Page 96 of Worth the Fall

I wondered how the hell we’d gotten so lucky.

It was a kind thing for her to say, to even think about.

“Can I show you something, Miss Brooklyn?”

“Of course,” she answered, and we both watched as Clara hopped down and rushed away.

“She looks so much like Jenna,” I breathed out once we were alone.

Brooklyn nodded. “I was thinking the exact same thing.”

“Is that weird for you? Uncomfortable in any way?” I asked because we didn’t really talk a lot about Jenna other than that one night.

“No. I feel bad that Clara never got to know her mom. And I don’t want her to forget her either. If it were me, I would want to be remembered.”

“So, the pictures in the house don’t bother you?” I’d wanted to ask her that before, but it never seemed to be the right time. The topic would have come up out of nowhere and been forced or felt awkward.

“Not at all. Honestly, I thought I’d be more jealous, which I know sounds irrational and immature, but I don’t feel that way at all. Like I said, I think it’s important that Jenna is remembered and that Clara knows her mom loved her and wanted her.”

“Thank you,” I said before closing my mouth over hers before Clara cleared her throat.

“Hi. This is my favorite picture of my real mom.” Clara shoved the framed photo of Jenna that she kept in her room toward Brooklyn.

Brooklyn grabbed it with one hand and smiled. “It’s a really pretty picture.”

“See her lipstick?” Clara pointed at Jenna’s glossy pink lips.

“I do.”

“It’s my favorite, and you made my lips look just like hers. Thank you,” she said before taking the picture back, and I was hit with an idea.

“Clara, can you hold the picture up next to your face so I can take a photo for Grandpa and Grandma?” I asked, referring to Jenna’s parents.

This would be a nice surprise for them on a day that I knew was still filled with pain. Holidays tended to be the worst when you were missing someone.

She did as I’d requested with a big smile, and I texted them both the picture, hoping it would make them happy, before Clara disappeared again, most likely to bring the picture back to her bedroom.

“If my ladies are finally ready to go, you know Pops and the uncles are waiting for us,” I announced because we were definitely running late.

“I’m ready.” Clara jumped and bounced around. “Jasper will be there, right?”

“I don’t think Uncle Patrick goes anywhere without that dog anymore.”

“Just like Uncle Matthew doesn’t go anywhere without beer,” Clara said before giggling because she knew she was saying something naughty.

“Don’t forget the pies,” Brooklyn shouted as we all ran down the stairs.

If she hadn’t mentioned them, I definitely would have forgotten. I hustled toward the kitchen, opened the fridge, grabbed the two boxes from The Sweet Life Bakery, and followed my girls toward the garage.

“Let’s go eat!” I shouted.

The two of them repeated my words right back to me, and I wondered how my life could get any better than it was right now.

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