“I moved, and I reported him.”
Marianne’s expression softened.
“I’m glad you stood up for yourself.”
“So am I.”
Then I looked toward the carrier.
“Now where is the granddaughter I traveled all this way to meet?”
Marianne laughed.
“Someone’s been waiting for you.”
She lifted Rose carefully.
Then placed her in my arms.
Everything else disappeared.
The airplane.
Josh.
My aching hip.
The complaint.
My granddaughter was smaller than I imagined.
Round cheeks.
Soft hair.
One tiny hand resting against her blanket.
“Hello, Rose.”
My voice broke.
“I’m your grandma.”
Her eyes opened.
She stared at me.
Marianne laughed.
“She’s checking you out.”
“She can take her time.”
I kissed her forehead.
“I’ve waited months.”
Rose wrapped her tiny fingers around one of mine.
And suddenly the tears came.
Because Steven should have been there.
He had talked for years about becoming a grandfather.
