I grin and return the squeeze to her hand. “You look pretty good yourself.”
And she does, better than she’s looked in years it seems.
She gives me a one eyebrow quirk. “That’s what having your dad behind bars and plenty of solid rest and rehab will do for you. I have some really good reasons to keep it together. I think this time, it’ll stick. ”
Her gaze travels around the room, landing on Rachel and darting back to me.
The music slows and I give Mom a hug and kiss her on the cheek. I lean closer to her ear, so only she can hear. “Yes, and soon you’ll have another reason.”
* * *
Later, I place my hand over Mo’s and we slice the cake. Weird, all these traditions. But I told Mo whatever she wants.
She smiles up at me, eyes shining. I slide my hand around to her belly, cupping the almost imperceptible swell there. Her body has changed since I first touched her, but my desire for her hasn’t waned in the least.
We smile for the photographer.
I whisper, “I love you, Mrs. Jennings.”
She leans against me. “I love you, too.”
Rach stands on the sidelines, waving at us with my chubby blonde’s tiny hand. Little Katrina’s dimples shine, and her one tooth glistens while slobber rolls down her chin. Before long, my little green-eyed charmer will be the big sister, not the baby.