Page 126 of All Too Well
“I want to be in the navy like the Admiral and Grandpa were.”
I crouch down in front of her. “You can do whatever you want when you grow up.”
“I’m going to tell Becky all about the big ship!” she yells and then dashes into the house.
Ainsley comes up behind me. “She had a great time.”
“Your dad came through.”
“When it comes to this stuff, he’s pretty good, and it was great you let Rose see your dad,” she notes.
When we got back to her father’s house, my dad was outside. There was really no way around it. I brought her over to the house, and he had a small box with some of my mother’s things. Then I made an excuse about leaving, and we were on our way.
I look at the door my daughter went through just a moment ago, questioning so many of my choices. “She has so little family. I question if I’m doing the right thing some days.”
“Rose has no shortage of people who love her. Don’t for one second think you haven’t given her all she needs. All I’m saying is that your dad does love her too. He loves you as well. He loved your mother and I think the guilt is eating him alive. You bothhave so much of the same feelings, and if you’d just talk to him, I think you’d see that.”
I’m not saying she’s wrong, but right now, I’m not sure I’m ready. “I’ll consider it.”
“Good. Now I have to get to work. I have another week here, and then I need to give my final draft to my boss.”
While I knew that our time was limited, when she says it, my stomach drops.
One week.
Seven days and then she’ll go back to New York and I’ll be here.
Six nights where I can have her to myself before I have to let her go.
twenty-seven
Ainsley
It’s just past ten and Lachlan and I are curled up on the couch together. So many things about this simple moment cause an ache in my heart.
The first one being that we could have this. Nights like this, days like we’ve had already, could be our normal. The second being I would do it for him.
I would walk away from the career I’ve worked for and figure it out. I just don’t know how to tell him that without him fighting me on it.
Which is exactly what he’ll do.
“Are you ready for bed?” he asks.
I nod. “Bed sounds good.”
We both get to our feet and head back into his room. After our nightly routines are done, we climb into bed, and he’s staring at me.
“What?”
“You’re beautiful.”
I smile. “Well, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself, Sparky.”
He rolls his eyes. “If you ever call me that around anyone, I’ll have to kill you.”
“I don’t think you have it in you.”
“Try me.”
