Dahlia’s eyes shine. “Hi.”
And then they’re moving at the same time.
They fall into each other’s arms.
Ava’s hands curl into the back of Dahlia’s sweater, and Dahlia presses her face into Ava’s shoulder, her shoulders shaking with emotion.
Ava lets out a quiet, broken laugh. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Dahlia chokes on a sob. “I wasn’t sure if you’d want me.”
Ava hugs her tighter. “I’ve wanted you my whole life.”
And God, it hits me then—how much they look alike. The same soft jaw, the same eyes, even the same way they fold into a hug like they mean it with their whole chest. Sisters who would’ve loved growing up together. I can imagine them fighting over clothes and telling each other secrets.
Goldie has gotten closer to Ava than the rest of us. I’ve gradually gotten to know her and I love her, but it began mostly because I knew my mom would want me to. Part of her felt familiar even before we knew each other well, but it’s taken time.
This isn’t like that at all. There’s an instant connection between Ava and Dahlia. Like they’ve found their missing piece.
Erin’s eyes meet mine.Wow, she mouths, quietly wiping her own eyes.
Ava pulls back just enough to cup Dahlia’s face in her hands.
“You’re real,” she whispers, like she can’t quite believe it. “You’re really here.”
Dahlia nods, tears streaking her cheeks. “So are you.”
They laugh through their tears and pull each other in again, swaying slightly in the doorway, as if neither wants to let go.
It’s truly beautiful. Something I’ll never forget.
I feel honored to have been here to witness it, and again wish that the rest of my family were part of all of this. But the two of them have earned this moment.
Neither of them lets go, even as Ava leans down to say hello to Chloe.
“I’m your Aunt Ava,” she says.
Chloe lifts her arms up for Ava to hold her, and Ava melts even more.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
WHAT A TREE
DAHLIA
“Sorry, I’m staring,” I say, laughing.
We’re on the couch in the living room, Ava next to me. Erin is in the chair across from me, and Dylan has Chloe in his lap next to Erin. Erin’s dog Sabrina runs over to Dylan and looks at him likeLet me up. We all laugh when she hops up on his lap and plops down. Chloe is thrilled.
“It’s okay. I am too.” Ava laughs. “I didn’t expect us to kind of look alike. Bruce never—” She pauses and puts her hand on my knee for a moment. “I’m sorry. This must be so weird for you. I don’t know how long you’ve known or what your dad told you…”
I jump in when she trails off. “You don’t need to apologize. Dad didn’t tell me anything. It was Dylan.”
We both look at Dylan, and he makes a face.
“Guilty,” he says.
“So, you guys are a couple?” Ava says, smiling between Dylan and me.
