He shook his head. “I kept this and my tie.”
“Your tie?” I repeated.
“It was a nice tie. I still wear it.” He grinned, then became serious again. “Mia has carried that bear with her every day since. She loves every gift you have ever sent her.”
Every gift? All these years?
It had been Holly’s idea to try to keep some form of communication open with Mia. I thought it was a waste of time, but she had insisted, and every year, we sent Mia a gift and a card at Christmas. Simon owned his own investment company, so we sent the package to his office. He had been the only person even remotely kind to me that fateful Christmas, and I had thought he was the best chance of making sure the gifts were accepted. I had no idea until now if the gifts were received, but Holly wanted to keep sending them. Deep in my heart, I’d hoped Mia got them and knew that out there was someone who loved her, even if she couldn’t know me.
I blinked. “I don’t understand.”
“I know. But I’d like the chance to explain. We’ve come a long way, and I’m hoping you’ll be open to seeing her—to listening to my story.”
I was on information overload. I had no idea my sister was divorced. The only information I had heard about my family was my brother had died in a drunk driving accident years ago and my father had retired not long after. Both pieces of news I had discovered via the internet. No one had reached out or let me know. I’d had no contact with anyone in my family since that disastrous trip home at Christmas years prior.
Holly squeezed my waist. “We’d love to meet her, wouldn’t we, Evan?”
“Yes,” I agreed, realizing how I must look. “I would love to meet her.”
Simon smiled, his shoulders relaxing. He walked to the car and opened the back door, handing the bear to Mia inside. “Come on, sweet pea. Uncle Evan wants to meet you too.”
Mia climbed out of the car. Small, with hair as dark as mine and eyes like her father’s, she clung to his hand, looking nervous. “Hi.”
Holly walked forward, smiling. She bent down and kissed Mia’s cheek. “Hi, Mia. I’m Holly, Evan’s wife. This is our son, Brandon.”
Mia grinned, dimples appearing in both cheeks. “He’s cute.”
Holly winked. “We think so.”
Mia looked past her toward me. My heart sped up at the look of vulnerability and uncertainty on her face.
My feet propelled me forward, and I stopped in front of her. “Last time I saw you, I held you on my knee. You were such a little thing. We shared a few moments together on Christmas.”
She smiled. “My dad told me. We have a picture at our house.”
“You do?” I glanced at Simon.
“I snapped it when no one was looking.”
Huh. Another surprise.
“He said you came to see me that year.”
“I did.”
“I wanted to come and see you.”
I held out my arms, smiling. “I’m glad you did.”
She flung herself forward, and I caught her. She barely came past my waist and her arms didn’t reach around me, but she held on tight.
I bent low and kissed her head. “Hello, Mia.”
We went inside, chaos ensuing for the next while. Hannah woke from her nap, Angela came home, and there were a lot of questions and activity until things settled somewhat and we could talk.
Holly made coffee and brought out some of her homemade cookies. The kids were in front of us, talking, playing, and eating their snacks. Angela was fascinated with Mia, staring at her cousin with instant adoration. Hannah was a little shyer but stayed close, making sure she could see Holly from her place on the carpet. Brandon slept in his carrier, not interested in much expect his full tummy and the cookie he gummed, falling asleep with it half eaten and hanging from his mouth.
“She was so excited to meet you,” Simon murmured.