Page 69 of The Love We Make

Nora helps things along by putting her hand over mine. “Your mother and I are in love.”

I could die right here and now. And I’m slightly concerned about the stunned silence. It never happens when my family is together. Even the grandkids are shocked into silence.

“Don’t all congratulate us at once.” Nora breaks the tension—again. I didn’t know she had it in her but, in the end, she is a performer. I don’t blame her for calling on her acting skills to get through this. In fact, I love her even more for it.

“Is this a joke?” Jennifer glares at us. “You and my mom? That’s just… not possible.”

“Why not?” Austin’s tone is combative.

“Of course, you knew.” Heather shoots daggers at her brother.

“Girls, please.” Nora gets up and stands next to me. “This is not bad news. And yes, Jennifer, it is very much possible.” She folds an arm around my waist and pulls me close. If the girls weren’t still absorbing the shock, I’d kiss Nora right in front of them.

“But you’re Nora Levine,” Bobby stammers. “And Mimi is my mother-in-law.”

“So?” I love how Nora’s not taking any of their antics. To think I was considering telling my kids without her. But I never would have guessed she’d be like this—so proud and open. “I hope you’re not questioning my taste in the people I fall for.”

“But Nora,” Jennifer says. “I thought you were, um, like me.”

“Being self-partnered is out of fashion already.” I do wish Austin could be a bit less obnoxious to his sisters sometimes, but he’s probably just blowing off steam. He’s kept my secret beautifully.

“Babe. Come here.” Juan pulls Austin to him. I witness how he shoots a quick wink at Nora. “Time for you to butt out of this,” Juan says to Austin. “Let your sisters process in peace.”

“How long has this been going on?” Lauren seems to regroup the fastest. “Were you already together when we came to your house?” There’s no more room for deference toward Nora. It’s inquisition time.

“No, but it started not long after,” Nora says.

The memory of that massage still sits at the forefront of my mind—and we’ve made so many new, thrilling memories since.

“What’s happening?” Wyatt yells. He’s amped up as though he just ate the most sugary donut in the universe.

“Granny and Nora are, um, a couple. Like me and Daddy,” Heather says.

Wyatt scrunches up his face. “But granny’s so old,” he says.

I can’t possibly be offended by my grandson. Instead, I crack up.

“She’s not that old,” Bobby says.

I am rather offended by that.

“Your granny’s a fabulous woman,” Nora exclaims. She doesn’t have a natural way to talk to kids—not like Imani—but I definitely like what I’m hearing.

“We just wanted you all to know,” I say. “Shall we eat now?”

Nora and I take our seats at the table. Heather, who’s next to me, leans over.

“I’m so happy for you, Mom.” She plants a kiss on my cheek.

“Me too, obviously.” Jennifer is always quick to follow on her twin’s heels.

“Of course, we’re happy.” Lauren raises her glass. “I’m ecstatic that Nora Levine is going to be my stepmom.”

“Nora, Imani, and I are crashing your St James Thanksgiving next week,” Juan says. “So you all better get used to the idea by then. Nora’s not the only new addition to this family, you know.”

“Imani’s coming!” Wyatt balls his little fist. “Yessss!”

“See.” I lean into Nora’s ear. “Everyone’s happy.”

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