“Do you think he’s already here waiting for us?” Cecily stared out the window of the airplane as the pilot completed the landing.
“I’m sure of it. Your dad hates being late.” Serena shoved her book inside her purse. She’d left her tablet at home after deciding she’d take off completely the next few days. It had meant several twelve hours days and hiring an assistant, but her business would continue running smoothly in her absence.
“If you want to run up and kiss him when you first see him, I’m okay with that.” Cecily turned her gaze to Serena with a starry expression. “It will be just like a movie.”
Serena felt the heat on her neck. How could she kiss Lucas in front of her daughter? It was too weird. “I’m sure he’d rather see you first.”
“Maybe he knows a cute, young private he could introduce me too.”
“He most certainly will not Cecily Lucia Fontenot. Even the youngest private would be five years your senior, not to mention the fact you are not old enough to date.” Her head spun. She’d be eternally grateful when this boy crazy phase ended. She made a mental note to speak with Lucas regarding their daughter’s romantic notions so he’d steer clear of innocently introducing anyone who might spark Cecily’s interest.
“You’re no fun.” Cecily dropped her phone in her purse. “But you don’t really think I’d try to date someone who’s over eighteen, do you?”
“I would hope not, for many reasons.”
“Although, it would give me good experience to write a book one day.”
“Cecily,” she warned until she saw the laughter in Cecily’s eyes. “Don’t tease your mother like that. You’ll give me a heart attack one day.”
The flight attendant gave instructions to disembark. Serena watched excitement play out on Cecily’s face, and knew the feeling. Her heart flipflopped as she waited to see Lucas in person for the first time in six weeks. Funny, how thirteen years had flown by, but the last six weeks dragged.
She let Cecily leave first, then fell in step behind her. They followed the crowd to the end of the gate the down the corridor. Her heart rate increased with each step, and she fought the temptation to run. It seemed like hours until they reached the public area, but in reality, was only minutes.
“I see him.” Cecily stood on her tiptoes, waving her arms to catch his attention.
They maneuvered their way through the throng of passengers. Lucas finally spotted them, and they met halfway. He handed them each a bouquet of flowers, which she discovered were extremely lifelike silk replicas. Once again, his thoughtfulness touched her. Taking home live flowers in two days would have been difficult, but they could keep these forever.
“I’ll take you to the baggage claim, and then we can head out.” He gave her a long, lingering hug. “Do you want to see Nashville before we go back?”
Cecily shook her head. “Nashville will always be here. I want to do normal family things. Hang out together, watch movies, go out to eat. Make fun of each other.”
“Your wish is my command.”
“We don’t have any baggage to get. We crammed it all in our carry-on bags,” she told him when he started walking.
“Even better.” While walking to his vehicle, he asked about their flight and everyone back home.
“Your family spends so much time with Cecily, I rarely see her now.” Serena smiled, grateful his family had accepted them into their fold.
“Lacey and Monica let me watch the babies while they get work done around the house.” Eagerness made Cecily speak her words in rapid succession. “When I’m fourteen, they’ll let me babysit on my own.”
“I can’t think of a better babysitter.” Lucas stopped in front of a black, crew cab truck.
Used to seeing him in the rental car, Serena blanked until she realized this was his vehicle. It suited him better than the car. He took their small bags and placed them in the back seat. Cecily sat on the other side, and Serena sat up front.
She pulled a baggie from her purse. “I almost forgot, your mom sent these for you.”
“Mom makes the best pralines.” He opened the bag and offered one to her and Cecily. “She’s sent me a monthly care package like clockwork since I enlisted and has always included her homemade pralines.”
“These are good,” she said after swallowing the bite she chewed.
“Don’t eat too many.” His eyes sparkled. “I have a few surprises planned.”
Cecily leaned forward from the backseat. “What kind of surprises?”
“You’ll see.”
“Can we go bowling?” Cecily’s gaze swept from side to side as she watched her surroundings change. “I’ve always wanted to.”
