Mommy Loves The Military Man

after the wedding. There was food and cake and even some dancing.

“Thanks for inviting me to the wedding.” Lizzie’s friend Skylah stared around the room with her eyes wide. She was new in Lizzie’s English class. Lizzie had been assigned as her buddy to help her get used to Clara Barton Elementary. Lizzie loved to listen to her talk. Skylah was from Australia and said words like mum for mom and brekky for breakfast. It was way cool.

But Skylah didn’t have a dad. She had been adopted two years ago and her new mom brought her to the U.S. last month. They were only supposed to live in St. Judith until summer break, but Lizzie hoped Skylah wouldn’t have to go back to Australia. She really liked her.

Mariana leaned in from the other side of Skylah. “Wasn’t it great? It took a ton of work for Lizzie and me to get them to meet each other, much less fall in love. We can help your mom find someone, too.”

Skylah frowned. “I don’t know. My mum’s already going out with this guy. If she marries Noah, she won’t have time for me anymore.”

“No way,” Lizzie said. “Don’t you want a dad?” She had been wanting one since forever… and now she had one.

“My dad back in Australia was really mean to me.” Skylah’s gaze hit the floor.

Marianna and Lizzie looked at each other, and together, they leaned in and hugged Skylah. Lizzie squeezed her new friend extra tight. “Not all dads are bad. If you want Noah to be your dad, just ask us how. We’re experts now. Let me tell you what we did.” Lizzie and Mariana put their heads together with Skylah and shared all of their tricks to make their parents fall in love.

If it hadn’t been for them, the grownups would never know what to do.

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