Page 19 of Breathe Again

“Coming!” I yelled back from the sunroom.

I bustled over to see Bex, her hands full with dessert, surrounded by her man and her kids. It was still a surprise to see her like this. So much had changed in such a short time.

She’d only met Rhys the summer before, having been a widow for seven long, lonely years. By Christmas they had moved her in completely, and now they were getting married. She’d been coming here alone for so long, yet this tiny, chaotic tornado she currently traveled with suited her much better.

“Auntie Merry!” Amelie squealed, heading my way.

Amelie’s little arms curved around my hips, and she pressed the side of her face against my stomach. She squeezed me and took a deep, happy, breath. I peered down at her, my hand stroking back her pale blond locks. She had a sweet smile on her little face.

“Hello, little queen. You’re having a good day so far?”

She released me. “Yep! What are we doing today?”

I was going to have to spend some time on Pinterest gathering new activity and art ideas to keep things fresh.

“Snowmen. We are making indoor snowmen.”

“How?” She asked, drawing out the ‘ow,’ her blue eyes comically wide in her small face.

“You’ll see. We’ll go there in a minute as soon as I help Bex unload.”

“Mommy,” she stated.

“Mommy?” I asked, confused.

“Not Bex, Mommy.” She confirmed.

“Well,” I laughed. “She’s your mommy, not mine!”

She smiled, satisfied. Every opportunity she could, she liked to confirm that Rebecca was indeed her mom. I was happy to give her that in any way I could.

“Hey, big man,” I greeted Cole. He was almost past the hugging hello stage, but he usually gifted me with at least one before they left.

“Hi, Auntie Merry.” He smiled, dropping his boots and coat in the hall. “What are we doing today?”

I laughed. “I’ll meet you in the sunroom. Just looking, no touching, until I get there, okay?”

“Yep!”

“Indoor voices for Olivia, please!” Bex called after them.

He nodded and was gone, Amelie trailing behind him.

Rhys winked hello, then he and Zale headed to the kitchen to grab a beer and claim the best tv viewing seats.

Bex was already in the kitchen, rooting around in the fridge to make room for the dessert she brought.

“Oh, Bex!” I was amazed at what she’d done. “What is it?”

She lifted the lids proudly. “Sugar cone cannoli, and ricotta lemon cake.”

“Oh my gosh, they look incredible!”

She nodded, pleased. “They turned out okay!”

“Better than okay!”

“Smells good in here,” she commented, lifting the lid, and waving the steam toward her nose. “Mm. Yummy. You’re such a good cook, Merry.”

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