“It’s our first real date since...” She wasn’t quite sure how to finish that sentence. Since they’d started trying to put the pieces back together? The theater date last month was forced and unnatural, and she’d been too preoccupied, desperate to get back for the triplets. God, she’d been an ass.
“Since you decided to fight for each other,” her dad said gently and grinned. “Maybe youshouldbe nervous about it.”
Solo abandoned the mirror and collapsed onto the couch beside him. Luna immediately crawled into her lap, and Solo automatically adjusted to accommodate her, before pressing a kiss to her daughter’s curly hair. “We Zoomed with David yesterday,” she said. “Janie from her office and me from the garage. She told him everything about the ER incident.”
Her dad grumbled. “How did that go?”
“Better than Janie expected. He was frustrated we didn’t tell him sooner, but he understood why. He still thinks we’re in good shape even after he’d reviewed the medical records. They show it was an accident, and we’ve taken steps since then by childproofing and employing Carmen.” She nudged him. “And we’ve got you hanging around too. David’s confident Janie’s mother doesn’t have a case.”
He raised both eyebrows and stared at her, clearly waiting for more. He could always hear the “but” before she said it.
“But it’s still terrifying. The hearing is in three weeks, and until then, we’re just... waiting and hoping Janie’s mother doesn’t find something else to use against us.”
“You’re doing everything right,” her dad said. “Both of you. And you’re doing it together.That’swhat matters.”
Tia wandered over and thrust a picture book at Solo. “Mama read.”
“Mommy is coming soon, baby girl. How about Grandpa reads you this one?”
“When Mommy coming?” Tia’s face scrunched up with the kind of concentration only a toddler trying to understand time could achieve.
“Very soon. Maybe ten more minutes?”
“Ten minutes,” Tia said seriously, like she had any concept of what that meant.
Solo’s phone buzzed.
I’m outside.Should I come in?
Her stomach did a complicated flip. “She’s here,” she said, unnecessarily loud. She stood and popped Luna on the playmat, but she protested with a squawk. Solo went back to her phone and texted Janie.Do you want to come in to see the girls?
“Go.” Her dad shooed her toward the door. “Have fun. Don’t worry about your little terrors. Carmen will be here in an hour, and everything is under control.”
“I know, but shouldn’t the girls see their mommy?” She grabbed her keys from the tray by the door.
“Han.” Her dad put his hands on her shoulders, looking at her seriously. “Your mother and I had rough patches. There were times when we couldn’t see past our own hurt to see each other. You know what saved us? We kept showing up. We kept choosing each other. That’s what you and Janie are doing. So go. Show up for your wife. Choose her.”
Her phone buzzed again.
Would it be okay if I didn’t? I really want this time to be about us. I can come in after our date night. Does that work?
Solo hugged her dad quickly, then kissed each of the triplets. “Be good for Grandpa and Carmen. I’ll be home later.”
“Much later,” her dad said and gave a knowing smile. “Don’t rush. You two need this.”
Solo grabbed her denim jacket, more for something to keep her hands busy than because she needed it in the warm September afternoon, then headed outside.
Janie was leaning against her car, wearing a dress Solo had never seen before. It was deep green with small white flowers, fitted at the waist and flowing to just above her knees. Her hair was down and caught the afternoon light. Solo’s mouth fell open like she was a cartoon character. Janie looked fresh and achingly familiar all at once.
Solo jogged down their path and closed the gate behind her. She wanted to pull Janie into her arms and kiss her, then maybe scoop her up and take her upstairs to show her how much she’d missed her. But first dates were about taking it slow. Weren’t they?
“Hi,” Janie said then bit her bottom lip.
“Hi.” Solo couldn’t stop staring. “You look... Wow.”
“Yeah?” Janie looked down at herself like she’d forgotten what she was wearing. “I bought it yesterday. I thought...fresh start, new dress,” she said and shrugged.
“It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” Solo moved close enough to touch Janie but held back, and for a moment, she just stood there, taking her in as if she was seeing her for the very first time. “So. First date.”
