Page 120 of Left Behind

“Ava just told me the same thing. I am so outnumbered in this house,” he said.

“You should never worry about that. Something tells me when we have babies, they’re all going to be mini versions of you.”

Wiley’s eyes narrowed. The idea of making babies with her was an enticing vision of the years stretching out before them, but he was curious. “Why would you think that?”

She shrugged. “Just a hunch.”

He rubbed his thumb across her ring finger, then kissed the back of her hand. “Love you, Linnie.”

“Love you more,” she said.

Then Ava bounced into the doorway. “I’m ready!”

Linette turned. “Oh, honey, how pretty you look, and I’m ready, too. I don’t know where Bubba’s taking us, but it sounds like a celebration.”

“We’re going fancy. Eating in the high-end restaurant at the Serenity Inn, where B.J. works. He knows we’re coming, so let’s get this show on the road,” he said.

***

As they were walking through the lobby of the Serenity Inn, Linette pointed to the rock wall and the fountain beneath.

“Wiley, let’s get someone to take our picture in front of the fountain! I want to send it to Mom and Dad.”

Ava’s heart skipped. More people to let into her world? It was getting crowded. But she said nothing as Wiley turned to look for someone to take their picture, just when Ray Caldwell, the hotel owner, approached.

“Wiley…Linette…good to see you outside of work.” Then he looked down at the little blond between them. “This must be Ava. Brendan told me about her coming to live with you.”

The moment Ava heard her name, she took a slight step closer to Bubba’s leg.

“Welcome to the Serenity Inn!” Ray said. “Your brother Brendan told me you were coming. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Would you mind taking a picture of us?” Wiley asked. “We’re celebrating tonight, and we’d like to mark the occasion.”

“I’d be honored,” Ray said, and took Wiley’s phone, then waited while they moved to the fountain. “Tell me when you’re ready.”

They stood Ava on the rock bench surrounding the fountain, and then moved into place beside her, holding hands behind Ava’s back.

“Hold that pose!” Ray said, and took several shots before stopping. “Picture perfect,” he said, as he handed back the phone.

“Thanks, Ray. Much appreciated,” Wiley said.

“Always. Enjoy your evening,” Ray said.

Wiley immediately pulled up the pictures and thought, My first family photos.

“Send those to me,” Linette said. “I’m going to pick one and send it to Mom and Dad.”

“Will do,” Wiley said, and quickly sent the photos to her phone, then showed them to Ava. “See how pretty you look! Which one do you like best?” he asked.

She leaned her head against him. “I like all of them. We look like a family.”

“Because we are a family,” Wiley said. “Now let’s go find that elevator. I don’t want to walk up all those steps to get to the top floor.”

“Miss Mattie’s apartment had an elevator. Her knees didn’t like steps,” Ava said.

Linette nodded. “I’m not a huge fan of steps, either. I run up and down them all day at work, and I like to ride up once in a while. Come on. You can press the Up button for us.”

Ava beamed. “I can do that.”

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