Page 196 of Seasons of Love
“That was a misguided attempt at something I wasn’t sure how to handle because I was still grieving. I tried to get back in touch, but you wouldn’t take my calls. I didn’t know what to do until Ellis turned up on my doorstep last night.”
Milo stares at me. “You flew to Chicago?”
I nod and smile at Gloria.
“Ellis told me he’d spoken to an attorney that suggested we come to an agreement. I’ve thought about it and don’t want to take Sara away from you. If Sienna named you as her parent, it was because she wanted you to raise Sara. All I’d like to ask is to be her grandmother. I’d like to be able to visit her here, and maybe when she grows up, she can come visit me on her vacation. Who knows, maybe I’ll move closer. It’s not like I have anyone else in Chicago.”
Milo looks like he’s in shock. “Are you serious? Do you really mean that?”
“Every word. I can’t bring Sienna or Mikey back, but I’m sure we can sew up a new family between us, can’t we?”
Milo breaks down again, and I want to hold him so badly. He stands and hugs Gloria. “I think we can do that. I’d like very much for Sara to have a real grandmother.”
Like a real mother, Gloria reaches over to a box of tissues on the table and cleans Milo’s tears. “Now, I’m going to finish reading my granddaughter a story while you two talk.”
Gloria takes Sara and goes back into the nursery, closing the door behind her.
Milo looks at me, shaking his head. “I’m so—”
“No.” I break the space between us and kneel in front of him. “You don’t get to apologize because you’ve done nothing wrong.”
“I doubted you. I doubted your love.”
“I went to Gloria behind your back, not knowing if she was going to accept my proposal or not. If anyone should apologize, it’s me.”
“How about no apologies?”
I nod. “Milo, I love you so much. Now I know why it’s taken me so long to find the kind of forever love I’ve wanted all my life. I was waiting for you. And you come in a beautiful, heartfelt, complete package that includes the best plus one in the world.”
“I love you too, Ellis.”
He pulls me closer, and I submit to his kiss, letting him own me, heart and soul. Our friends think they called it before we did, but there was always something about Milo.
In a stormy sky, Milo is the rainbow breaking through the clouds, lighting up my heart, and making me feel like I am enough. I can be loved. There’s nothing boring about me. He’s not settling with me. If that’s not the most powerful and humbling feeling in the world, I don’t know what is.
Our lips part, and we stare at each other, communicating without words.
“You missed the showdown at the playground,” he says. “It turns out Tyler now owns the land and the playground will remain a playground forever.”
“Then I guess there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Milo goes into the nursery. “Gloria, do you mind watching over Sara while we go help out at the playground? There’s a free lunch at one o’clock, so you can come over if you want. Sara’s food is in the fridge. She’ll let you know when she’s hungry.”
“Just like my Sienna,” Gloria says, caressing Sara’s hair with all the love of a grandmother. “I’ll see you later. I may have money, but I’m not stupid enough to decline a free meal.”
“You sure you’re okay leaving Sara with Gloria?” I ask after we leave the house.
“Yes. I looked into Gloria’s eyes. I know what’s in them.”
My man has an unmatchable heart.
I wonder if he saw something in my eyes too. If he always knew I was his, even when I didn’t.
36
MILO
“Sir, would you please put your hands on the fence…that’s it…now stick your butt out…yup, just like that. Perfect.”
