“I’m sorry, Mom.” I embrace her thin frame and inhale the familiar scent of her perfume. Always something floral with a hint of citrus. Her arms wrap around me as she squeezes tightly and then retreats.
“You look good.” Her gaze travels over me from head to toe.“Are you eating good?”
“Yes.” I roll my eyes. “I’m eating fine.”
“Is she keeping you up late? You have bags under your eyes.”
“Mom, I’m fine.” I brace my hands on my hips. “Emily isn’t–”
“I wasn’t talking about Emily.” Her eyes narrow into slits. “I was talking about the baby. I was going to offer to watch her so you and Emily could have a night alone, but of course, you’d insist on sharing more information that I wanted to know.”
“Please.” I fling my hand dismissively toward her before dropping it to my side. “You’re here fishing for details, or you wouldn’t be here.”
She laughs and crosses her arms over her chest. “Fine. I want details. You moved back here, and I expected to see more of you. Now, you have a girlfriend and a baby, and no time for your mom.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll make time for you.”
“It’s fine.” Now it’s her that’s waving her hand dismissively. “Is the baby doing fine? Eating? Sleeping? Growing?”
“Yes, yes, and yes.”
“Emily?”
“Yes.” I wink with a smirk. “She’s eating fine also. Just last night–”
“Shut up.” She glares at me but can’t stop the smile that curves up her cheeks. “I’m happy for you. It’s amazing to see you turning into such a great man. When you called and said you were going to get your foster license to speed things along with Grace, it made my heart ache with happiness. As a mother, you always worry about screwing up your kids, but I think I did a good job with you.”
“Yes, Mom, you did.” All this emotional stuff has my throat in a chokehold so I clear it before saying, “You were the best mom a kid could ask for. And dad, too. You guys taught me everything I needed to know about being an adult.”
“Thank you,” she sighs and fiddles with the strap of her black handbag. “Okay, what I’m actually here for. I do want to give you and Emily a night to go out to dinner. Or stay in and do whatever.” Her cheeks are stained with color. “But more importantly, I want to bond with Grace. She’s going to be my granddaughter so I should spend time with her. I called Emily to make sure it was okay and touched base with Iris.”
“You have it all figured out, don’t you?”
Her eyes narrow. “I’m your mother. Of course, I have it all figured out.”
“And here you were moments ago, pretending that you didn’t already know you were perfect.”
“You’re rotten.” She whacks the back of her hand against my chest as I laugh at her mock outrage.
Shit. I’m going to marry a woman like my mom. Five years ago, that thought would’ve grossed me out, but now? Now, I can admit, I have a thing for bossy women, and this one is offering me the evening to enjoy my girl.
“Tonight?” I ask without an ounce of worry whether she’ll take impeccable care of Grace. She will.
“Of course, I’ll stop by and pick her up.”
“No, that’s okay. We’ll drop her off. I want to take Emily to my place. I need to know what color she wants the walls, where she wants her bookcases, and desk before the guys come over next weekend. Because the quicker we get the house inspection ready, the sooner we can finalize the termination and adoption.”
“So, court went good?”
“Yes, the next date is set for two months from now for the disposition hearing. Everything is still a process, but things are moving smoothly.”
“I’m so happy.” The rosy color of her cheeks deepens as she exhales. “I’m a grandma.” She wraps her arms around me again. “I’m happy for you also but you really didn’t do anything. You just fell into a baby. Next time, you’re going to need to put in some actual effort.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I love this woman. There’s nothing like being surrounded by my family and friends again.
Chapter Seventy-Five
Emily
