Page 48 of When We Were More (Aron Falls #1)
Two months later
T illie
I can hear poor Lena’s cries before Henry even opens the front door to the cabin.
It breaks my heart, especially because I remember from childhood how much an ear infection hurts.
Relief replaces the look of stress on Henry’s face when I enter, and I immediately set my bags on the ground and pull out the children’s ibuprofen. Getting a dose in Lena is my priority.
“I’m sorry I had to ask you to stop at the store on your way over, Matilda. I honestly thought I had a second bottle. Thank God, I had the acetaminophen to hold us over.”
I focus on Lena and getting the medication into her mouth. She resists at first, then opens when she tastes the flavor.
“Please, Henry. It’s nothing. It’ll be easier when we’re all in the same place, though. Two minds to remember things and to help each other.”
I use my finger to scoop a small amount of stray medicine from Lena’s chin into her mouth, then I lean in and kiss her forehead. When I step back to pick up my bags, her howling cries escalate in both volume and pitch.
“Ma-ma-Mama!” Henry and I both freeze, and my eyes dart up to his. I pull Lena to me as her outstretched arms make it clear I’m who she wants.
“Henry, did she just?—”
“Call you Mama? Yeah, I think she did.”
I try to read the expression on his face, his wide eyes and slightly open mouth don’t give me clear signals on how he’s feeling. Once in my arms, Lena’s cries become less intense, and she eventually rests her head on my shoulder as heartbreaking whimpers escape her.
“I’m sorry. I promise I didn’t teach her that. Maybe she heard Chase calling Shannon that at work.”
I think about how much time the children spend together in the secure play area Henry built in the room behind Shannon’s and my desks at work. That has to be it. Henry steps over to me, puts his hand on Lena’s shoulder blades, and kisses the back of her head.
“I’m not mad. But are you okay? That’s probably a lot.”
“I’m fine if you are,” I whisper.
“I’m not surprised, I don’t think she’ll remember—” he glances at Layla, who’s watching cartoons, “—Jeana. She was so young. She probably does think you’re her mom. Since we’ve been together, you’ve done most of the things a mother would do for her.”
“Are you okay if she keeps calling me that?” My words are hushed, barely above a whisper.
“Are you?”
I bite my lower lip, then nod. “Yeah, I liked how it felt.” I glance over at Layla. “I’d like to be a mom to both girls, when you’re ready, that is.”
Henry’s eyes gloss over, and he swipes at them before a tear can fall.
“Fu-udge, woman. You sure know how to get right to the heart of a man, don’t you?”
“Just tell me if and when you’re ready. No pressure.”
He nods. “Let’s see what happens organically, I guess. If Lena keeps calling you Mama, we’ll go with it. If Layla starts, then we’ll act naturally and see if she wants to talk about it at all. Does that work?”
I nod. Lena’s now asleep in my arms, and as much as I love her, she’s growing fast and getting heavy to hold for long periods.
“I’m gonna go lay her down. Do you want to see if Layla is ready for us to talk about the house?”
“Sure. Good plan.”
I manage to get Lena in her crib without waking her, and when I get back to the living room, Henry and Layla are sitting on the couch, TV off, waiting for me. I sit on the sturdy coffee table and face them. Then, I look to Henry, so he knows I’m ready.
“Ladybug, you know how we’ve been moving some of our stuff over to the farmhouse for when we live there?”
“Uh huh,” Layla answers, nodding.
“Well, I think we’re ready. What do you say we have Uncle Harry come help me move your bed today and put together a real bed for Lena, and we start sleeping there?”
“Really?” Layla’s eyes light up. She’s been begging to move to the farmhouse for about six weeks now.
“Really.” I smile at her. “It’ll be much easier to finish getting ready for your party, too, because we’ll all be together.”
“Yes! Let’s do it. Can we go now?” She stands as if she’s ready to start packing, and Henry and I both laugh.
“We’ll do it today, we promise. How about you and I start packing your clothes while Lena naps? Then, when she wakes up, we can pack hers while Daddy and Uncle Harry move your bed.”
“Let’s go!” Layla takes off for her bedroom without a backward glance.
We spend the early part of the day getting things packed and moved over to our farmhouse.
The reaction when Layla saw her princess themed bedroom finished was priceless.
Henry ran back to the cabin because he had moved everything over, except he forgot his toothbrush and toiletries.
I’m bone tired and can’t wait until he gets back so we can go to bed together.
As I kiss a sleeping Layla’s head and check on Lena once more, kissing her pudgy pink cheek, happiness overwhelms me, but in a good way. A very good way. I sit in the rocker in her room and listen to the adorable sounds of a snoring toddler. Here, in our home.
“Gram, I think you would have loved these angels,” I whisper.
“Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure you sent me this family.
Nothing will ever make losing you too soon feel right, but I sense you all around this house.
I hope you enjoy watching all the joy and love that lives here with me now.
I miss you, and I love you. Thank you for always choosing me. ”
I close my eyes and continue to rock in the chair, soaking in the sounds and the feel of our home now that we’re all here together.
I’m at peace, in love with my life now, and my heart is healed and filled with more.
More love, joy, laughter, hope ,and everything else this beautiful life has to offer.