Page 130 of Sven

“But there is something else I want to talk about today. Now we all know and agree all you need to be a family is love and love comes in all different ways, but there are some people who think there is a right way and a wrong way to love. There are people who think this book is scary because it challenges their views on what love should be, on what family should be. But I’m here to say there is room for all of us and who and how we love. We are all welcome. What do you think, Natalie?”

She smiled up at him and looked into the camera. “I agree. There is no wrong way to have a family. That is why I read this book to my kindergarten class in October.”

“Did you know there are people who are banning books like this? They are taking them out of schools and libraries because they are so scared about being different.”

He paused and looked right into the camera.

“I’m here to say there is nothing to be afraid of. Love is love, and it is okay if it looks different. I am opening a division of the Roper foundation to fight book banning. It is important for people to see themselves in books. We need that representation. We all deserve love, and we all deserve to see that love reflected back to us in the stories we read.”

Natalie’s mouth dropped open as she turned to her grandfather, who smiled warmly at the camera.

“What you ya say, Natalie darlin’? Wanna join me in the fight to keep these books and fight hate?”

“Yes.”

“There will be links in this video so you can get involved and help to keep these important stories in your community.”

He sat up. “So, like I always say, read a book today and tell someone you love them. Now, please help us in our fight to save these stories.”

“And cut,” said a voice behind the camera.

Natalie looked up at her granddad with the awe and respect she always had. “What did you do?”

“I did just want I said. I opened a new branch of the foundation to fight book banning. I would love you to be a part of it. But if you would like to continue teaching, I totally understand that, too.”

“Thank you so much, but I’m not sure if I can be a teacher again.”

“Natalie,” he said as he put his arm around her. “Darlin’, the first thing I’m doing is making that awful school take it back, so you can be a teacher again.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course I am. Next time, don’t go through the organization. Come straight to me.”

She hugged him and breathed him the smell of laundry detergent and peppermints. “I will,” she said, her voice muffledin his cardigan. “I love you. Thank you.” She pulled back from him and wiped the tears that had started pooling in her eyes.

“It looks like your gentleman over there is patiently waiting to talk to you. He seems like a nice young man.”

Natalie chuckled. “Well, I’m not sure if he’s a nice young man or not, but I’m crazy about him.”

“Well, why don’t we go back to your house and meet his sweet little girl and have the dinner he promised?”

“I’d like that.”

Later that night, once her grandad was back on a plane to Alabama and Winnie was all tucked into bed, Sven and Natalie settled into bed together.

“It’s been a crazy week,” he said, holding out his arm for Natalie to settle down into.

“It has.”

“Your granddad is incredible,” he said, rubbing her arm.

“Yeah, he really is.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to teach again?” Sven asked.

“I hope, but I’ll have to get a license to teach in New York.”

“Yeah, you gonna stay?” he said, biting back a grin.

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