We reached home right before Avery was set to arrive. Luna helped me pick out a couple of Avery’s favorite things for a gift basket to make for her. We bought a T-shirt with her favorite band on it, some of her favorite sour candies, and a few pens and notebooks because she was always writing things down. Once we ate and celebrated, I'd have a moment alone with Avery.
I put the finishing touches on the gift basket when I heard my phone ding with an incoming text, followed by the doorbell. I ran to open the door, but Gram and Luna beat me to it.
“Pretty Avery!” Lu exclaimed. “You came to my birthday.”
Avery leaned down to Luna's level. “I sure did.”
“Hi, Avery, I’m Luna and Grant’s grandma, Hazel.” Gram hugged Avery. “I have heard nothing but great things about you from both kiddos. Dinner is about ready.”
“Is there anything I can help with?” Avery asked Gram as we walked toward the kitchen.
“You can help me set the table,” Lu chimed in.
“I would be happy to.”
I watched as she seamlessly joined the family gathering. It has always been the three of us, so it was nice to see someone new so connected to my two favorite people. But I knew she would because she has become another one of my favorite people.
Once the table was set, Gram and I grabbed the plates of eggs, pancakes, hash browns, and bacon and brought them out to the table. I served Luna while Avery and Gram served themselves and made small talk.
“Grant tells me you’re in the early childhood development class at school. Are you thinking of continuing a teaching track in college once you graduate?” Gram asked Avery.
“Yes, I actually want to get a dual degree in elementary education and special education.”
“What’s special education?” Lu asked.
Avery looked over at her. “Special education is a different way of learning for kiddos who need a little extra support.”
“I want to do that when I grow up, too!” Luna exclaimed, bouncing around in her seat in between bites of pancake.
We all talked about school, college, Avery’s siblings, Luna's new friends, and Gram’s work. I honestly couldn’t remember another moment when I was so happy. The day would be considered perfect if Avery agreed to be my girlfriend. I hadn’t really thought of the alternative. We've spent all our lunches together, and when we’re not together, we’re texting or talking on the phone. Her friendship meant everything to me, but there’s something more than friendship between us. Hopefully, it wasn’t one-sided.
When we were done eating, we all helped clean up and headed to the living room to watch Luna's favorite movie,The Little Mermaid.She wanted to sit between Avery and me on the couch while Gram sat in her rocking recliner. Avery and I keptsneaking glances at each other, especially during the “Kiss the Girl” song. I could hardly wait until the movie ended so I could have a shot at kissing her—hopefully.
When the movie ended, Gram and Lu went off to bed. Avery and I finally had a moment alone.
“Thank you for coming over to celebrate. Luna really appreciated it,” I said. “We all did.”
Avery smiled. “You have a cute little family here, Grant. Different from the chaos I have at home.”
“Well, you’re welcome over any time,” I said. “Wait right here, I have something for you.” I ran to my room to grab the basket.
Once I returned, she looked at me skeptically. “What are you up to, Grant?”
“Just you wait,” I said with a wink as I handed her the basket.
Her eyes glazed over. She looked between me and the basket with an expression of disbelief, “What is this for?” She began sifting through the items in the basket.
“You’ve become my best friend, but lately I feel so much more toward you. Sometimes the responsibility of taking care of Luna becomes too much, but you keep me grounded and level-headed amongst all the commotion. All that to say, I really like you. In a ‘more than a friend’ way.” I paused.
“I like you, too,” she responded quietly.
I smiled widely. “I made you a basket of some of your favorite things you’ve mentioned. Would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend, Avery?” I held my breath waiting for her response.
There was a lingering moment of silence. Almost an unbearably long moment of silence before either of us said anything. We stared at each other for a beat.
“I thought you’d never ask,” she said with a beaming smile. I leaned in to kiss her. I knew today would be a day I’d always remember. Not only as the day Avery became my girlfriend, butas the day my family welcomed someone new into our lives who would be sticking around.
FIFTEEN
