Page 102 of The Problem with Falling
What a way to showcase love through generations.
“And how’s Mama doing?” Laurelin asked.
Nathan’s eyes released his tears as he smiled. “A fucking trooper. You should’ve seen it. She handled it so well. She’s…everything. She’s fucking everything.”
All of Nathan’s brothers headed over to him and pulled him into hugs and congratulated him. Yara and I did the same, along with Laurelin and Dad. As I glanced around the room, there wasn’t a dry eye to be seen. Including Theo, who stood back a little as he took everything in.
I walked over to him and nudged him in the arm. “Is that water in your eyes or allergies?”
He sniffled slightly and cleared his throat, wiping at his eyes. “It’s just nice, that’s all. To see a family who’s so…close. I hadthat with my grandparents and with Jensen, but you all have so much of it. That’s nice. I bet your holidays are amazing.”
“They are my favorite reasons to come back home.”
“I hope you never forget how lucky you are.”
Oh, Theodore…
My gentle giant.
We all tookturns to see Avery. Since the babies were in the NICU, we wouldn’t be able to visit them for a while, but I was so grateful to see my sister. As Yara and I walked in with balloons and flowers, Avery smiled our way.
“Hey there, superstar,” I said, setting the flowers on a table. I then walked over to the left side of her bed, and Yara moved to Avery’s right side. We both placed our heads against her shoulders. I combed the hair out of her face. She looked exhausted but happy. “I’m so proud of you, Ave.”
“You did it,” Yara said. “You brought two babies into this world.”
Avery sniffled a little and closed her eyes. “I was so scared.”
“I know you were, babe. But it turns out you can still do hard things when you’re scared.” I kissed her forehead.
“I know it’s silly, but… I just wish…” Avery sighed. She shrugged her shoulders ever so slightly, and her words faded away.
Yara and I both knew what she’d wished, though. Because I’d been thinking it since the day I took my first breath.
I wished Mom were there, too.
Yara smiled, holding back her own emotions for a moment before her tears started falling. “Sterling and Riley are going to feel her love in everything you do, big sister. I promise. And evenmore…you have her smile. So they’ll see her every single day when you smile at them.”
“And maybe Auntie Willow can stick around a little because she has Mama’s eyes,” Avery said as she yawned.
I kissed her forehead. “It’s been a long day. You get some rest. We’ll come back tomorrow to check on you.”
“Okay, thank you.” Avery yawned again. “Yara, if Alex wants to make me a medium steak and some sushi rolls, I wouldn’t hate him for that.”
“Noted.”
We kissed our sister good night, then walked out to find Theo and Alex waiting for us. I said good night to Yara and Alex, telling them I’d stop by tomorrow to hang out with Teresa a little.
Once all goodbyes were said, Theo glanced at his watch. “So what’s there to do on a Saturday night in Honey Creek, Illinois?”
I grinned and rubbed my hands together. “Boy, oh boy, there’s so much I could show you. What do you want to see?”
“All the places that made you…you.”
CHAPTER 35
Theo
She showed me everything.
