Page 23 of Twenty Years Later

"Nice house," I said, amazed at the difference between his Florida home and mine in Maine.

"Thanks," he said, sighing, as he turned off the car. "Bought it right after my ex Fiona and I got married. To be honest, I'd like to sell it. It's just never really, uh, never really been me."

"I get that." And I truly did. I knew firsthand how hard it was to live with memories.

As we walked up the front path, I felt a flicker of nerves at meeting Alex's mom and daughter for the first time.

Alex took my hand in his and gave me a reassuring squeeze. "I'm excited for you to meet Gabby," he said, opening the front door wide to reveal a lightly furnished living room with a bunch of toys littering the floor.

An adorable little dark-haired beauty came rushing over on her knees, not quite crawling, not quite walking. "Dadadada," she said.

Oh, boy, she was super cute.

Alex hoisted her up, and I felt a tug in my chest at the sight of this man holding his child. A woman who was clearly Alex's mom smiled at me and walked over, hand extended.

"I'm Lisa," she said as we shook hands. "You must be Jayda."

"Wonderful to meet you," I said.

"You too."

We were distracted by laughter as Alex tossed Gabby in the air and caught her over and over. Her shrieks mingled with her giggles, making one of the sweetest sounds in the world. Turning toward us, my breath caught at the light I saw in Alex's eyes, a jolt of electricity shooting between us. Carrying his girl, he started to walk my way, and Gabby held out her hands to me like she wanted me to hold her.

Alex's mom let out a gasp, and I glanced at her as she covered her mouth. "Sorry," she said. "Just Gabby doesn't really do that to anyone."

That made my heart melt, but it was nothing like when she reached out and I pulled her tiny body into my arms. It felt so amazing to hold a little one again. Audrey was getting too heavy to carry, and I missed that feeling so much.

"Hi," I said, whirling around with her as she flashed me smiles. "Ooh, look at those two little teeth you have."

She giggled and held out a chubby finger to my cheek while studying my face. It always struck me how babies could stare at you and seem to figure out your very soul.

As I cooed and danced with this sweet girl who hadn't yet grown into her sass, I felt two sets of very intense eyes on me and glanced up to see both Alex and his mother watching us.

"She's just adorable," I said. Neither one said anything... which was kind of strange. So I returned my attention to Gabby and started chatting with her. Poking her cute stomach, I asked, "What's this? Is that your belly?" I did the same to her arms and legs and tiny toes.

She giggled and giggled and looked at Alex. I started to hand her over, thinking she wanted to go back to him, but she clung onto me and didn't let go.

Lisa cleared her throat. "Well, I guess Gabby likes you," she said, her voice a bit strained.

I touched her button nose. "I like you too."

They were silent a moment longer, then Lisa said, "I'd love to stay and chat and get to know you better, Jayda, but I have dinner plans tonight and need to get going."

"That's too bad, but I understand."

I tried to hand off Gabby to her grandmother to say goodbye, but she wouldn't budge. Lisa just laughed and gave us a big group hug. Then she went over to Alex and embraced him too, whispering something in his ear that I tried in vain to hear.

She grabbed a nearby bag and headed for the door. "Nana loves you," she said, waving at Gabby.

I helped Gabby wave back, and then Lisa was gone.

Turning to Alex, I said, "Well, your mom seems really nice."

He nodded, and I couldn't read the expression in his eyes. I realized he hadn't spoken a word to me since we'd entered his house.

"Are you all right, Alex?"

He let out a deep breath and nodded again. "I'm fine. Really."

---