Page 166 of Gracefully Yours

Part of me—a big part—wanted my babies back. There were no more nights spent cuddling with the five of us on the couch, or Disneyland trips coated in sugar just to see them smile or hug Mickey Mouse. The last time we’d all taken a trip to Disney World had been when Ellie was still in high school.

“Darling.” Daniel ran his thumb over my cheek, catching wetness I didn’t even realize was there. When had I started crying? “It’s okay.”

I gave him a smile, holding back the tears that threatened to spill over if I said anything more. My heart swelled with love for my kids. I was so proud of them. But it was time for them to go off and have their own adventures. Find their own love stories. Start their own families. Was it too soon to ask for grandchildren?

Abigail was almost the age I’d been when I’d married Daniel. Maybe I just missed having babies around. There’d been so many for years, with all of us growing our families together. I couldn’t have imagined doing it any differently.

We filed out of the arena as the ceremony ended, following the graduates outside the building.

“Mom,” Abbi whispered to me as we searched for a hint of blonde in the crowd. A sparkly blue cap. “Were you crying during the ceremony?”

“I think I’ve cried through every single one of your graduations, honestly.” Even when they’d each graduated from kindergarten. But that might have been because they were so cute in their tiny hats. “I can’t help it. When did you all get so grown up?” I pinched at her cheek, and she swatted me away, laughing.

“Mom,” she groaned, swatting me away playfully. “We love you.” My kids didn’t hesitate to tell me every day. Even now, I hardly went a day without a call or texts from both daughters. Beau checked in weekly, even when he was on the road.

“Let’s go find your sister,” I said, resisting the urge to pull her in tight and not let go.

She squeezed my hand before pushing through the crowd, and by the time we found Ellie, our whole family gathered around her, showering her with love.

“Proud of you, sis,” Beau said, handing her a bouquet.

Abigail pulled her into her arms and whispered something into her ear.

“Congratulations, El.” Daniel wrapped his arms around our daughter. “I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She hugged him back, and I watched as Daniel held her tighter.

Just one more minute,he’d used to say. I didn’t think he’d ever let his baby girl go, but eventually, she came over to me.

“Mom,” Ellie breathed, running into my outstretched arms.

“Hi, sweetie pie. Look at you. My little graduate.”

Her friend called her name, and she gave us a small smile. “Be right back, okay?”

“Remember when that was us?” Daniel wrapped his arms around me as we watched her hug her friends, take photos, and say goodbye.

I laughed. “How could I forget?” I’d been the one trying not to cry at his graduation, too. And he’d been there for mine. Sure, his sister had graduated with me, but I’d always been grateful to have all my best friends by my side that day.

Finally, when she came back over, Daniel looked at our family. “Everyone ready for the party?”

* * *

My daughter scanned the room,gown now unzipped to show off her light blue dress that was cut to her knees, the scar there on display, for once. When she scanned the room, I knew she was looking for someone who wasn’t there.

“Ellie.” My voice was barely audible, a gentle whisper.

“He was supposed to be here, Mom.”

“I know.” We all knew who she meant.

The only member of our big extended family who wasn’t here tonight. Noelle gave me a sad smile from across the room. She knew, too.

You know when you’re growing up, how you dream about you and your best friend having daughters who are best friends? I’d never thought it would actually happen, but that was the funny thing about life.

Noelle’s daughter, Penelope, had graduated today too. She was nine months older, born in October to Ellie’s July, but she’d missed the school cut-off, so they’d almost always been in the same class. And they’d been best friends since birth.

Penelope’s red hair caught the light as she talked to Ellie. She’d inherited both her mother’s looks and personality. Her love for reading and writing was evident since she was a little girl. She was fortunate enough to have her dad still teaching at the university, which allowed her to get her degree in English for free. Now, she’d started working on her own novel.

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