“Well, I can come back later.” I tease.
“No!” My mom hugs me. “I can’t wait until next weekend to see you.” She squeezes me and breathes me in. “You missed a hickey, honey.”
“Sorry.” I adjust my hair to cover it and bite my lip.
She laughs and shakes her head. “I appreciate the attempt.”
As we eat lunch, we catch up. Mom shares my prom photos and tells Dad all about how long graduation was, how I tripped while I grabbed my diploma and nearly took down the president of the university.
They laugh and tease me until I fight back, reminding mom about when she lost her paycheck, and I found it in her purse after we tore the house apart. Dad watches us with loving eyes and takes our hands.
“I love you both so much.” He sighs.
Mom raises her wine glass. “To second chances and a bright and simple future.”
“To family, friends, and love.” Dad echoes.
I pick up my glass and put it with theirs. “To a happily ever after that lasts.”
We clink our glasses and drink. Even as I swallow, I know that life won’t be that simple, but for the moment, I’m happy to believe that a storybook ending is possible for all of us.