Page 8 of Surprised By Love

“That’s an understatement.” I shake my head. “She hasn’t stopped talking about it all week.”

Vicki and I head up with suitcases and a few totes in hand.

“This one! It has to be this one,” Amelia screeches.

Amelia is jumping up and down in the doorway that belongs to my old room.

“Why that room?” I look at Vicki. “I figure I would’ve had my old room back.”

“Well, I thought you might want one of the bigger rooms, and it would be nice if Amelia had your old room.”

“You got a point there. It’s the smallest. I was always mad that you guys had the bigger rooms.”

“Momma, come see.” Amelia grabs my arm.

“Hold on, pumpkin, let me put these down.” I place the totes in the hallway, then take Amelia’s hand. “Okay, show me your new room.”

Amelia pulls me into her new bedroom and my mouth drops open.

With the white vanity, the open trunk overflowing with dress-up clothes, and stuffed animals everywhere, it’s a room fit for a pint size princess. The closet doors are open, showcasing a rack full of clothes, the tags still on them.

“Look, momma, look!” she says, grabbing the stuffed unicorn from the foot of the canopy bed adorned with pink and purple bedding.

I turn to Vicki, who’s standing in the doorway with a huge smile on her face.

“Wow!” I whisper in disbelief. “Vicki, what did you do? You didn’t have to do this? This is way too much.”

“Nonsense.” Vicki grins. “I wanted to make this transition as easy as possible. I know it’s been hard the past year, and I wanted to make things a little easier for you both.”

“Oh, Vicki.” I walk over and hug her tight, as a single tear falls from my cheek.

“Ahh!” Vicki screams, pulling herself away. “You’re cold and wet!” We look at each other and laugh.

“How about you check out your room, then take a shower? I have sandwiches ready downstairs. I figured you might be hungry and I’ll make you tea, try to warm you up a bit. Or would you like a coffee?”

“Actually, a coffee would be great.” I pause for a moment. “What room did you put me in?”

“Jess and Becca’s old room. I figure it’s the biggest room other than Grams, which is now mine. I thought you might like to have some space.”

“Thanks, sis.” I smile and turn to look into Amelia’s room. “You be good in here. Momma’s going to have a shower and change.”

“Kay,” Amelia says, rummaging through the dress-up trunk without a care in the world. Vicki went a little overboard, but whatever makes my daughter happy right now, I’m all for it.

I open the door to my new room, dragging my suitcase behind. Shocked at the light grey walls that welcome me, but I shouldn’t be surprised Vicki redid this room as well. I make my way to the most beautiful queen size sleigh bed I’ve ever seen, gently sliding my fingers down the light grey velvet finished headboard.

Smiling, I take in the royal purple shaggy pillow and matching throw at the foot of the bed. The storage bench at the end of the bed and two side tables all match the wood of the bed. It’s hard to believe she did this.

I gasp when I turn and see a forty-inch flat screen television mounted above a matching dresser. Derek didn’t want televisions in the bedroom. I can’t wait to curl up into this cozy looking bed and watch my favourite shows while I fall asleep.

I walk to the window, running my fingers over a small table beside a light grey velvet armchair and ottoman that matches the bed. Vicki thought of everything. She knows how much I love to read. How did my sister ‌do all this? I glide my fingers over the dark grey curtains, gazing out the window, picturing Amelia riding her bike up and down Ann Street like we did when we were her age.

“Everything alright?”

“Huh?” Vicki’s voice startles me. “Oh yeah, everything is perfect. When did you have time to do all this? Honestly, we would have been fine with the old furniture.”

“I had some help from a few friends. I can’t wait for you to meet everyone. And besides, it’s not every day your baby sister comes back home.”

“Have I ever told you, you’re the best big sister ever!”

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