Thank you so much for reading Return to Us. Grayson and Jessica’s story touched my heart. One of the things I loved most about him was his love for Amelia. She was so much fun. This was a scene I originally had planned to end the story with, but then chose to write the other. And, well, Jack and Stella … just … yeah. So, here is the scene. I hope you enjoy it and are ready for Could Have Been Us!
Grayson
“I have to do what with your hair?” I ask Amelia as she sighs dramatically.
“Daddy, you have to put the ponytail up high.”
“It’s at the top of your head!”
Kind of. I mean, it’s at least on her head. That’s something, right?
Of all the days for Jessica to have a follow up doctor’s appointment in Charlotte, it’s today. She offered to change it, but I told her I would be fine. Her sister and Delia went with her so they could go look at wedding dresses after.
I figured it would be no big deal and they’d be home in time, and if they weren’t, I would handle this. I’m Amelia’s father, and I’ve done this for almost five years without any issues.
Little did I know that this recital business isn’t for fathers and the ponytail she needs is specifically placed.
Amelia turns quickly, her eyes narrow, and I’m slightly terrified of her. “Daddy, you said you could do it. I have to look like a sugar plum fairy with a big smile, makeup, and glitter on my face. Mrs. Butler said that if my hair isn’t all the way at the top—and perfect with no bumps, I can’t dance.”
I hate that woman.
“Okay, well, we’ll try again, and worst case, I’ll beg Aunt Stella to come.”
She groans. “Call her, now, please.”
Ye of little faith. Now I’m determined. “Sit, and if I can’t get it in five minutes, you can call your aunt.”
She holds out her hand. “What?”
“I need your phone.”
I put it down in front of her, and she swipes up, putting in my password I need to change, and goes to her favorite game.
Okay, I got this. I’m a fireman, a father, a soon-to-be business owner, and my fiancé taking longer than expected to find a wedding dress isn’t an obstacle.
I am totally able to do her hair.
At the eight minute mark, I realize there’s not a chance in hell I can do this.
“Call your aunt.”
Melia sighs with relief and presses Stella’s photo.
“Hey, Gray.”
“Hey, listen, I need your help.”
“With?”
“My hair,” Melia answers for me.
Stella giggles. “I can’t come help, I’m with Jess.”
“Shit!” I curse.
“Daddy! That’s a bad word.”
I look at Amelia in the mirror. “Forgive me this once.”
“We’re about thirty minutes away, Gray. Winnie is driving as though she has a lead foot, so maybe half that.”
Tears form in Melia’s eyes. “But I’ll be late.”
“No you won’t, sweet girl.”
“I’m not even dressed yet.” Her lower lips trembles.
Oh, no. Not the tears. I can do anything but when this kid cries. “It’ll be fine, baby. We’ll get you dressed now and then the girls can meet us at the studio and finish you up before the time.”
“We’ll do our best,” Stella says and then Jessica grabs the phone.
“Hey, baby.”
I walk out of the room so Melia can’t hear. “Hey. What the hell am I going to do?”
“Relax, it’s okay. What you told Melia will be fine. We’ll be there and get her set before the show. I’m sure there are other mothers there who can help. They’ll take pity on you.”
I huff. “I’m so not meant to raise a girl.”
“And that’s why you’re marrying me.”
“That, and many, many other reasons.” I sigh. “You’ll be here soon?”
“Yes, I promise. The doctor did a few extra tests and that’s what took so long.”
“What test?”
“Just another ultrasound, I guess the results from last week weren’t clear enough,” she explains. “This one was perfect, and everything is great with the baby—and me.”
I let out a loud sigh of relief. “And was the rest of your mission successful?”
“It was.”
Which means she found a wedding dress. “Good. Hurry before Melia cries and I’m really toast.”
“We’ll do our best. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I let out a sigh of determination and march back over to where Melia sits. Her puppy-dog eyes stare up at me.
“Mrs. Butler says I’m improbable.” She tilts her head to the side. “What does that mean?”
I’m pretty sure she means impossible, but I’ll never tell her that. “It means you’re the best.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so because her face scrunches and she looks up when she says it . . . she’s really going to be mad now.”
“No she won’t, I’ll fix it.”
I think.
I hoist her up, kissing her neck as she squeals. “You fix everything, Daddy.”
“I sure wish that was true.” It’s nice that my daughter sees me as her hero though. It’s what I’ve always tried to be. “Even if I can’t, I’ll always try.”
She beams up at me. “You’re the best Daddy in the whole world.”
“Well, let’s see if we can prove that right. Why don’t we get dressed and then I’ll try to find someone to do your hair, okay?”
She nods once.
