Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kim had been hugging Holly for what seemed like endless minutes, not showing any signs of letting go.
“You’re going to miss your flight,” Holly said over Kim’s shoulder.
“I don’t care,” Kim whined. “I still have to meet my mountain man anyway.”
Holly’s laugh was crushed by Kim’s embrace. “Well, then, you have a good reason to come back for a visit.”
Kim finally released her. “I’ll definitely be back.”
She held her arms out to Nick, who had been waiting patiently nearby. Holly could almost see the fear in his eyes as Kim dragged him in for a hug.
Cupid paced around them, glancing up at Nick to check that he wasn’t being attacked.
“Nicky, you’re amazing. You and Holly are so perfect together.” Kim stepped back and tilted her head. “Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you for coming,” Nick replied. “I know it wouldn’t have been the same without you, and I’m pretty sure you’ve got an open invitation to come back.”
“I’ll give you a heads-up so you can maybe round up some of your best-looking single buds to, uh, keep me entertained.”
Nick nodded. “You’ve got it.”
Kim extended the handle of her rolling carry-on. “All right, you crazy kids, I’m off. Happy New Year. Love you.”
Blowing kisses before she turned, Kim strutted off toward her gate.
“Well.” Nick put his arm around Holly. “Silverwood’s going to be much quieter now.”
Holly playfully elbowed him, but she had to agree.
Holly’s suitcase lay open on the bed. Packing shorts, tank tops, and bathing suits felt strange when it was snowing outside.
In the evening, she and Nick would be flying to Jamaica for their honeymoon, but first, they had to drop off her mom for her flight back to the Philippines. Holly felt like a regular at the airport, having just taken Kim a few days prior.
Holly went into the hall and peeked into her mom’s room. She caught Vivian placing cash under a candlestick holder.
“Mom, what are you doing?”
Vivian jumped at the sound of Holly’s voice. “You scared me.”
“Sorry. But why are you putting money on the dresser? I can’t decipher what kind of message you’re trying to send.”
Vivian laughed. “No. I can’t use dollars. You keep them.”
“You could hold on to them for your next visit.”
“But I don’t know when that will be.”
“Don’t say that.” Holly frowned. “It’ll make me sad. Just say you’ll be back soon.”
Vivian hugged her. “I’ll be back soon.”
The sound of the front door opening broke their embrace.
“Nick’s home.”
Holly and Vivian made their way to the living room. Cupid ran up to greet them, sniffing and panting, happily wagging his tail.
Vivian crouched to pet him. “Oh, I’m going to miss you, too, my friend. Thanks for keeping my feet warm every night. I’d invite you to come with me, but it would be way too hot for you.”
As Vivian cuddled with Cupid, Holly made a beeline for Nick.
“Hello, Husband.”
Nick pulled Holly close and pecked her lips. “Hello, Wife.”
“Did you and Cupid have a nice walk?” Holly asked.
“Yes, but someone missed you too much and had to come back.”
“Aww, well, I missed Cupid too,” Holly joked.
“Ha ha.” Nick kissed her once more before releasing her. “Vivi, can I get your bags?”
“Thank you, Nick. They’re in the bedroom. All ready to go.”
“Yes, ma’am. My pleasure.”
The ride to the airport went way too fast for Holly. Her mother had been in Silverwood for weeks, but Holly felt like she had been too busy to have fully enjoyed her visit. After parking and checking Vivian in, Holly wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye.
“It’s a shame we live so far away from each other.” Holly embraced her mom. “Hasn’t anyone invented a teleporter yet so we could just be transported to each other’s places in the blink of an eye?”
“That would be a dream come true.” Vivian laughed. “Then again, you know us older folks and technology. I’d probably complain about not knowing which button to push and end up in the wrong place.”
Cupid sat watching them. He nuzzled Vivian’s leg with his snout and then placed a paw on her to get her attention. In response, she bent over and scratched between his ears.
“I’m so glad you were able to come, Mom.” She took her hand and squeezed it. “Please don’t wait years before you visit again.”
“You two could come visit me,” Vivian suggested.
“We’d love that.” Nick smiled at her. “I’ve always wanted to see Asia. We could make a tour of it.”
“And you could join us,” Holly added.
“Sounds lovely. Sign me up.” Vivian let out a chuckle. “Well, I hate goodbyes, so I’m going to get to my gate before I start crying.”
At the mere sound of the word, Holly’s eyes welled up. “I love you, Mom. Have a safe flight.”
Vivian hugged Nick. “Thank you for bringing love into my daughter’s life. You make her very happy.”
“I’m honored to do so. For the rest of our lives.”
Vivian patted his shoulder. “Good to hear.”
Cupid barked.
“Goodbye to you, too.” Vivian rubbed his head, turned to Holly, and hugged her once more. “Bye, my darling. I love you.”
Nick draped his arm around Holly as Vivian took a step back.
“I’ll text you when I’m settled in back home,” Vivian said. “In the meantime, you two could start on those grandchildren you promised me.”
“Mom!” Holly blushed.
“Bye.”
Vivian made her way to her gate, turning to wave occasionally. Holly waited until she was out of sight, with Nick at her side and Cupid at her feet. Though the moment felt sad, Holly knew she was blessed—blessed that she was able to have her mother there to experience her special day and blessed to have married the love of her life. And she knew that if she concentrated on counting her blessings, there would be no time to worry about anything else.