"What's Midol for?"
"Midol is medicine for women and it's specially made to treat the symptoms of your period."
"So it's different than just Tylenol?"
"Yeah. And you don't have to take anything if you don't want to, but it's nice to keep around just in case you need it."
"Like if I get cramps?"
"Yeah."
I found the Midol and threw it in the cart, then headed toward the clothing. We picked out a new package of underwear and a few swimsuits she liked, and then I pushed my cart toward the ice cream and threw a few cartons in as well.
"We'll need that later," I promised.
As we headed toward the checkout, I tried to impart all my womanly knowledge. "Always look for a woman cashier if you're embarrassed to buy pads. You shouldn't be-it's a part of life for everybody-but it's okay if you are. If there's a woman working, go to her line. If you can't find a woman, find an older man, they usually know what's up." We found a nice woman who rang up all our items and even though Ruby looked embarrassed and as red as a tomato, the woman never gave away whether she'd figured out our situation. I felt for Ruby though and remembered those moments where you were sure everyone on the planet knew you were on your period. After I paid, I took her to the restroom and was glad to see the private family bathroom was available. I took her in, got her situated, explained how the pad adhered, then I stepped out to let her take care of it.
A few minutes later, a shy and slightly embarrassed Ruby emerged.
"Everything all squared away?"
"I think so," she said with a shy smile.
"All right." I took the bags from her and we walked out to the car. As I buckled I said, "I'm supposed to take you to your grandparents' house now, but if you'd rather go home and watch movies and eat ice cream, I could be persuaded to extend our girls' day."
Finally, a genuine smile appeared on her face and I couldn't help but smile back.
"That would be awesome," she said enthusiastically.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Devon's number.
"Hey, babe," he said as a greeting, making my pulse speed up. "How'd girls' day go?"
"It went fine, although Ruby's not feeling so great at the moment, so I thought I'd take her back to your house instead of to your parents'. Would that be all right?"
"Of course. Is she all right?"
"She'll be fine, just a little under the weather. Do you think you could let your mother know not to expect her?"
"Sure. Can I talk to Ruby?"
"Yeah, here she is."
I handed the phone to her, giving her a supportive smile.
"Hey, Dad." She paused and I could hear Devon's voice through the phone, though I couldn't make out what he was saying. "No, I'm okay, I just don't feel well." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and gave me another smile. "I will, Dad. Okay. Here you go. Love you too."
She handed the phone back to me and I put it up to my ear.
"Everything all right?" I asked.
"Yeah, just wanted to get a feel for what's wrong."
"Don't worry. I'll take good care of her until you get home."
"I know you will. And thank you."
"Nothing I'd rather be doing today," I said, giving Ruby a wink. "See you later."
"Love you, Grace."
His words halted me. We'd never said those words so blatantly to each other, never over the phone, and definitely never in front of his kids. He knew I was with her, and yet he'd said the words and was waiting for a response.
"Grace," he said again, his voice lower this time. "It's okay. My kids know how I feel about you. If they can't tell by the way I smile when I'm around you, then they picked up on it by the fact that you're always around and always making me happy. It's okay to love me in front of my children."
I sucked in a deep breath, reeling from the whiplash of looking forward to cookies 'n' cream ice cream with a tween movie to facing a monumental moment in my relationship.
"I love you, Grace," he repeated. I took in a breath and answered him as best I could.
"I love you too, Devon."
"I'll see you when I get home. Take care of my girl."
"Always," I said before I could think better of it. I dropped my hand with the phone in it and ended the call. Then, I gave a tentative look at Ruby and, sure enough, she was looking right at me, but I couldn't read her expression.
"Thanks for everything today, Grace," she finally said once we were on the road.
"Anytime, Ruby. I'm glad I was with you and you weren't alone."
"I'm glad you're here, too."
Chapter Nineteen
Devon
My day had been one long battle. I worried about Grace and Ruby and how they'd get along together, then I worried when Grace had called telling me Ruby was sick, and then the traffic to the airport prevented me from picking up Evie on time, which made me late getting Jax. So when we finally arrived home, I was stressed and perhaps a little bit grumpy.
