Sabrina

I underestimated how much help Lexi would be. We’d finished packing up my belongings, besides accomplishing every other task I had on my list, in record time. Dan said he’d have a professional moving company clear out my furniture and other big items and deliver them to his door. What we’re going to do with them after that is beyond me.

“Well, Miss Lexi, I think our work here is just about done.”

“What about all the other stuff?”

“Your dad is going to hire someone to come get it.”

“So what are we gonna do now?”

“I thought we’d stay here tonight and head back tomorrow morning. We should be home by lunchtime.”

“Okay.”

“Do you want to go out, or order in?” I prayed that if she wanted to go out, it would be somewhere other than McDonald’s.

“Pizza sounds good.”

“Great.”

I wanted to talk to her, and I figured having a conversation around pizza would lighten things a bit. A half hour later, we were sitting cross-legged on either side of my coffee table, slices of my favorite New York-style pizza in front of us.

“Lex, can I ask you something?”

She nodded and took a huge bite of her slice. “Is this thing between your dad and me really okay with you?”

“Yeah, it’s okay.”

“You’re sure?” She nodded and took another bite of pizza. “Because if there’s anything you want to talk about, I’d be happy to listen.”

She thought for a minute before shaking her head. “No, I don’t think there’s anything I want to talk about.”

“You’re not worried about me moving into the house, into your life?”

“You’ve been living at the house and it’s been great. I think you’re great.”

“I think you’re great, too,” I said, feeling very maternal. I imagine my face must be beaming like a proud parent. “I’ll be right back. I have something to show you.”

I made my way back to the dining room and retrieved the book I’d found shoved into the back of my closet. Returning to Lexi’s side, I settled in next to her and opened it.

“Is that you and my dad?” Her eyes opened wide.

“Yep.”

Lexi studied the pictures on the first page before moving over to those on the second. My eyes followed the same path as hers, and I smiled. The couple in front of me was so young, so hopeful, so in love. I haven’t looked at this scrapbook of Dan and me in ten years. I almost threw it away a hundred times, but something always stopped me from taking action. Instead, it’s been hidden in a box in the back of my closet.

“You played softball in college?” I nodded. “That’s so cool.”

“It was a lot of fun.” And that was the truth. Besides the thrill of playing and the companionship of the team, the men’s and women’s teams at the college traveled together, increasing my quality time with Dan.

“Is that how you met my dad?”

“Sort of. I worked in the trainer’s room, and we met there.”

“And it was love at first sight,” Lexi sighed dramatically, batting her eyelashes and giggling.

I slapped her playfully on the shoulder.

She flipped through several more pages, silently studying them. “I wish you guys stayed together all those years ago. I wish we were a family all this time.”

I knew the feeling, but after seeing these pictures again, I realize how young Dan and I actually had been. Maybe we wouldn’t have made it if we stayed together back then. And, most importantly, Lexi wouldn’t exist if we hadn’t broken up.

“We’re together now, and that’s all that matters.”

She nodded. “I guess you’re right.” Then her eyes widened and she pointed to a picture. “Daddy used to keep this picture in his nightstand.”

I glanced over her shoulder to see what she was talking about. Dan and I smiled, frozen in time forever, his arms wrapped around my waist, his cheek brushing mine. It was the first picture we had taken as a couple, and Dan kept it on the nightstand next to his bed the entire time we dated.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“I’m sure. I found it one day and asked him about it, but he never really answered me. The next time I went looking, it wasn’t there.”

“When was that?”

“Last year.”

I couldn’t hide my shock at that revelation. No matter what Dan said, I always had trouble believing he’s been pining for me for the past ten years. But if what Lexi said is true—and I have no reason to believe it isn’t—he has been.

I couldn’t stop the warm, fuzzy feeling that stole through me at the knowledge. Suddenly, I couldn’t wait to return home to Dan so I could tell him how much I love and trust him, and how I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him.