Page 71 of Second Goal

Free.

“You’re getting so big.” Kiley places the giftbag she brought on the coffee table, and I can tell she’s struggling not to scoop the girl up and hug her. “I brought you something.” She looks at Heather. “I hope that’s okay.”

Heather nods, then says to Lucy, “Go see what it is.”

Lucy slips off her mom’s lap and hesitantly walks toward Kiley, taking the bag and pulling out the brown stuffed rabbit.

“It’s a wabbit,” Lucy says, hugging it to her chest.

“I gave you one just like it when you were born.” Kiley swipes at her eyes again, and I see the tears pooling there, tears that she can no longer contain.

“Why are you sad?” Lucy looks up at her.

“I’m not. I’m just... happy.” Kiley smiles at her, and it’s a real smile. Full of hope, relief, and love. “I’m so happy, Lucy.”

“Why?”

“To see you.” She leans forward, forearms on her thighs. “And I’m happy that you have a good mommy and daddy. They love you very much. I can tell.”

Lucy grins at her. “Mommy is the best singer in the whole wide world.”

“She is?”

Lucy nods animatedly, and the two of them fall into an easy conversation that eventually leads to cookies and milk in the kitchen. I stay in the living room with Jeremy and talk sports, letting the girls have their moment.

An hour later, we’re saying our goodbyes, and I see a lightness to Kiley’s step that I haven’t seen before. It’s like she’s been released from a burden, the heaviness of guilt gone from her eyes.

“Please, stop by anytime,” Heather says.

“Thank you.” Kiley hugs her like she’s known the woman for a lifetime. “Thank you for giving Lucy the life she deserves.”

By the time we’re walking away, both women are in tears, and even I’m choked up.

In the car, I don’t push Kiley to talk. I’ve learned that she’ll open up when she’s ready. When I first met her, my only intention was to keep her safe, to protect her. It’s still one of my main goals, and it always will be. But it’s so much more than that now. If I can do one thing right in this world, it’s to make sure she knows she’s loved.

And God, I do love her.

I glance over and take her hand, my chest squeezing with all the emotions that build there every time I look at her.

She gives me a smile, one that lights up her whole face.

“You okay?” I ask.

“Better than okay. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Thank you for that.”

“I’m glad we were able to find her.”

“She’s doing so well. Heather seems like a wonderful mom. I think Lucy really has a chance...” Her eyes go distant and she looks out the window. “It’s crazy...”

“What is?”

“How being surrounded by the right people can break you or lift you up. I’m not sure I believe in fate, but it seems like Lucy ended up where she was supposed to.” Her hand flutters to her belly. “I just hope I don’t screw this up.”

“You’re going to be an amazing mom.”

Her lips lift slightly, but I see the worry in her eyes. “I don’t know anything about being in a normal family.”

I grunt. “Is there even such a thing as a normal family? Our baby is going to be loved, that’s all that matters.” I pull the car to the curb in front of Kane and Brynne’s new house and put it in park. “And that you’re happy.”

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