Page 50 of Dearly & Lovesick Lorraine

I nodded, tears coming to my eyes. “I’ll miss you, Dad. I wouldn’t have the life I do if it wasn’t for your guidance and love.”

Grace looked up and sniffed, reaching up to dry my eyes. “Don’t cry, Daddy.”

I kissed her forehead. “These are happy tears, sweetheart. No worries.”

“Pépé says he loves us and you should smoke that cigar when you meet your first grandchild. That’s why he was holding onto it.”

That made me laugh. “Will do, Dad. Love you. Say hi to everyone for me.”

“He’s waving and now he’s gone.”

Grace hopped down and zipped her backpack. “I’m ready, Daddy.”

I guessed I was too. Someday, I had stories to tell Grace about her Pépé, but not until she was older. I wanted my children to have a wonderful childhood and not grow up too fast.

My childhood memories were everything to me, and the ones I made with Dash and the kids were things I would cherish my whole life.

When the family business is death, one comes to cherish life even more.

♥♥♥