After the spasm finally subsides, I read several more entries, the time jumping from when the babies were a month old to just over a year. It’s lovely to see how the kids grow and how Anna and Jack’s relationship strengthens on the pages. They remind me so much of Lincoln and me. I’ve always considered our relationship one of a kind. Our love is so strong and all-consuming and special in a way many people aren’t lucky enough to find. I love that Anna and Jack seem to have that same kind of love.
I’m sitting on the porch as I’m writing this, watching Jack run around after the children in the yard. I love hearing them laugh and play with their father. They both have him wrapped around their little fingers. My father and mother came by today. Jack isn’t the only one the children have wrapped around their fingers. My parents dote on and spoil them. It’s adorable to watch them together. My parents’ visit wasn’t only to see the children. My father came to inform us that he’ll be taking a step back from the factory. He’ll still be there, but more in the background. He thinks Jack is ready to take over, and wants to give him more of the reins, to see how well he does on his own. He and Mom struggled to get pregnant with me, and it didn’t happen until they were in their late thirties. He still has plenty of years left in him, but I think Dad is tired and wants to finally relax. I think Jack is ready too. He’s worked so hard to get to this point. I couldn’t be more proud of him for everything he’s accomplished, and I know Dad is just as proud.
“Wow. That must be some book you’re reading there.”
Surprised, I jerk my head toward the doorway and see Lincoln and my best friend, Jenna, standing there, a wide grin on her face.
I screech and launch myself from the couch, running straight for her. We collide, both laughing in each other’s shoulders. We hug for a long time before we break apart.
“How are you here? You weren’t supposed to come until next week?” I ask, still amazed I’m looking at my best friend that I haven’t seen in almost two years. It’s really good to see her.
Lincoln, who must have come inside some time or another and let Jenna in, is standing behind her. “I’ll let you two catch up alone before the kids realize you’re here.” He grips Jenna’s shoulder. “It’s really great seeing you, Jenna.”
She leans over and kisses his cheek. “It’s good seeing you too.”
She turns to me, grabs my hand, and pulls me to the couch, where we plop down. “Bryant finished the project he was working on early. When I mentioned my impatience to see you, he suggested we go ahead and come.”
“I liked the guy after you told me how great he is, but now I love him.”
“I’ll make sure to tell him that. He’s looking for all the brownie points he can get with you and Lincoln.”
I laugh. “I don’t think he has any worries there. You always look so happy when we FaceTime. I think he has a lot to do with that.”
She smiles, and it’s much brighter than it was the first few years after Dillon died. “Yeah, he does make me happy.”
I reach over and squeeze her hand. “I’m glad. Where is he, anyway? And better yet, where is my beautiful Violet?”
“I imagine checking in at the hotel right about now. We took two separate Ubers. I didn’t want to waste time going to the hotel first. He offered to take Violet with him so you and I could have some alone time first. They’ll be over in a bit.”
“Wow,” I say, my brows jumping up. “I remember a time when you were reluctant to bring Bryant around Violet. What’s changed?”
She looks down at her hands for a moment before pulling her eyes back up to me. “Violet,” she says gently. “She knows all about Dillon. I’ve made sure to talk about him a lot to her because I want her to know what a wonderful man he was. But I worry she’s missing out on a lot by not having a father figure in her life. Bryant is wonderful and has been so patient with me. It’s been almost a year since we started seeing each other.” She shrugs. “I figured it was time.” Her eyes light up with her smile. “He’s truly amazing with her, Molly. I swear he treats her like she’s his own daughter.”
Happy tears prick the back of my eyes, and I reach over and hug her. Jenna is one of the best women I know, and she deserves all the happiness in the world. I’m so glad she found someone who will give her and Violet that.
“I’m so happy for you,” I tell her, pulling back. “You deserve this.”
She nods, her chin wobbling. “For a long time, it didn’t feel right to even think about being with another man. It almost felt like a betrayal. But after a while, I realized Dillon wouldn’t want me to live like that. He’d want me to be happy. Even if that happiness came from another man.”
Her words remind me of the conversation Lincoln and I had a while back after we found out Betsy Young died. I told him I wanted him to move on if something were to ever happen to me. I didn’t know my fate at the time, but I meant those words. I still do. He claimed he could never move on from me, that I was the only woman for him. His mother agreed in the kitchen when we talked after dinner weeks later. As much as it hurts to think about him being alone for the rest of his life after I’m gone, I understand. If the roles were reversed, there’s no way I’d ever find anyone that came even close to what Lincoln and I share. I truly believe what we have is a once in a lifetime kind of love. I could try to be happy with someone else, but I know deep down I wouldn’t be. So long as I had my kids, I could live my life content with the knowledge that Lincoln and I would one day reunite in Heaven.
“You’re right. Dillon loved you fiercely. But if he couldn’t be here to make you happy, he’d want you to find someone else who could. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“I’ve told him all about you, and Lincoln and the kids. He told me on the flight over here that he felt like he already knew you.”
I laugh. “Well, then he’ll have an advantage over us. Someone’s been pretty tight-lipped about him.” I smirk.
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t sure if it would work out, and I didn’t want to jinx it.”
“But you’re sure now?”
She nods, a slow smile forming on her face. She leans closer to me and whispers, “He asked me to marry him.”
“What?” I screech. “When? How am I only hearing about this now?”
She giggles as she reaches inside her purse and pulls out a ring box. Flipping the lid, she plucks out a gorgeous cushion cut diamond engagement ring and slips it on her finger.
I snatch her hand to me so I can take a closer look.
“It just happened three nights ago. I wanted to wait until I got here to tell you in person.” Her eyes twinkle. “I hid it in my purse until I could tell you because I know you would have spotted it a mile away.”
“You know me so well. I would have definitely noticed that rock on your finger. It’s beautiful.”
Her cheeks flush as she stares down at the ring admiringly. “It is, isn’t it.” She looks up. “But I would have been happy with anything.”
“You love him.” It’s a statement, not a question. Jenna wouldn’t have agreed to marry him if she didn’t love him.