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“Just let me get the door, and then I’ll hook you up with something to drink. Can you stay the night, or do you have to head back?” I put Elsa down and cross the room.
“Mike is teaching a seminar back home tomorrow morning. I figured we could visit the aquarium, and then you, before we drive home.” Micha thumbs over her shoulder at Elsa, who’s rushed over to the wall of windows overlooking the city, pretending to make her fish and turtle swim in the reflection. “And if timed correctly, this one will pass out on the ride.”
I open the door and find Aurora holding this week’s prepared meals from Rix. She looks tired and anxious. “I brought your dinners for the week and—” Her eyes flare. “Oh! You have company. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh my gosh, Peggy?” Micha practically shoves me out of the way and pulls her into a hug.
Aurora mouths sorry and gives me her oh-shit face while she pats my sister on the back. “Hey! Hi, Micha. It’s so nice to see you.”
“Good Lord.” Micha’s eyes widen as she steps back. “Wow! You are…not a teenager anymore!”
Aurora smiles, cheeks turning pink. “Uh, no. Full-fledged adult now.”
Micha takes the bags from her. “Well, come on in. Hollis was about to pour me a glass of wine. You’re old enough to drink now, right? By a few years?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m legal to drink in the States now, but I don’t want to interrupt family time.”
“Nonsense. Mike and Hollis will talk hockey, and I’ll nod and smile because I still don’t really understand the rules. I think Hollis mentioned you’re almost done with university. Is that right?”
“Yeah, just final exams left and I’ll be finished with my undergrad.”
“That’s so exciting. What I wouldn’t give to go back and relive my university days. I had a lot of fun during my undergrad.”
“And then you met me and traded house parties with cheap beer for fine dining and nice wine.” My brother-in-law smiles fondly as he takes a sip of his beer.
“I regret neither,” Micha replies.
“Hi! My name is Elsa, and this is my fissy and my turble!” My niece holds up her stuffed toys for Aurora to see.
Aurora crouches, so they’re at the same level. “Hi, Elsa. You probably don’t remember me, because I haven’t seen you in a long time. My name is Aurora.”
Elsa’s eyes go wide. “I love Princess Aurora!”
“And I love Queen Elsa. Frozen is one of my favorite movies ever!”
“Mine too!” Elsa smiles up at me. “Unca Haw-lis, I really like your friend Aurora.”
Micha gives Aurora an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I thought your name was Peggy.”
“Technically it is, but she prefers to go by her middle name,” I explain.
“Oh, okay.”
“I answer to both, though. And the team calls me Hammer, since it’s a last-name world for those boys,” Aurora explains.
“But you prefer Aurora?” Micha asks.
“I do.”
“Daddy, I have to pee!” Elsa announces.
“I can take her,” Micha offers.
“I got it.” Mike kisses Micha on the cheek and takes Elsa’s hand, leading her down the hall.
I hand Aurora a glass of white.
She takes a small sip and smiles. “It’s my favorite. Thank you.”
