She smiles softly at me and tears open the box, inside is a jewelry box. She smiles at me, a giddy bite to her lip that makes me want to take that lip for my own and opens the box.
Inside is a rose gold necklace, and the necklace says “Rora” with two pearls on either side, which is June’s birthstone.
“How? Have I told you her birthday?”
I shrug. “You mentioned she turned four in June, that you registered her for preschool then too, and that you couldn’t believe how fast time had flown.”
She looks at me in wonder. “Derek, the fact that you remembered that conversation and used it for a gift for me is absolutely incredible.”
I furrow my brows, looking at her seriously. “I remember everything you say to me. I mean, okay.” I shrug. “I may forget things in passing, but if we’re having a conversation, I remember.”
Birdie looks at the necklace again, her shoulders soften, and she fingers the necklace. “I think this is my favorite gift ever.”
“Well, then we’re even. Because being here with you is mine.”
I lean down, pressing my lips to hers as her hand scratches into my hair, holding me to her. I memorize this moment, savor every second, and file it away like a precious memory.
Because it is one.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“I’m scared to admit it, but I think I’m in love. It’s with myself, but that still counts.” -Molly
ELIZABETH
January was one of those exceptionally dreary months. When you’re forced out into the Denver sludge, the cars and trucks making a mess of the snow that was once blanketing it in beautiful sheets of white—now gray—with muck from the underside of tires, you really appreciate home.
Today I was forced to take the long route to my work, which means parking three blocks away in the parking lot reserved for no one, meaning it was free parking, and slogging my way through the streets.
Last night it snowed, and I watched with Derek, Rora, and Hattie as the snow fell in heavy flakes,Frosty the Snowmanon TV, and we had hot chocolates in hand. My goal through January and the continuing months of winterwas to keep up the joy and not let myself slide into a dark, cold,don’t want to leave my housetime.
So the cure to that is to pretend it is the same months that lead up to Christmas and have a party on March first.
Of course, this is Colorado. So, there’s always the chance for a very cold and wet March, but I’m hoping that we can get to spring as fast as possible.
My phone pings with a text, and I reach into my laptop bag, pulling it out and smiling at the name.
DEREK: I think we should do something fun tonight.
That was one thing about Derek I loved, he always wanted to do something fun. Whether it was going to a movie, or making cookies at home, or watching the snow fall, it’s all fun by his side.
ELIZABETH: What do you have in mind?
DEREK: Well, I may have already bribed your sister into babysitting. I wouldn’t mind some one-on-one time if that sounds good to you.
ELIZABETH: I could be persuaded.
I bite my lip at the giddy feeling in my stomach, my heartbeat ticking up higher and higher at the thought of a date with him. It’s funny. We’ve been dating for months, and he’s been basically officially made part of the family,and I still get giddy when I see him. I still have that unrelenting feeling of butterflies in my stomach.
DEREK: I’ll pick you up at six. Wear something warm.
ELIZABETH: Will we be outside?
DEREK: Yup. But don’t worry, I’ll hold you close.
The butterflies in my stomach start fluttering their wings in giddy excitement as I slip into my desk chair and sigh.
I am so gone for this man.
