Chapter 25 #2
It’s one of the few things Heath and I can’t agree on when it comes to the baby.
He’s ordered stacks of baby name books, I’ve spent hours scrolling through online videos for inspiration, and we’ve searched the internet, but nothing has felt right so far.
I’m hoping once she arrives and I hold her in my arms, the right name will finally click.
Although given our history, we’ll probably still be bickering about it up until the hospital staff insists we put a name on the birth certificate so we can be discharged.
“Florence has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” she remarks smugly. “Much better than plain old Kay, don’t you agree?”
I hold out a finger in warning. “No way am I getting in the middle of this debate again.”
I made the mistake last week of trying to play mediator and learned my lesson the hard way when Grams refused to speak to me for a whole hour because I agreed with Florence that Eleanor had a better ring to it than Margaret.
So, I’m not staying away from having an opinion on their names with a ten-foot pole.
“I have all the confidence that you’ll make the right decision.” Florence smirks, setting her empty glass on the end table beside her. “Just be sure my namesake is cute as a button. None of that wrinkly turtle or stubby potato nonsense.”
“I’ll go ahead and whip that order right up for you,” I deadpan.
“I knew you wouldn’t let me down,” she exclaims, clapping her hands together. “Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room before your grandma shows up.”
I frown. “And what might that be?”
“Your piss-poor attitude today.” She grimaces as she shifts in her chair, transferring her weight to her good hip. “All this moping around is going to carve wrinkles into your face quicker than a cheap knife through butter.”
“I’m not moping,” I mutter.
“What do you call checking your phone every five minutes and sulking when you obviously didn’t see the notification you were hoping for?” Florence counters.
I blow out a breath, casually sliding my phone under my thigh. “I was hoping Heath had sent me another message. I really miss him.”
She rolls her eyes. “No shit. You can play the tough, independent woman all you want, but you’ve got it bad for that hunky husband of yours.”
I let out a weak laugh. “Well, yeah. We’re married.”
Florence levels me with a knowing look. “Please. You might’ve fooled Kay, but you can’t fool me.
I don’t know the exact reason, but there’s definitely more behind you two getting hitched, and I don’t think it’s because you two were together beforehand.
” She shamelessly calls me out. “Now you’re struggling with the inconvenient truth that you’ve fallen in love with him. ”
I scoff, heat crawling up my neck. “I think you’re losing it, old bat.”
I decide against bringing up the epiphany I had earlier at the ranch. The next time I confess my feelings out loud, it’ll be face-to-face with Heath. Besides, I can’t resist a chance to rile Florence up.
“I’m eighty-six, it comes with the territory.
” She makes a circling motion next to her temple with her finger.
“Doesn’t mean I’ve lost my common sense.
That’s why I won’t let you sabotage your relationship.
You’re too damn stubborn for your own good.
If something brings you joy, you have to grab it with both hands, or you could miss your only chance at a once-in-a-lifetime happiness,” Florence adds.
“Like how an ostrich Kelly bag would bring you joy?” I tease.
“Exactly. Then I can die a happy woman.” She winks.
I bite my lip to keep from spilling the beans.
She has no idea her dream is already in motion.
One of my estate sale contacts in California recently acquired an extensive Hermès collection, including an ostrich Kelly 25, and was willing to trade it for a rare nineteenth-century French provincial armoire I’ve been sitting on, waiting for the right buyer to come along.
My contact has arranged for the bag to be delivered by courier, and it’ll be here within the next couple of days. I’m anxious for Florence to see the surprise, knowing she’s going to absolutely lose her mind in the best way possible when she sees it.
I glance down the hallway in time to see a group of residents filing out of their workout class. I spot Grams immediately, her hand looped through the crook of Willis Owens’s arm, laughing brightly at whatever he’s said.
“You’re not the only one who needs to get out of her own way,” Florence points out. “Your grandma has been in love with that man for over three decades, but like you, she’s been too damn stubborn to drop her guard and go after what she wants.”
Grams has sacrificed so much for both my mom and me.
Romance was always at the bottom of her priority list, and it couldn’t have been easy.
If even a small part of her wants to be with Willis, she should stop holding back and seize the opportunity.
I agree with Florence that she deserves a real shot at happiness, and it’s about time she stops playing it safe and goes after what she wants for once.
Guess it’s a good thing I’ve finally decided to take my own advice and go all in with Heath, or I’d be a hypocrite for wanting her to chase after her happily ever after when I was still too scared to go after mine.
I reach over to give Florence’s hand a squeeze. “Grams and I are lucky to have you looking out for us.”
She pats my hand, snorting. “Lucky? I’m practically a saint putting up with you two.”
“Thank god for that,” I beam.