He kept the kiss gentle and light.
He wanted more, and he’d get more.
But he’d take it later.
He broke the kiss and asked, “Chocolate sheet cake?”
“Yeah.”
“Yougonnaeat that?”
“Probably.But Mom’s just using this as an excuse to get Jetto make one because she loves it.Tex loves it.It’s Eddie and the boys’favorite.But mostly it’s just because Mom loves it.”
He grinned at her.
It faded before he asked, “What’s up with her arm?Thathappen from the stroke?”
“Yeah.Her stroke.She had it a long time ago.She fought toget her leg back, but we thought she’d never have her arm.A couple of yearsago, some physical therapist was in Fortnum’s, getting a coffee and chattingwith Indy while she did.She’d had some success with stroke patients, evenyears after the event.Indy introduced her to Jet, Jet and Tex talked to Mom,they started working and she got some mobility back.”She shrugged.“Not much.It isn’t strong.She can’t fully grip or lift anything.But she can use it toshove things around to position them and stuff like that.Anyway, something isbetter than nothing.”
“Yeah,” he agreed.“Though hate that happened to your mom,baby.”
“Me too.But she survived and takes care of herself, Textakes care of the rest, so it’s all good.”
“Yeah,” he muttered.
“Mo?”she called, and his focus went back to her.“Chocolatesheet cake means the boys aregonnacome over.SinceBlanca’s probably watching them, and will hear what happened to me, she’llwannaknow I’m okay so she’ll come over.If Blanca isn’twatching them, one of the Rock Chicks is watching them, so they’ll come over.Ineed to shower.Get ready, albeit belatedly, to face the day.”
He bent in and kissed her forehead before he said, “I’ll godown and make sure they’re cleared out.”
“I don’t mind them here.”
He studied her closely and saw what he needed to see.
“Then I’ll make that clear.”
She nodded and gave him a little smile.
“Mo?”she called again, even though he was looking right ather.
The smile he gave her wasn’t small.“I haven’t goneanywhere, baby.”
“I know.And that was what I wasgonnasay.Thank you.”
It might make him fucked in the head, but in that moment, hereally didn’t care.
Because Mo knew the most precious thing he’d ever heard inhis life was Lottie shrieking,I need Mo!
“You really want a big wedding?”he whispered.
“Is that a problem?”she whispered back.
“Not even a little.”
His girl smiled at him.It wasn’t small that time.
And Mo smiled back.
Much later, Mo stood on Lottie’s back porch, feelinghis jaw get tight.
