“Hi, honey. How are you?”
“That’s a good question. Is Dad there?”
“Yes. We’re in the living room.”
“Then put your phone on speaker. There’s something exciting I have to tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“Vic asked me to marry him!”
Her parents sounded overjoyed. They knew how much she loved him.
“We haven’t made any plans because he’s out on a case and might not be back for a while, but I had to tell you tonight. I guess it’s no secret that I’ve loved him forever. He and Jeremy are my heart.”
“We couldn’t be happier,” her dad told her. “What does this mean for you in terms of work?”
“Well, I won’t be accepting either of the Houston job offers now. Vic’s work is here in Austin. With it being summer and Jeremy out of school, I’ll be taking care of him. In the fall I’m thinking I could get a part-time job as a chemist here in Austin. But it’s all really up in the air. Are you two ready to be grandparents? He likes you both a lot already. Since Vic lost his parents, it’s going to be especially important for Jeremy to bond with you.”
Her father’s voice broke when he said, “We can’t wait to welcome that cute little fellow into the family.”
“Your sisters are going to be thrilled for you,” her mom chimed in.
“Just think. Jeremy’s going to inherit two more aunts and uncles and some younger cousins. He’s so cute. Did I tell you Vic bought him a miniature horse the other day?”
“You mentioned that,” her father said.
“Yes. It’s brown with white spots and so tiny it’s absolutely adorable. Jeremy named it Daken. It follows him around everywhere when they go out to the pasture.”
“Why don’t you bring Jeremy over tomorrow?” her mother said.
“I will, but I’ll call you first.”
“Is he thrilled?”
“He doesn’t know yet.”
“When are you going to tell him?”
“In the morning. I can’t wait. Now I’d better let you two get to bed. I love you.”
“We love you. Good night and congratulations. We couldn’t ask for a finer son-in-law-to-be, as if you didn’t know.”
There was no one like Vic. “Good night.”
She’d barely hung up when Jeremy came into her bedroom. “Well, hi. Couldn’t you go to sleep?”
“No. Can I get in bed with you?”
“Why don’t we go back to your room and I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”
“Okay. Who were you talking to?”
“My mom and dad.”
She followed him into his room. He climbed under the covers while she sat on the bed next to him. “Do you miss them?”
“I’ll always love them, and I miss them if I haven’t seen them for a while.”