Page 146 of Falling Back to You

She’d been a driving force in making all this happen. Even on flare days when we had to do planning from the couch, Noelle let me hold her after Khia went to bed and we made plans. She wanted to be a part of my girl’s life. Her eyes danced at the thought of bringing Khia happiness.

Unlike Izzy.

Khia’s own mother had wanted nothing to do with her. I knew the depression was part of it, but even before Khia was born, Izzy was apathetic to her. Not Noelle. She made my daughter’s eyes light up, entered into her childlike wonder, and had stolen both our hearts. Part and parcel, Khia and I were both goners for the pretty blonde with a heart of gold. Who’d made my girl’s day magical, just by being a part of our lives.

And my little girl was five years old. How? Just yesterday she’d been a newborn. Now she was reading.

Greyson clapped my shoulder. “They grow up fast.”

There was that twin telepathy again. Or maybe he was in a sentimental mood.

“Soon she’ll be interested in boys. Graduating school—”

I held up a hand. “Don’t start or I might cry.” I was only half joking.

Khia scampered over and grabbed Greyson’s hand. “Can we open presents, Daddy? Please?” Then she giggled. “Oops, wrong one.” She grabbed my hand so she was hanging onto both of us.

“Sure, kiddo.” I winked at her, and she bolted away.

But I didn’t miss the flash of pain and longing on my brother’s face. It was my turn to squeeze his shoulder in silent sympathy. She didn’t mistake us often, and it was never on purpose. His throat bobbed, his posture stoic.

We’d talked about it before, but I knew now wasn’t the time for another heart-to-heart, so instead I said, “Did you and Pais spoil her rotten?”

He scoffed. “Of course.”

And they had.

“Daddy! It’s Jason Lark!” Khia squealed, holding the CD album from her aunt and uncle over her head. “And it’s in space!”

“Did you listen to it first?” I ribbed my brother.

Greyson chuckled. “How could you think that?”

“You’re as obsessed as she is.”

Presents led to cupcakes—pink and glittery to the max. Khia scrunched up her nose, eyes shut before she blew out the five flickering candles.

“Did you make a good wish?” I asked, handing her an unwrapped cupcake.

“Yup.” Icing smeared on her nose as she took a huge bite, and she grinned at me. Once the cupcake was gone, she tugged on my hand. “Picture time.”

I scooped her up, and Greyson grabbed his phone. It was tradition to take pictures on birthdays. She liked seeing how much she grew, since she was determined to be taller than me.

Khia tugged my hair. “Wait. Miss Noelle needs to be in it. Miss Noelle!”

Noelle hesitated a fraction, eyes locked on mine, silent conversation flying between us.

Am I overstepping? Do you want me?

You’re family, Elle.

I held a hand out to her, and her smile was breathtaking. The cracked edges of my heart smoothed over. I’d been crazy about this woman at nineteen, but it was something so much more now. Deeper. Stronger. Steadier.

Noelle quickly swiped the icing from Khia’s nose, making her giggle. Once Khia had an arm around each of us, Greyson took the picture.

“Wanna know what I wished for?” Khia asked after the photo, peering up at both of us with hopeful eyes. “I wished for a mommy.” She flung her arms around Noelle’s legs. “I want this one.”

Noelle’s eyes shimmered as she held onto the little girl. And I blinked back some prickling tears of my own. Yeah, I want her, too, kiddo. The picture was crystal clear in my heart. White dress and tulle—funny, I didn’t hate the idea anymore. Noelle in my jersey, a baby on her hip—with her curls and my eyes.