Page 54 of Alexander's Heart

“Mommy, she looks like you but different,” Alexa whispers.

“We used to look exactly the same, Lovebug. But Caroline doesn’t have my freckled heart, that was the only way to tell us apart but we had different personalities, I’m quiet and bookish. Caroline was the outgoing, popular cheerleader.”

“So, will hew face be, okay? Is Doc helping hew?” Alexa asks sad, but with hope in her eyes.

“He sure is, Lovebug, just like he helped me.” I say as I kiss her forehead.

“Good, I likes hew, she’s nice Mommy, just like you,” then smiles brightly, “plus, she’s yaw weal life sistaw and that’s special to me.”

Alexa jumps down and goes to the bathroom and knocks, ‘You okay, Auntie?’

A shaky ‘yes’ can be heard and Alexa asks, ‘Can I’s come in?’

‘Okay,’ Caroline sounds childlike and I look straight to Doc with concern and he moves closer, as does Alexander, they’ve both remained in the background letting this unfold with as little intervention as possible.

Tiny doesn’t move he stays where he is, looking calm, hmmm, interesting. Alexa opens the door and giggles as steps in and my heart starts to flutter when she’s out of view but the boys are there ready.

‘You look vewy pwetty, do you feels pwetty?’

Caroline giggles and as she replies, ‘I do, you just made me feel so much better, Alexa. I haven’t felt pretty in a long time.’

Alexa pulls Caroline out of the bathroom and all heads look to my sister, she looks alive and so much happier. I look to Tiny and he’s trying not to let it show but I see it, I see his eyes sparkle while looking at Caroline and it gives me hope.

Doc takes her hand and spins her around making her twirl, “You look great, Caroline, how does it make you feel?”

She smiles brightly, “Human, Doc, I feel a little more like me.”

“Perfect,” he says stepping away.

Alexander nods, “Looking good, Caroline.” Then he steps back over to stand behind me.

“Auntie, do you want to see evewything now or lataw?” Alexa asks politely, I’m pretty sure she’s picked up on Caroline being happy but a little overwhelmed.

“Can I look at them later, I’d like to explore them when alone but thank you for my pretty dress, and that it matches yours and sissy’s, I love it sweety.”

Alex wraps herself around Caroline’s legs and looks up with a smile.

“I’m glad yaw happy.”

We all head out into the garden and spend time walking and enjoy talking, we have lunch together and then Mom walks out, we had it arranged this way so Caroline wouldn’t feel added pressure and they could each meet Alexa separately.

“Alexa, I have someone else I’d like you to meet.”

Alexa gasps and starts looking around, “See that lady with the brown hair holding a soft toy,” I say pointing to my mom.

“Yes, who is she?” Alexa’s voice full of curiosity.

“That is my mom.” I whisper.

Alexa gasps and transfers off her seat to my lap and holds my face in her little hands, “I haves anothaw Gwandma?”

“Yes, her name is Janelle, want to meet h–”

Before I can finish Alexa climbs down and runs flat out and we all laugh, “Brace, Mom, brace.”

Alexander is there just as Alexa launches her little body at my mom. Mom was ready though and takes the force like an old pro and picks her up like she’s done it a thousand times before. I suppose she has really, having two little girls of her own, they come over and sit down next to me in Alexa’s seat and she is looking between the three of us and gets tears.

“Oh, honey, why are you crying?” Mom asks.

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