Page 102 of On the Slopes of Tahoe
I’m stunned into silence. Breck’s hands wind around my middle.
“I’m not telling you what you should do here,” Wes continues. “I honestly don’t know how I feel about it either. I know my relationship with them was always better than yours, and I’m sorry for that.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I know, but it doesn’t make it okay. I think it might be worth talking to them though, hearing them out. It doesn’t mean you have to forgive them or allow them into your life, but I think they’re sincerely taking note of how their actions have affected us both.”
Joss gives me a sad smile. “You know I don’t have any relationship with my mom. That was my choice, and it was the right one. My dad though, he made some terrible decisions, but he’s also done everything he can since he’s been back in my life to make up for them. Some people deserve a second chance, others don’t. I agree with Wes though. It might be worth at least talking to them before making your decision.”
I lean into Breck and feel his arms tighten. “You know I’m not a huge fan of your parents,” he says, “but I would do anything to be able to have a relationship with mine. Maybe they’ll surprise you, or maybe they’ll be exactly who you know them to be. Either way, you’ll have your answer.”
I turn in his arms to face him. “What about you? And Willow? If they’re in my life then they’re in yours—hers. How do you feel about that?”
His face softens and he ghosts his lips over mine. “I love you.”
“Breck,” I say with mock exasperation. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
“If they’re really set on changing, then I can give them the chance to do so. I honestly haven’t thought about Willow having grandparents in her life before. My parents are gone and Talia’s were never in the picture. If I can choose for her to have more people who love her, I will. Always. If they won’t accept her, then that’ll change things, but we can cross that bridge if we come to it.”
“She’ll never feel rejected by another person if I can help it,” I say, meaning it with every fiber of my being.
“I love you so much, woman.” I feel his words all the way to my toes. “How did I get so lucky?”
“You got lucky with me first, mate,” Wes says. “If you didn’t know me, you wouldn’t have her, so you just remember that when you start pawing at her, would you?” He tries to hold a straight face but fails and we all fall into a fit of laughter.
“Fair point,” Breck says with one last chuckle against my neck. “You don’t have to decide anything about your parents right now, but it’s something to think about, yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ll think about it.”
The next two weeks pass in a blur of school drop-offs and pick-ups, beach trips, coffee runs, touristy fun around the city, cozy dinners, and bedtime stories. Also with Breck and I making love at every opportunity.
He took it as his personal mission to have me on as many surfaces of the house as he could. “Making up for lost time,” he said as he bent me over the back of the couch one afternoon while Willow was still at school, or “taking advantage while I can” when he pressed me against the shower wall and lifted me so my legs wrapped around his middle.
In the midst of it all, we talked. And talked. About everything and nothing. About how we would make this move work, what our plans would be when he and Willow got their visas and could officially move to the States.
The rest of the in-between we spent with Wes and Joss. I visited Harbour Grounds nearly every day—the coffee shop Joss’s best friend Jaz owns. We spent many mornings on the beach—at least when Breck could haul me out of bed. I’m not a morning person, and he’s already said he’ll have to figure out a way to fix that.
I took a couple of surf lessons and despite being extremely comfortable on a board on the snow, me and a board in the ocean didn’t jive as well as I expected. Looks like we’ll have to track down some California waves this summer once he and Willow arrive so I can practice some more.
We went to the zoo, and to seeGuys and Dollsat the Opera House. Breck and Wes showed me around the University of Sydney and all their old haunts from college. Every day was filled with something new, creating memories. We filled the time to the brim because we knew today was coming.
We’re packed into Breck’s ute, headed for the airport. Willow’s been a sniffling mess all day, clinging to me in one way or another. As the airport looms nearer, I’m right there with her.
Wes insists we park and go in. No goodbyes on the curb today. The minutes tick by too fast. The baggage line empties too quick. Before we can fully process, we’re at security. Two weeks, gone in a flash, and I’m missing them already. Even though they’re still standing in front of me.
“Why can’t we go with you now?” Willow asks, her eyes red-rimmed and voice breaking on the words.
“I wish you could, Bug,” I say, leaning down to kiss her head.
“We talked about this, sweetheart. We have to get some things sorted before we can go, but it won’t be too long. You’ll finish your term here and I’ll get our paperwork together. Then we’ll go, yeah?” Breck tries for an encouraging tone, but it falls flat, even to my ears.
“Yeah, but I don’t want to wait.” She pouts and leans against me.
Wes and Joss surround me and Willow, recognizing they won’t get a hug if they wait for her to let go.
“I’m going to miss you, Roars.” Wes pulls me against him. “We’ll start talking about potential trips we can make to see you guys soon. Christmas at the very least.” He kisses my temple.
“Travel safely and let us know when you get home, okay?” Joss says and hugs me tight.
