I picked her up and started walking toward the covered awning over the private airport lobby.
When we were under the awning, I took a seat on the metal bench and held her while she cried.
I might or might not have shed my own tear or two by the time she was finished bawling.
When she pulled back and looked into my eyes, I felt struck stupid.
My little girl was gone, and in her place was a young woman that I barely recognized.
“You grew up on me, Bossy.”
She beamed, and that crooked front tooth that I used to find so damn cute was gone, in its place was a row of straight white teeth that I’d paid for but hadn’t gotten to see the end result of.
“I missed you, Daddy.”
“Missed you, too.” I squeezed her to me tight for a long moment before pulling back and narrowing my eyes. “But you better not run off like that again.”
She winced. “I can’t deal with Philippa anymore.”
For Boston to be calling Pippa by her given name meant that she was done with her.
She’d always been Pippa from the moment she was young and could form words. Boston had always called her the same.
Even Stanton had called her Pippa.
I hadn’t heard the name “Philippa” in so long that I’d mostly forgotten that was her name.
“I know you can’t,” I said. “We have a few solutions we think might work.”
“As long as you don’t send me back, I’m down.” She fisted my shirt, as if expecting me to contradict her statement.
“No going back,” I said, explaining what Apollo and I had come up with.
She relaxed instantly.
“Not that I don’t love this sweet reunion,” Nettie said. “But it’s freakin’ cold out here, I have four bags in my hand, and I want to check on my sister.”
I helped Boston stand, then caught all the bags but one from Nettie’s hands. “Your sister’s looking forward to seeing you.”
“Is she okay?” Nettie asked.
We drove to the hospital as I told Nettie all about how Eddy was doing.
“You like her, don’t you, Daddy?” Boston said when we pulled up in front of the hospital. “Like, really like her.”
I thought about denying it seeing as Nettie was very clearly listening to every word, but chose to tell them both the truth. “I like her a lot. I even might love her.”
Nettie inhaled deeply.
“Go, Dad, go.” Boston grinned, clapping happily. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
I took the two of them through the hospital corridors that would lead to Eddy’s hospital room.
When we got to the door, Nettie stiffened, closing her eyes. “What is it?”
“My kryptonite.” Nettie groaned as she pushed open the door to reveal Boone and Eddy playing cards. “You can leave now.”
Boone stood up and gathered the cards. “Gladly.”
