A rustling of tissue paper filled the room, and for a moment, Jamie was entirely speechless as she held a purple hat in her hands.
“Surprise! I’ve committed to the University of Washington! I’ve been discussing this with their gymnastics coach for a few weeks, and it just makes sense. Plus, Dylan and I are going to room together. Isn’t that perfect?!”
Jamie looked at Beth and Sarah, who were both holdingUniversity of Washington Momsweatshirts, purple for Beth and heather gray for Sarah, surprise on each of their faces.
Nell was the first to speak as she stood and excitedly wrapped Lily in a hug, still clutching the purple pennant Lily had given her. “Oh, Lily, this is so exciting! Go Dawgs!”
Dylan laughed from her spot at the kitchen counter. “Go Dawgs!!” she echoed.
“What do you think, Moms?” Lily asked as Nell sat back down.
Beth set the sweatshirt down and pulled Lily into a hug. “I think it’s a great plan, love. We’re proud of you no matter what you do.”
“Please tell me you at least considered Stanford?” Sarah added, hugging Lily as well.
“Of course I did, Mom. But I liked UW better.”
“Still had to put my plug in for it. Congrats, sweetie, but what changed your mind? I thought you were all set with taking a year off?”
Jamie sat quietly, her brain zoning out the sound of talking around her as her thumb brushed over the brim of the hat inher hand. She was so thrilled for Lily. UW was where she had gone to college, where she, Amanda, and Kendall had all fulfilled their collegiate gymnastics careers. She had nothing but good memories there. But it was the words on the hat that had caught her completely off guard.
She traced the embroidered golden letters that spelled outUW Mom. Mom. That word sat deep in her chest. She had never pictured herself as a parent. She had never let herself picture a future where that would have been possible once she understood the gravity of her history with cancer. But here she was.
For the better part of four years, Lily had been a major part of her life. She had watched Lily grow over those years, had made co-parenting decisions alongside Beth and Sarah, and Jamie had loved every moment of it. But she had never once considered herself a mom—just a bonus adult in Lily’s life.
“UW, huh?” Jamie asked softly.
Lily turned to face her, eyes bright and excited. “Yeah. I really like their gymnastics program, but also because you went there.”
Happy tears fell from the corners of Jamie’s eyes as she slipped the baseball cap over her curls, pulling Lily into a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered. “You’re going to have so much fun.”
“Thanks,Mom.”
That afternoon, after breakfast had wrapped up and everyone had gone their separate ways, Jamie sat curled up on the sunken couch in the living room, staring at the rain gently tapping against the large floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the deck and to the water below. It was calming to watch the droplets chase one another in an endless game of tag as gravitygave them momentum. A shifting next to her drew her attention away as Beth sat down, nudging Jamie so she could lie down.
“You all done in the studio for the day?” Jamie asked, instinctively curling herself against Beth’s body in the way she always did when she was seeking comfort, resting her head against Beth’s chest, listening to the rhythmic sound of her heart beating.
“All done,” Beth confirmed, positioning a pillow behind her head before snaking an arm around Jamie’s torso, her other hand gently smoothing over her wild curls.
They lay together in silence for a moment, Jamie’s head moving slightly with the rise and fall of Beth’s chest as she listened to her breathing, thinking about how much she loved this. Lying with Beth like this and justbeingtogether.
“Dr. Albright’s office called earlier,” she said gloomily. “You know it’s not good news if they call on a weekend.”
Beth’s hand stilled briefly before resuming motion. “Did they leave a message?”
Jamie nodded, the fabric of Beth’s sweatshirt scrunching against her face as she let out a long sigh. “I haven’t listened to it yet. It’s the feeling, you know? I told you I had a bad feeling about all of this. I wanted a few more moments of peace before opening Pandora’s box.”
“You don’t know what it is for sure. It could be good news.”
Jamie buried herself further into Beth’s embrace as Beth hooked a leg around her, pulling her closer and placing a kiss on the top of Jamie’s head.
“Did you see what was on the hat Lily got me?” Jamie asked, changing the topic.
“I did.” Beth ran her fingers up and down her sides as their breathing synced.
“She called me mom. I never, I—” Her words got caught as she pushed through them and the overwhelming surge of lovethat coursed through her. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to be anyone’s mom.”
“She loves you so much.” Beth tightened her arms around her, squeezing gently. “Welove you so much.”
