Page 129 of Sven

Natalie was in her room—well, Sven’s room—getting ready.

“Are you ready to go to the airport?” Sven asked, poking his head in. “Sydney is here to stay with Winnie.”

She gave herself another once over in the mirror. “Yep, let’s go.”

“I can’t believe I’m about to meet Mr. Roper,” Sven said excitedly. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m nervous. Not to see my granddad—I’m excited about that—but for everything else.”

“Both the foundation and Hillary think it’s a good idea.”

“I know, I do, too, but I’m still nervous.”

He stepped into her space and slid his arms around her before dropping a sweet kiss on her lips.

It had been one week since the story broke. It had been a rough week, but they were hoping this would put an end to it.

Natalie grabbed her phone and her purse, and they headed out the door to get her granddad.

After a hug for both Natalie and Sven, they left the airport and headed to the center. Hillary and some of the PR at the foundation had set this up.

“This looks really nice,” said her grandfather as he came into one of the meeting rooms at the center that had been turned into a little set. “Are you ready, Natalie?”

She was nervous, but she was ready.

“Thank you for doing this, Granddad,” she said barely above a whisper.

“I’m glad to do it. For you.” He booped her nose like he always used to when she was a kid. “And to stick it to the book banners,” he said, grinning down at her.

“We have the book on the table ready for you. I thought you could read it and then maybe you and Natalie can talk about it,” Hillary said nervously.

“But I mean, I’m not sure what direction I can offer THE Mr. Roper. You know what to do.”

“Thank you kindly. You’ve done an incredible job here.”

“Thank you,” she said, blushing. Natalie didn’t think she’d ever seen Hillary blush before. Natalie loved to watch the effect her grandfather had on people. It wasn’t everyday people got to meet a national treasure and realize he was just as kind as compassionate as they hoped he would be.

“Are you ready, darlin’?”

“Let’s do it.”

Mr. Roper and Natalie went to sit on the chairs in front of the cameras.

“Hello, friends. It’s been a long time since I talked to you. I brought a very special friend with me today. This is my granddaughter, Natalie.”

Natalie waved at the camera and part of her felt like a kid again on her grandfather’s set.

“What are we reading today?”

“But My Family is Different,” Natalie said, holding up the book.

She sat next to her granddad as he read the book.

When he was done, he looked right at the camera and took a deep breath, just like he always used to. “What an important book that is,” he said in his soft compassionate voice.

“Because it’s true. All families look different. Some families have a mommy and a daddy. Some have two daddies, like in this book, while others have two mommies. Some only have one mommy or daddy, and some people live with grandmas and grandpas. The only thing you need for a family is love. Isn’t that right, Natalie?”

“That’s right,” she said with a big smile, shining up at her granddad.

---