Page 55 of Back With You at Forty-Two

Dad’s voice grows louder. "Come on, girl, you remember me, don't you?" It's possible she does. They’ve met twice, after all. Or maybe three times. I wonder if Dad needs a dog of his own.

Suddenly, Fifi bursts into action and heads for the one who's caught her eye. Tail flopping, tongue flapping, eyes shining. At first, I think she’s heading for Liam, because she passes the kids, my parents, and me. But then she skips past Liam, too.

We turn our heads, gawking as the animal leaps onto Nini’s lap with a flourish. I stare in horror, praying Nini doesn't strangle, chokehold, or even throw the poor animal across the yard like a Frisbee.

She doesn't. In fact, while Fifi frantically attacks her face with a tongue bath, Nini declares, “All animals love me. They just love me."

I try to make sense of that as we head inside.

Dinner is a blessed event, and so is the time that follows. Mom and Link talk tattoos while Callie shows the other kids a fun new dance she saw on Tik-Tok.

To Callie’s delight, Lucy’s familiar with the dance. I overhear them talking about how each has always wanted a sister.

“Maybe if everything goes well…” Callie adds with a sneaky grin. They blast the music and practice the dance number on the small grass patch below.

When it's time for presents, Liam opens his gifts with both modesty and appreciation. A gift card from my parents, a sneer from Nini, and a coffee mug from me. It has a photo on it—one I recently took of Liam, the kids, and the dog.

Callie and Link gift him a camping voucher. “That’s for the riverside campsite,” Callie explains. “Since we missed the other one, I was hoping we could all go before the summer’s through.”

Liam pumps a fist. “Awesome, I love that idea. Thanks.” The hint of moisture welling in his eyes says the rest. I catch his gaze and shoot him a wink, but what I really want is to close the gap between us and kiss him long and hard.

Later,I tell myself because Cam, Lucy, and Martin are hoisting a massive and horribly wrapped…somethingonto the patio. They plop it onto Liam’s lap.

“Thanks,” he says preemptively, scratching his jaw in wonder.

"Dad,” Cam says as Liam tears off the mismatched wrapping paper. "Meet Bessie Two.”

And there she is in all her splendor. The black and white spots, the beautiful cow head with long lashes, a pink tongue, and matching ears.

"We sort of paired our gift with Callie and Link,” they say.

"Yeah," Callie chimes in. "Link and I are really hoping to see Bessie 2 in action."

My heart is so full I feel like it could burst. It's taken a long time to come to this place, a place I never imagined I'd be. But as we light the candles and sing happy birthday to Liam Wheaton, who happens to be my fairly serious boyfriend…squee!… I muse that there's no place else I would rather be.

We dish out the dessert, and I have to give it to Lucy and Martin, it's delicious. I give them a well-deserved chef’s kiss that no one sees because Nini simultaneously thrusts her fork in the air like a victory sword and lets out a whooping cheer.

"I'll tell you something," she says, narrowing her beady eyes on me.

My heart skips a beat as I wonder what in heaven’s name she has up her sleeve.

"Yousureknow how to pick a man!"

I sigh in relief.

“At least…the second time around." She shoves in another forkful of the lemon dessert. “Mmm.”

My eyes go wide, and I glance over at Martin and Lucy, wondering if they'll take offense to the ‘second time around’ part of that very odd compliment. But since their hands cover their faces while their shoulders bounce with stifled laughter, I'll take that as a no. Besides, they adore Liam and tell me fairly often that they’re happy for me. For us.

I glance over at Annica, who often says the same thing. She squints her eyes at me and pulls one of her super cheesy grins. I pause to lift a prayer for my sister, one I pray for often.Please, send her a good one, God. She deserves it.

And as I move in to hug the birthday guest of honor, I have to say that I’ve never agreed with Nini more than I do right now. And the best part is, her sentiment confirms the very thing I’m learning to accept: Icanmake choices for myself. Choices I can trust because there is no denying this one—Idoknow how to pick one heck of a man.

And, I might add, he’s not doing too bad himself.

The End.