Tom put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m proud of you,” he said quietly. “After everything you’ve been through and survived, you’re still smiling. You’re a fighter, Janie. My daughter and my granddaughters are lucky to have you.”
“I’m lucky to have you too,” Janie said. “You’ve been more of a parent to me than my own mother ever was.”
His eyes got shiny, and he cleared his throat loudly. “Well, you’re family. This is how it is.”
There was that word again. Family. Not of blood, or ofobligation, but a family through choice. And here was hers, showing up and loving her unconditionally.
Chloe squirmed to get down, then toddled toward where Luna and Tia were “helping” RB look through a box of car parts. Janie watched them for a while, her heart so full it ached.
“Hey.” Gabe offered a glass of wine. “You doing okay? Not too overwhelmed?”
“Overwhelmed in the best way.” Janie grasped the drink gratefully and took a big swallow. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. I’m so glad you’re here.”
Gabe smiled. “Solo would’ve killed us if we hadn’t shown up. She’s driven us all insane this week, texting in the group chat at all hours to make sure everything was perfect. “
Janie stared across at Hannah, and her stomach flipped at the sight of her wife in a crisp polo shirt and dark jeans, snug in all the right places. “She’s pretty perfect herself.”
“Don’t tell her that. Her ego’s already big enough.” Gabe grinned then shook her head. “Seriously though, you two have come through something that would have destroyed most couples. You should be proud.”
“I am,” Janie said. “I’m scared, but proud.”
“Good. Fear means you’re paying attention.” Gabe clinked her beer against Janie’s glass. “To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings.” She didn’t miss the way Gabe quirked her eyebrow, like she was warning Janie not to screw it up again. Janie didn’t blame her. Hannah had been the baby of their group for a long time, and they were all hyper-protective of her.
“Be careful with Solo,” Gabe said. “She’s not the superwoman she pretends to be.”
“I will, I promise.” Janie kissed Gabe’s cheek then made her way around the room, talking to everyone, accepting hugs and congratulations, and feelingseen.
Lori pulled her aside near the makeshift bar RB had set up. “I know we don’t know each other that well yet,” Lori said, “but I wanted to say that watching you and Solo fight for your familyhas been inspiring. My parents have always had this incredible marriage, and I used to think that kind of love just happened naturally, that you either had it or you didn’t. But seeing you two actually work at it and choose each other every day, even when it’s been so hard, has made me realize that the best relationships are the ones people fight for.”
“Thank you.” Tears edged Janie’s eyes again, and she blinked them away. “That means a lot.” She gestured toward Gabe. “You both seem really happy.”
“We are.” Lori’s smile was soft. “Though I have to admit, being around all of Gabe’s crew with the history they share can be a little intimidating sometimes.”
Janie took Lori’s hand and squeezed gently. “You fit though. I can see the way Gabe looks at you, and the way everyone’s welcomed you. You belong here.”
Before Lori could respond, Shay swept in with Rosie in tow.
“Enough serious talk,” Shay said. “We’re here to celebrate. Janie, c’mere, we need to show you something.”
Shay and Rosie led her to a corner where a collage of photos had been stuck to the wall, of Janie’s memories going back years. Janie and Hannah on their wedding day. The garage crew in their Army days. The triplets as newborns. Janie’s grandmother at her law school graduation. Christ, Hannah was set on ruining her eye makeup tonight.
“Solo put this together,” Shay said. “She wanted you to see your history, your family, and all the people who’ve loved you and shaped you.”
“And my old college friend, Alyssa, brought in the gorgeous flowers,” Rosie said.
She gestured to the redhead in the leather apron, who was in animated conversation with the tall masc in the bow tie Janie had spotted earlier. She looked even more awkward now, if that were possible.
“It’s all so…” Janie touched the soft petals of a yellow rose. “Please thank her for me.” She stared at the photo of her grandmother. Even in a two-dimensional snapshot, the unconditional love in her grandmother’s eyes was obvious as she smiled at the camera, her arm around Janie. She closed her eyes, feeling the strength and warmth of Grandma Susan’s love around her, and she could almost hear her voice:Build your own family, sweetheart. Build your own life.Janie opened her eyes and smiled. “It’s beautiful.” She pointed to the picture of the garage crew with some desert in the background. “Hannah looks so young. You all do.”
“She still does.” Shay chuckled. “She’ll always be the baby of the group, even if she has grown up some.”
Janie nodded, knowing how much Hannah treasured her place in their little group.
“Your grandmother would be proud of you,” Rosie said softly. “You really fought for yourself and your family.”
“I hope so.” Janie touched the photo gently. “Grandma Susan is the one who made all of this possible. The trust fund allowed Hannah to invest in the garage, it bought our house, and it gave us the resources to fight my mother’s custody case. She protected me even after she was gone.”
