Page 78 of Remember Me
“Daddy, it says: I hope you’ll wear my surprise next year in Paris with your daddy and me... A million kisses.”
An awed smile lights Finn’s face as Maddie eagerly tears off the paper and opens the box. Unfolding the delicate layers of tissue paper, she beholds my surprise—a last minute Etsy purchase that I couldn’t resist. Her eyes grow round as saucers and her jaw drops to the floor.
“Mon Dieu!It’s an outfit just like the one Madeline wears in the books.” She holds up the royal blue coat and then the wide-brimmed yellow hat.
“Scarlet, can I put them on?”
“Of course, my sweet girl!” I watch as she shimmies into the coat and slips on the hat. Though the coat’s a little big for my petite girl, she looks totally adorable in it.My Madeline.
“Come over here, sweetie. I’ll button it for you.” With a cheek-splitting grin, she skips over to me and I help her with the buttons. Then, I tie the red bow that accents the white collar.
She looks up at Finn. “Daddy, do you like it?”
“I love it.” He shoots me a dazzling, dimpled smile that makes my heart melt. “C’mon, sunshine. You’re dressed perfectly to go outside.”
“Outside?”
“Yes, that’s where my present is.”
Exchanging a conspiratorial wink with Finn, Rosita offers to clean up.
Perplexed, Maddie and I follow Finn outdoors. He leads us down to the beach. And there it is shimmering in the moonlight. I gasp.
A magnificent white stallion that’s been made up to look like a magical unicorn—complete with a sparkling pink mane and tail and a rainbow cone—just like the one I drew. Maddie must have shown him the picture. I don’t know how my gorgeous husband pulled this off. He never ceases to amaze me. My heart is overflowing with emotion. And love.
My little girl is as blown away as I am. “Daddy, it’s a unicorn!”
“Uh-huh. He’s come for your special day. Tomorrow, he will return to his kingdom.”
“Can I pet him?”
“Of course.” Finn lifts her up and she gently strokes his neck.
“Daddy, he’s so sweet and beautiful. Scarlet told me unicorns are magic!”
“They are. Come on, let’s go for a ride.” He sets her on the sequined blanket draping the horse’s back and then takes the reign, slowly leading the noble creature along the beach with me by his side. He takes my hand in his, every cell in my body lighting up like the stars above us.
Together, we stroll along the black as night ocean to the lull of the white-crested waves softly ebbing and flowing beneath the celestial sky. The silver moon is full, smiling down upon us.
My eyes mist as the magic of this moment fills every atom of my being.Narnia. I never want this day to end.
I make a wish. Then a vow. I can’t lose my husband and daughter again.Ever.
They aremyunicorns.
CHAPTER 48
Skye
The magic of last night carries over to the next day. While I don’t see Finn, who’s had an early start in his studio, Maddie and I have a wonderful school session. Moving on to a new science unit about the solar system, we’ve delved into some Greek mythology and constellations. She’s obsessed with Pegasus, the winged white horse.
Leaving Maddie with Rosita for her afternoon snack, I get a text from Finn.
Please come to my studio. Need your help. Also want a Maddie progress report.
Surprised, I immediately reply:On my way.
My heart pitter-patters. Despite living here for almost a month, this is the first time I’ll set foot in his studio. Something I’ve so wanted to do. And the timing to give him an update on Maddie’s progress is perfect.