Page 81 of Embracing the Change

I sat down next to my purse, flicked off my pumps and curled my legs under me.

Jamie made my martini, his bourbon, and he walked my drink to me.

I took it and murmured, “Thank you, darling.”

He stayed standing and sipped his drink before he said, “I’m going to call Judge and Dru, let them know we got back all right, and make sure everything is good with both of them.”

He’d been making a concerted effort not to be overpowering, but definitely to make certain his daughter remained well aware of her place, at the same time keeping his finger on his son’s pulse, not only because he was a new dad, but how that came about.

Thus, I understood his need to do this, and nodded.

Jamie bent and kissed my cheek before he walked away, taking out his phone.

I grabbed my clutch to get my own.

I then sent a group text to my children.

I’m home. Talk among yourselves to find a time, and one of you handle setting up that computer thing so we can all catch up. Kisses, Mother

I immediately got from Allegra, For the last time, Mom, you don’t have to sign off texts.

My lips were again curled when I fired off, The death of manners is the death of civilization as we know it.

As I was hitting send on that, I got from Nico, It’s called Zoom, Ma. Or Skype.

Out of habit, I shivered in revulsion.

I loved to hate my son calling me Ma. It was hideous. He just simply refused to be broken of the habit.

Though, if I was truly honest with myself (which, heavens, about this, I was not), I really hated that I loved it.

I prefer Skype, Allegra replied.

Valentina entered the conversation. We don’t need a Skype for you to tell us you’ve FINALLY made it official with Jamie.

Oh dear.

That, I knew, could be blamed on Cadence. My last and Mika’s only were thick as thieves and just as diabolical.

Wait. WHAT!?!?! That was from Allegra.

About fucking time. That was from Nico.

Right? And that was from Valentina.

Language, Nico. That was me.

So I guess that boat thing wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be. Yeah, Ma? Again Nico.

It was the new baby. Babies make everyone feel lovey. And that was Allegra, which gave me pause, considering she’d been married for several years now, and it was all fine and lovely that Jamie was a grandfather. He was tall and straight and built and virile (I hoped), and his hair had miraculously only silvered just a little.

But I was not ready.

I’ll tell you about it in the Skype. I cut in. And then I sent, Follow directions. Decide among yourselves when, tell me, and I’ll be there.

Love you, Mom, and so happy for you and Jamie. Allegra.

What she said. Valentina.

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