"Always," I promise. Whether Naomi keeps me by her side or not, I will ensure her safety until my last breath.
“My name’s Vivian, by the way.”
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Pleased to meet you, Walker.” Mrs. Barrett looks up at me, all fire and pathos gone, a serene smile on her face. "I'd better go," she says suddenly.
"What, that’s it? I thought you were going to grill him. Tall and handsome is enough?" Naomi protests.
“Naomi—" I admonish.
Mrs. Barrett puts her purse back on and shrugs. “Your father was tall and handsome. And had a cute butt. It was enough for me.”
“Mom!” Naomi yells, but she’s laughing too. So am I.
Mrs. Barrett wraps her arms around her daughter one more time. Tight. “I’m so glad you’re safe, sweetheart. And that you have someone who will keep you that way.” Mrs. Barrett pulls back and looks at both of us. “Take care of each other.”
“We will,” Naomi says.
“I’m going to be visiting all the time.”
“I’m building you a guest room,” I say.
Mrs. Barrett’s eyebrows rise, “Tall, cute butt, and handy. I guess you really?—”
“Bye, Mom,” Naomi says, laughing again and shooing her mother out the door.
“Bye, Walker, see you soon!”
“Bye, Mrs. Barrett.”
“Call me Vivian, please!” She just gets out before Naomi shuts the door on her. Naomi wraps her arms around my waist, leaning into me with a smile.
“You weren’t lying about your mom. She is something,” I say to the top of Naomi’s head.
Naomi laughs. “She is. But I think Mom gets it now,looking at you. A girl can't resist." Her smile falters as she studies my face. "What's wrong?"
I shake my head. "I'm sorry. I overheard some of that conversation. Didn't mean to eavesdrop, but—" I shrug, not knowing how to finish.
"Well, I'm sorry. My mother means well?—"
"Your mother loves you," I interrupt. "And was asking a good question. It is pretty sudden.”
“So what? Sometimes life happens quickly.”
I swallow hard, thinking about Naomi mentioning her mother constantly asking about grandchildren. "We never talked about kids.”
Naomi looks up at me. “There’s lots of stuff we haven’t talked about.”
“I know. But kids are a big one.”
“They are.”
"Do you want them?"
Naomi pauses, considering. "Yeah. I think so. Honestly, it felt so far away from my life before that it just seemed like something that was a possibility off in the distance." Her eyes drop to my lips, then back to my eyes. "Feels a lot closer now."
I sigh. "Maybe not as close as you think."
