“And they’ll certainly make beautiful mementos,” Mum says with an approving nod.“But I thought the three of you might like something else to remember this trip, and to remind you that you have family here.”
Dad takes the bags from Mum and hands them to each of the girls.Brodie and I eye each other over Drew’s head; his expression tells me he’s just as clueless as I am.
Mum motions for them to open the bags.She’s practically bouncing in her seat now, reminding me of countless Christmases and birthdays when she could barely contain her excitement.The only thing she loves more than feeding people is giving meaningful gifts.
Over the sound of rustling tissue paper, Drew lets out a gasp, which is echoed by Abby a second later.I focus on Abby, watching as she unfurls a cashmere shawl in the MacKinlay tartan of dark blue and green plaid cut with fine lines of red and black.
“The three of you are part of the MacKinlay Clan now,” Mum says, her voice wavering with emotion.
All three girls rise in unison and converge on my parents, hugging them and thanking them.I glance at Brodie, unsurprised to see tears shining in his eyes.It was obvious from the start that our parents loved and accepted Drew, and the fact they’ve opened their hearts and home to this little family we’ve created is a gift.I do my best not to think about said little family returning across the ocean in a few days without me.
I watch as Mum enfolds Abby in a tight embrace, rocking her back and forth.“You’ll always have a home here with us,” she says.
I don’t catch Abby’s choked reply as she squeezes my mum tighter, then moves on to hug Dad.When she straightens, she wraps the shawl around her shoulders and plays absently with the ends as she eyes the door.I imagine her excusing herself and disappearing to her room, but she turns to face me instead.
My stupid, yearning heart flips in my chest as a slow smile spreads across her face.Something compels me to stand and open my arms as she crosses the room.She steps into my embrace without hesitation, and I tuck her close to my body, resting my chin on top of her head.
“I’m an honorary MacKinlay,” she murmurs against my chest.“This tartan seals the deal.You’re stuck with me forever now.”
As much as I wish she meant ‘forever’ in a different context, the fact she accepts that she’s officially part of this family means the world to me.“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
CHAPTER TWELVE ~ ABBY ~ FOURTEEN YEARS AGO
It’s our second lastfull day in Edinburgh, and I’m wandering on my own.Fog blankets the city, muffling the sounds of people and traffic.When I was little, my grandma would stand at the window whenever it was foggy, her expression full of a longing I didn’t understand, and her tone wistful as she told me how thehaaralways reminded her of home.
I understand that longing better now.
I was only eleven when she died, and although I enjoyed hearing her talk about Scotland, I didn’t fully grasp what it meant that she came from somewhere far away and had an accent I rarely heard outside of the occasional TV show.It never occurred to me to ask questions about Scotland, her childhood, if she ever regretted leaving, or if she wished she could go back.I’d give anything to ask her all those things now, and tell her just how deeply I’ve fallen in love with her homeland.
The drone of bagpipes carries on the air, cutting through the almost eerie silence.I’ve gotten a bit turned around, but I’m not worried.Something about the tall grey buildings that loom on either side of me, paired with the cobblestones beneath my feet, is comforting.If it weren’t for the vehicles parked on the street, I could almost imagine I’ve stepped back in time.
An image of my grandma’s lined face and bright blue eyes flashes through my mind as the faint strains of the bagpipe reach me, and I recognize the song: “Amazing Grace”.It was one of her favourites.This year marks the tenth anniversary of her death; I’ve now lived almost as long without her as I did with her.Being in Scotland has made me feel closer to her, and I think it’s part of why I’m struggling with the idea of leaving.
I’ve hardly had a moment to myself since we arrived, which I haven’t minded—I’ve enjoyed every second with my friends, and have made memories that will last a lifetime—but as our time in Scotland draws to a close, I find myself experiencing a lot of Big Feelings.Earlier today, those feelings included a desire to venture out on my own after we all had lunch in one of our favourite pubs.
“Are you okay?”Drew had asked quietly as we stood outside the pub and stared at the grey sky.“You’ve been quiet today.I know you said you wanted to wander on your own for a bit, but I can come with you if you want company.Or Brodie and I can change our plans for tonight, and we could have a girls’ night instead.”
