Page 130 of Our Long Days
With all my love,
Dad
Sobs wrack my body. The ache in my chest is sharp. Arms catch me.
A mother’s embrace.
She holds me until the shaking stops and the pain ebbs.
“I thought he forgot about me,” I wheeze.
“Oh, Florence.” My mom squeezes tighter. “He’d never forget you.”
It’s here, with the summer coming to an end, that I finally find my way.
Not because of a list. Not because of Dex. Not even because of a letter from my father.
Because I stopped fighting myself.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
dexter
NEW YEAR’S EVE
“Okay, everyone. Huddle together,”Claire instructs, face hidden behind Ted’s old Polaroid camera.
Someone steps on my foot. I jam an elbow into Booth’s rib “accidentally.” A hand I hope belongs to Florence squeezes my ass.
“Perfect. Say cheese.”
Looking like a pack of sardines in a tin, we pose for the camera, gritting out “Cheese” through our teeth. I definitely blink when the flash goes off. When my vision clears, we break apart.
“Who farted?” Quinn gags.
Johanna raises the bundle in her arms up to her nose and winces. “I found the culprit.”
Baby Madeline doesn’t flinch at the accusation, snoozing away peacefully in her mother’s arms.
“Oooh, stinky butt,” Lottie coos at her little sister.
We’re at Our Place for the annual New Year’s Eve party. The guests are due to arrive in a few hours, but before the celebrationskick off, Booth took his old position behind the pass and cooked us all dinner.
There’s plenty to celebrate.
Quinn and Graham got married in November.
A week later, Johanna and Patrick welcomed their daughter into the world.
Booth and Aly closed on their house in New York.
Florence finished her first semester of night classes at the local college.
And we finally nailed down the plans for our home.
The streets outside are white, red and green lights twinkling from the street lamps as a fresh dusting falls from the sky. Construction on the cabin won’t commence until the snow clears, but we’re hoping to be complete by August.
Slender arms slink their way around my waist. Even in the winter, her coconut scent remains.
