Page 86 of Watching Henry
Hadley came dancing back. “He's fine and sends his regards, and we'd better split or we're going to be late for the party.”
Florence nodded, letting Hadley link her arm, feeling the warmth of her, the comfort of her. She felt so perfect. The space she would leave would be echoingly empty.
“You okay?” Hadley asked.
“Perfectly fine,” said Florence, blinking behind her sunglasses. “And you're right, we don't want to be late.”
THERE WAS A cheer as Florence and Hadley walked into the coffee shop, and then a flood of hugs and kisses as everyone crowded around Hadley to congratulate her.
Eleanor winked at Florence across the room. It had been her idea to hold the party at the shop, and she and Maria, her wife, had done an amazing job with the decorations and catering. Florence reminded herself to write them a thank you note the next day.
“Hadley! You can be our nanny now!” Emily said, clasping Hadley around the legs.
“You're far too old for a nanny,” said Maeve coming to join them.
“And besides, aren't I enough?” asked Ariel, coming up on the other side.
“You're a step mom, not a nanny anymore,” said Emily.
“But you're very nice,” added Charlie, just in case anyone's feelings were getting hurt.
Florence grinned at Ariel. The younger woman was tall and tanned, with short dark hair, and was very, very competent. Florence had had no qualms about leaving the children in her care once Maeve had finally decided to ask Ariel to live with her. Ariel was the perfect balance for Maeve's unpredictability.
“Anyway, if we had a nanny again, it'd be Florence, right Florence?” said Charlie.
“You definitely don't need a nanny again,” Florence said.
“Because we all need to take responsibility for ourselves and our own experiences,” said Henry. He blushed a little. “That's what my shrink says anyway.”
“And she's right,” said Florence. “Look at you, I swear you've grown another foot since I saw you last week.”
“You might actually be able to beat me in a swimming race this summer,” Hadley said. “Which reminds me, do you guys want to go to the waterfall tomorrow? We could take a picnic.”
The twins smiled and even Henry grinned.
“That depends on whether homework is done or not,” Ariel said.
Henry groaned. “Maybe you should come back, Florence,” he joked.
“Florence and Hadley are going to be far too busy with their new jobs,” Maeve said. She turned to Florence. “I've been meaning to get these three signed up, or is Henry too old?”
“No one is too old,” Hadley said immediately. “It's an after school program, so as long as you go to school, you're very welcome. Even the teachers can come if they want.”
“You might not have as many kids as you'd like if you invite the teachers,” Henry said.
Hadley clutched Florence's hand. “We'd better go mingle.”
“Right,” said Charlie. “Just don't forget about the surprise.”
“What surprise?” Florence asked Hadley as Emily kicked her twin.
“Nothing,” Hadley said, far too innocently.
HADLEY DINGED HER fork against her glass. “Order, order!”
The room quietened and Florence watched as her far too beautiful girlfriend grinned at all her gathered friends.
“First of all, I want to thank you all for being here,” Hadley started. “And for supporting me and putting up with me when I was grumpy and studying and generally being a bear to be around. I couldn't have done any of this without any of you.” She raised her glass to cheers.