Most of that grumpiness faded away when I saw Grace and Ruby in the living room together. They were both on the couch, leaning in toward the center and each other, each with a big blanket-even though it was ninety degrees outside-and there was evidence of ice cream consumption on the coffee table. I recognized Pitch Perfect on the television and knew it was Ruby's favorite even though I found it a little too mature for an eleven-year-old. She loved it.
Something about the image of Grace and Ruby spending time together made the lump of tension inside me melt away.
"Hey, there're my girls," I said as I stepped inside, carrying Evie's one, small overnight bag. "How're you feeling, Ruby?"
She shrugged and said, "I'm okay." I wasn't particularly convinced by her answer, but I looked to Grace and she was smiling, so I figured everything was all right for the moment.
"Glad to hear it." Evie stepped in behind me and Ruby's face lit up.
"Aunt Evie!" Ruby jumped up from the couch so quickly, all my doubts over her health slipped away. I watched as Evie and Ruby embraced, then turned my attention to Grace, who was rising from the couch. I made my way over to her, my hand wrapping around the curve at her waist and pulling her to me gently.
"Everything all right? With Ruby?"
"Yeah," she replied softly. "Everything's great." She smiled and wrapped her fingers in my shirt, gripping me like she didn't want me to ever let her go, and I didn't plan on it. I leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her lips. It wasn't obscene, but it was more than just a peck. I wanted so much more, but was reminded of the other people in the room when I heard Evie talking to the kids.
"Nate is so excited to see you guys tomorrow! He bought us all matching Disney shirts."
"Why didn't he come with you?" Jaxy asked.
"He had a few things to finish up in Fairbanks, so he's going to meet us at the airport tomorrow since his flight comes in an hour before ours. But he's really looking forward to spending some time with you."
I watched Jaxy bounce with excitement, but Ruby looked more worried than anything else. Something was up with her. I was about to ask Grace again about Ruby, but the smell permeating the house caught my attention.
"Is something cooking?"
"Grace and me made lasagna." Ruby said the words proudly.
"You made dinner?" I asked Grace, looking back at her.
"You had a lot on your plate tonight, so I figured I'd make dinner so it would be ready when you got home."
It was the smallest and most insignificant thing, but it had been years since a woman had made dinner and had it ready for me when I came home. I didn't normally consider myself a caveman, but in that moment, there was nothing sexier than Grace making a lasagna.
"Hey, Grace, it's good to see you again." This came from Evie, who was walking toward us with Jaxy wrapped around her leg and Ruby still clinging to her middle. She held her hand out for Grace to shake, but Grace waved her away and hugged her on the side without any children attached.
"You, too. How was your flight?"
"Long," Evie said on an exhale. "But I got a lot of work done, so that's a bonus."
"Dinner will be ready in a few minutes and hopefully you can relax."
"It's smells amazing."
"Jaxy, take Evie to your room and show her where she's sleeping. And take her bag, too." Jaxy jumped at the chance to help and grabbed her bag, then pulled her down the hall. Ruby, still very much excited about Evie's presence, went with them. I took the opportunity of a few moments alone and brought Grace back in, wrapping one hand around her waist and using my other hand to grip the back of her neck, bringing her lips up to mine.
"You didn't have to make dinner," I said after I'd pulled away, and I loved the way her little breaths panted against my face.
"I know. I wanted to."
My eyes met hers and I couldn't help but just take her in, look at her while her body was wrapped up in my arms.
"I'm going to miss having you next to me tonight," I said, finally resting my forehead against hers. Even though I'd told her there wouldn't be a problem, she insisted on not sleeping here when Evie was staying. She claimed it made her uncomfortable, but I wanted her in my bed. Every night. The only consolation was I knew for the days the kids were in California, Grace would be in my bed and any other room I wanted her in. We'd both taken the weekend off and I planned on spending it indoors and naked.