and tosses her cover-up on the chair.
She’s wearing one of my favorite bathing suits on her. Red and white striped bottoms with a halter top with cherries on it that ties in the middle. I have one similar, but opted for the bright pink string bikini today. My skin has gotten some sun on it the last couple of days, so the pink really pops.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come, Mama McKinley? It’s so cool to watch.”
“Well, actually. If you’re really ok with it, it sounds pretty cool.”
“Absolutely!” Tony leans down and offers his arm to help her up.
“Do you want to come, Everlee? You’ll be here by yourself.”
“No, you go. I’m going to stay up here and work on my tan.”
“Watch the tan lines, girl. You’ve worn a different type of bathing suit every day. You’re starting to look like someone wrapped you up in rope, then left you hanging around.”
The quiver in her bottom lips tells me she’s proud of herself. How many more little inside jokes or jabs is she going to say for the rest of this week?
“Thanks.”
“You know I got you, boo.”
They walk away, getting further and further down the beach and I feel this weight leave my chest. My mother has never been an openly affectionate woman. She wasn’t closed off, but she also was never the friend mom that other girls have. I guess you could call it a tough love, which was so hard for me to understand when I saw her with Beckett. She was always so gentle with him, and I never felt that. She would probably say that she was trying to toughen me up for the real world, and it worked, I guess. I had no qualms about leaving and starting my own life somewhere else. It could be the same reason that Beckett can’t or won’t leave.
After our talk about weddings and babies, I feel like we’re in a better place. I got what I needed to say, well, at least some of what I needed to say, off my chest. Hopefully, this will mean she doesn’t try to set me up on anymore dates.
A hand slides down my cheek to my neck and I nearly jump out of my seat, ready to attack whoever thought they could touch me.
CALLUM - UNDER THE SEA
Thehouseiseerilyquiet. Just before I went up to take a shower, Emmett was fixing some pitchers of drinks to take out for the ladies, and Will and Beckett were… sharing a moment in their room. I guess their moans and grunts make up for the ones we were causing a few nights ago with Everlee.
The summer breeze filters through the back door, fluttering the curtains. When I walk over to look outside at the beach, I notice Everlee sitting by herself. I quickly grab a piece of pineapple out of the fridge and pop it into my mouth while I walk out to meet her.