I help her into her clothes, thanking God that Jessica laid everything out on the bed. I managed for almost five years doing this single-dad thing, but the dance thing was a first.
There’s a knock at the door, and then I hear Josh’s voice. “Gray?”
“In here, Uncle Josh!” Melia yells.
He walks in and I can see the rush of relief in Amelia’s face. I must’ve been doing worse than I thought. “You came!”
I look over at Amelia, and she shrugs.
“She sent you an SOS text?” I ask my brother.
He laughs. “She sure did.”
I sigh. “Well, help would be appreciated.”
“How the hell do you want me to help?”
“I don’t know, but she called you.”
“I thought maybe you were stuck or needed me to open something,” he explains.
“Nope, she needs her hair done.”
Josh’s eyes widen as he looks at his niece. “You thought I was the best to help?”
Amelia shakes her head, clearly exasperated. “I need Jessica or Auntie.”
“Well, kid,” I say lifting her into my arms. “That isn’t possible. So, you got us.”
She grumbles and starts laughing when Josh starts to tickle her.
She’s as ready for the recital as I’m going to be able to get her, which is a disaster since I’m not even sure this costume is on right. As though Melia can read our thoughts she huffs. “Let’s go and get help.”
“Good plan,” I say and grab the spare pieces that are on the bed.
This year, the recital is at the firehouse. Since we just rebuilt, and had a large auditorium added on, it’s less than a two minute drive.
The relief I felt at getting here early vanishes. Josh and I are like two lost souls as we stare at the chaos. What the hell is this?
It’s like fabric threw up all over the firehall. There are little girls running around, mothers yelling at them, and Mrs. Butler growling at anyone in her path.
“Avoid her,” I say to Josh, pointing at Mrs. Butler.
Amelia grips my hand. “We have to go to room C.”
“What is room C?”
She shrugs. “Mrs. Butler said to come see her.”
“No, we’re not going to do that.”
“Melia!” I hear Jessica’s voice, and I turn to find her rushing toward us, Stella, Delia, and Winnie behind her.
“Jessica!” Amelia ditches me like I’m two-day-old news and heads to Jess.
The two of them hug, and Jess looks her over before she glances at me and glowers.
I tried, I mouth.
She smiles. “Not well.”
I wink, and she pulls Amelia to the side. She and my sister start fixing the crap I did. Stella straightens her tutu, which I didn’t know had a front and back, but apparently, it does.
“There’s a tag, the tag goes in the back,” Stella notes when I reach them.
“Josh did that,” I explain.
“I did not! You had her dressed.”
“Not how I remember it.”
He laughs. “Whatever.”
“How about I put your hair up so we can get the bows in?” Jessica asks.
“Daddy tried, but it was lumpy.”
She nods as though it is no surprise. “So is his brain.”
“What does that mean?”
Stella giggles. “Your daddy is a smart man, but his brain, like all men’s, is a little lumpy.”
“Right? And what would you know about men and their brains?” I ask with sarcasm. My sister doesn’t date. She’s notorious for being single and refusing to give her time to anyone. She hates the idea of someone messing up her life.
“See?” Stella asks, pointing at me. “Lumpy brain.”
Jessica works on getting Amelia ready. After a few seconds, she taps her nose. “There. Perfect.”
Amelia looks up at me with a smile. “You fixed it, Daddy.”
My eyes widen. “Me? I messed it up.”
She rushes forward, wrapping her little arms around my legs. “You didn’t, you brought me a Mommy.”
I lift her up, careful not to rumple her costume, and kiss her cheek. “I think you got the best one in the world.”
She nods and Jessica wipes a tear. “I agree.”
I set Amelia on her feet, and she takes Josh’s hand. “Come on, Uncle Josh, take me to room C.”
“Be sure to check in first,” I tell him and then wrap my arms around my fiancé.
“I’m so weepy,” she says with a laugh as another tear falls.
“It’s because I make you so blissfully happy.”
She laughs. “That must be it.”
“Thank you for making it in time.”
The sigh that leaves her chest rumbles a bit. “Winnie is a psychotic driver, and I kissed the ground when we got here.”
“You saved me.”
Jess’s hands move to my face, moving my gaze to hers. “It’s you who saved me, and I couldn’t love you any more than I do.”
“Good thing we’re preparing to spend a lifetime together then.”
“It sure is.”
I kiss her, and then we both laugh as Mrs. Butler lays into my brother.
Next up is Jack and Stella! There is nothing I can say to prepare you for their story. It took me by complete surprise. You have NO idea what’s coming. That’s all I’m going to say. Jack is freaking amazing. Stella is a spitfire and they have quite a bit of explaining to do . . .
