“Since my birthday last year.” She glanced at me. “I wanted to wait until I was 18 so you couldn’t say no.”
“I would’ve said no.”
“I know.” She grinned. “That’s why I locked you out!”
We checked in at the counter. The woman smiled at us like we were just another mother and daughter taking a trip.
And maybe we were.
“I wanted to wait until I was 18 so you couldn’t say no.”
As we walked toward security, Lily squeezed my hand the way she used to when crossing busy streets.
“You’re not my stepmom. You’re my family. You always have been.”
I stopped walking and turned to face her fully. “And you’re mine.”
She hugged me one more time as we stepped into the security line together.
“No rushing,” she said, grinning. “We’re ordering dessert first, and you’re not allowed to check your work email.”
“You’re not my stepmom.”
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