Page 126 of Born to Make You Smile

She released a hum. “Fine. You’re a grown man. I can’t stop you. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“You’ll see. In time,” Gavin said softly. “You'll see how incredible Grace is for our family. How much our love will prevail.”

“Let’s pray to God you’re right,” Lorraine said.

Upon hearing the clicking of heels coming closer, I quickly darted into the bedroom next door. I waited until Lorraine descended the stairs, then I emerged to see Gavin seated on the bed, looking at the floor, his hands braced on his legs.

“Hey,” I said from the doorway. “You okay?”

“Grace, love. Where did you come from?”

“I was outside the door.” I walked in, taking a seat next to him on the bed.

“The whole time? Please don’t tell me you heard me and my sister.”

“Yes. But I’m so glad I did. You really stuck up for me there. For us.”

“Of course I did.” He wrapped his arms around me, then kissed the top of my head. “I don’t have one single doubt in my mind about us. And I don’t want you to worry about Lorraine. She’ll come around. Hopefully. But even if she never does, we know who we are and what we have together.”

He squeezed my body tighter, and I released a blissful sigh. Then he pulled back and gazed into my eyes.

“She doesn’t realize how much of an impact you’ve had on us over the years,” he said with a warm grin. “How much you’ve helped. Sure, I had my family to lean on after Judy’s passing, but for the most part, I was on my own. I doubted myself. My ability to parent as a single father. And it’s been painfully difficult. But with you around, the weight of the world is lifted. I feel whole in a way I’ve never felt before. You mean everything to me, Grace. I truly believe that you’re my soulmate. And while we were brought together in love by unfortunate circumstances, we managed to push through, and heal. We were able to find true happiness in each other’s arms.”

***

About a month later, I watched from the backyard as the excavator demolished my mother’s house.

“Grace,” Gavin said, his hand on my shoulder. “We don’t have to watch this. Just come inside.”

“I need to see it.”

“You’re sure?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Many tears were shed as I watched the roof and walls come down, but I knew it had to be done. Several hours later, the workers took a break for the day before getting to the basement level. Gavin was in the garden, and the girls were hanging out, playing on the hammock I’d set up between the trees.

I went to the front, and I noticed an Asian family, a man, woman and their daughter, standing on the sidewalk, a safe distance from the demolition. I wondered if they were the new owners. The couple looked to be in their midthirties, their daughter around Mackenzie’s age. And when the woman turned, I noticed a significant bump filling out her pink sundress. She had to be at least six months along.

“Hello,” said the woman, waving at me excitedly. “I’m Kim!”

“Hi,” I said, waving back. “I’m Grace.”

“You live here?” She pointed at Gavin’s house.Our house.

“Yes. With my fiancé and his two daughters.”

“Great! We’re the Kwaks. We bought the place next door. Well, what’s left of it.”

I smiled politely, deciding not to share the details of my history quite yet. I didn’t want to make them feel bad. Or God forbid, start to cry.

Kim introduced me to her husband, Ben, and their ten-year-old daughter, Violet.

She caressed her belly. “And this little guy is due in two months.”

“Congratulations!” I cheered.

“Thanks!” She motioned a thumb to Ben. “We’re living with his parents until the house is done.” Then she leaned into my ear. “Let me tell you.Never again.”

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