“Can it be one of the manufactured ones? I would feel terrible wearing a real diamond after what we know about that business.”
“Whatever you want, you shall have.”
We left a few minutes later. I dropped her off at her place and then went to get the kids. I had a plan. One that mademefeel like a kid.
Gillian met me at the door with a warm smile and a hug. “Good morning. The kids are all ready to go. We had a small kerfuffle about tooth brushes last night. Robbie didn’t like the idea of using a new one instead of the one he has at home, but we worked through it.”
“Thank you for that. I appreciate it.”
“Always. These kids—we’ve raised them as a village. Just because we’ve found wonderful partners doesn’t mean anything will change between us. We’ve been through a lot together.”
“I’m grateful she has you and the others,” I said. “Truly. I’m not sure she would have made it through without a breakdown had she not had you ladies.”
“I’d say the same about you, Mr. Nash.” She squeezed my shoulder, looking into my eyes. “You make her happy, which makes all of us happy. I knew you two would figure it out at some point, but it took you long enough.”
Madison appeared behind her, back in her Trevor costume from last night, ears slightly askew. “Grady, did you come to pick us up instead of Mommy?”
“I did. She’s at the shop.” I picked her up for a hug, then set her back down.
“Does this mean you’ll be picking us up all the time now?” Madison asked. “Because your Mommy’s boyfriend?”
“That’s right.”
She threw her arms around my legs. “I prayed for this. Really hard.”
I caught Gillian’s gaze. Her eyes shimmered with tears.
“I don’t think you were the only one praying,” Gillian said.
I placed my hand on top of Madison’s shiny hair. “How about we get those shoes I promised you today?”
Her nose wrinkled. “But Mommy already bought me a pair.”
“According to my sister, a girl can always use an extra pair of shoes,” I said. “Maybe something sparkly?”
“And pink?” Madison bounced on her toes. “Because Mary Burns in my class has sparkly pink shoes, and she’s always bragging about how expensive they are.”
“We’ll get the best shiny pink shoes we can find,” I said.
“Not shiny. Sparkling,” Madison said, solemnly. “They have to sparkle.”
“As bright as your eyes?” I asked, winking at her.
“Brighter. And pink,” Madison said, clearly worried I had forgotten that detail.
Robbie appeared at the top of the stairs, backpack over one shoulder and his periodic table tie from last night folded neatly in his hand. He wore an interesting expression. Kind of a “cat that got the canary” kind of thing. But reserved, as if he didn’t want to admit how good it felt to catch the annoying bird and have his way with it.
“Good morning, Grady. Has Mother gone into work?”
“Morning, bud. Yes. You’re stuck with me today.”
A slight smile curved the corners of Robbie’s mouth. “Excellent.”
“And once your Mom’s done at work, we’re all going out for pizza.”
“Hooray!” Madison shouted. “Can we have pineapple on it?”
“Pineapple doesn’t make logical sense on a pizza,” Robbie said. “That so many make that decision is baffling.”
