Page 13 of A Forever Love
“Good morning, everyone.” Clem pokes her head in, her hand curling around Dad’s waist. She glances at the twins and then at me before bursting into giggles. “There’s a reason I have a lock on my vanity.”
“And you forgot to mention that to me?” I arch an eyebrow.
“What else are little sisters for if not to steal your makeup?”
“You can rummage through my stuff anytime, sweethearts.”
The moment the words escape my lips, my sisters throw themselves at me, their delighted squeals mingling with mine as we tumble onto the carpeted floor. It feels like the universe has aligned perfectly, and in this moment, all is right in the world. Dad instinctively pulls Clem closer, and they watch us, a mixture of warmth and amusement in their eyes.
If our life were a movie, this scene might be the one on the poster.
Do you really want to leave all this and go to Cherrywood?
A nagging voice inside me questions my choices, but I shove those doubts aside and hold onto my sisters tighter. “Let’s clean up, and maybe Dad can order breakfast from Tiki’s. I’m craving some fried nonsense.”
“I’ll whip up whatever fried nonsense you’d like at home,” Dad says, trying to sound irritated, but it just makes him look even more adorable. “It’s your first morning back, and I woke up early to make you all breakfast.”
“Aww! That’s my cute and grumpy man,” Clem coos, rising on her tiptoes to kiss Dad.
“Okay, girls, that’s our cue to leave.” I gently guide my sisters toward the bathroom.
I enter the dining room ten minutes later, hand in hand with Sage and Poppy, their faces now clean and moisturized.
“Wow, Dad, this looks amazing.” I help the girls into their seats before sinking into my own chair. The table boasts a fresh flower bouquet at its center, a charcuterie board overflowing with fruit, nuts, and cheese, and a jug of freshly pressed juice.
“Just so you’re aware, your dad doesn’t pamper us like this every day.” Clem grins, taking her seat next to the girls. “This spread is exclusively for you.”
“I feel a lot better hearing that. I would’ve been deeply offended if you were feasting like this every morning while I survived on dry bagels and watery coffee.”
“Here you go.” Dad places sunny-side up eggs on my and my sisters’ plates before Clem cuts everything into bite-sized pieces for them.
God, I missed this. I want to freeze this moment in time, to hold onto all the smiles around me.
“Gavin can’t wait to hand over all his responsibilities to you.” Clem’s words yank me out of my daydream, and my mouth fills with something akin to dirt.
“I never thought I’d see the day when Gavin King retired just to enjoy fatherhood. It’s insane.” Dad’s chair scrapes against the floor as he pulls it back and sits next to me. “Has he called you already?”
Crap. I thought I’d have a little more time before I shared my plans with my family. Plans that definitely don’t coincide with everyone’s expectations.
“No, not yet.” I shake my head and then clear my throat. “Um, Dad, Clem…I need to talk to you about something.” The once delectable breakfast now becomes a lump in my throat, challenging to swallow.
A look passes between them, and before I can make out anything, Dad sighs, placing his fork on the table. “I’ve prepared myself, Mere. I know I can’t keep you as my little girl for—”
“I thought I was your little girl,” Poppy interrupts Dad’s cryptic speech.
Sage follows with a pout. “I thought I was too.”
“Girls, not right now.” Clem gives the girls her serious-mommy stare, which I’m not sure has ever worked on them. “We are all Dad’s little girls, okay?”
I can’t help arching an eyebrow. “All?”
“What?” Her grin is no smaller than a Cheshire cat’s, stretching from ear to ear. “Keith called me his little girl just last night.”
“Okay, Clem! You don’t have to be so explicit. He’s my dad.”
Dad and I groan at the same time before he turns his attention back to me. “Don’t listen to her. You know she likes to tease me.” He shakes his head and throws Clem a penetrating glance. “Someday you’ll give me a heart attack.”
I bite my lip, hiding my smile. Clem is the only one who can disrupt Dad’s calm, and she enjoys every second of it.