My mother had told me a few times about when my parents met. I could
n’t imagine my father being rude to my mother or vice versa. They’d had a rocky start. My mother had also been very honest about her previous boyfriend and how he’d abused her. I was shocked at first when she told me. She was the strongest person I knew.
Her words replayed in my mind. “Sometimes, Liza. It’s what breaks us down and makes us feel weak that builds us up and makes us stronger than before.”
My father dipped my mother as she giggled. “I love you, too, Layton. So very much.”
He took her hand in his and spun her around a few times before pulling her back in. She laid her head on his chest and they danced in silence.
I felt someone behind me and looked up to see Jase smiling as he sat down. “They sure do love each other, don’t they?” he whispered.
I nodded my head. “Jase, do you think we’ll find someone to love like that?”
“I hope so, Liza. I hope that you never settle for anyone less than you deserve. You need someone like Dad.” He turned to watch my mother and father. “A guy who’d look at you with admiration and love like Dad does Mom.”
I linked my arm with Jase’s. “The same goes for you, Jase,” I whispered. “You deserve a girl who knows she’s damn lucky to have a guy like you.”
He smiled bigger. “I just hope she loves football.”
We both giggled. My parents stopped dancing and turned toward the stairs.
Looking at us with a stunned expression my mother asked, “What in the world are you two doing up?”
Jase nudged me and said, “Watching two amazing people share a special moment.”
The smile that spread across our parents’ faces was one I’d never forget.
My dad laughed and said, “Come on, let’s open presents.”
My mother spun around. “Layton! It’s two in the morning.”
Looking back at us, my father winked. “So what? The gangs all here.”
Jase and I jumped up and ran down into the living room, flopping to the floor in front of the tree. My mother laughed and started for the kitchen.
“Well, at least let me make our traditional hot chocolate before everyone digs in.”
Jase got up and followed her. His arm around her shoulders, he said, “I’ll help.”
The rest of the night was spent drinking hot chocolate, opening gifts, and laughing. Jase and I both say it was our favorite Christmas ever.
THE DOORBELL RANG, pulling me from my memory. I laughed and looked down at my stomach. “We’re going to have memories like that, too, little one.”
I headed to the door thinking it was probably a delivery from Amazon. I’d ordered some art for the baby’s room that was scheduled to arrive today. But when I opened the door, no one was there. When I looked down, I saw a flower box on the porch. I looked up and down the street. No one was walking away or driving off. That’s weird.
I picked up the box and headed back into the kitchen, where I set it down. When I opened it up, I gasped at the long-stem red roses. I took the card out and read the note:
My hands shook as I dropped the card. I grabbed my phone and texted Walker.
Me: I got another note. It was with a box of roses.
Not even a minute later, Walker texted back.
Walker: I’m on my way home.
WALKER AND DADDY stood in the kitchen. Walker handed the card to my father.
“There’s no way of telling where they came from. No florist, no nothing,” I said, pacing back and forth. “It’s Keith. It has to be Keith.”