The woman chuckled, and Amy released her mother’s hand but remained close to her.
“Hey, Paul,” Trish greeted him with a smile.
Paul smiled back. “You look in high spirits,” he observed.
“I am now,” Trish replied, reaching for Amy’s hand and squeezing it lovingly.
“That’s great news. Are you guys ready to go?”
The women nodded before filing out of the room and heading for the elevator. They waved goodbye to the smiling nurses just before the elevator dinged shut, and they zoomed to the main lobby. Nikki held the door open for Trish and Paul, who assisted her through it.
Trish sat in the back with Amy while Nikki rode up front with Paul. As the vehicle moved along the road, Nikki searched out Trish in the rearview mirror, but Trish was smiling over at Amy. This brought a smile to Nikki’s face. She took out her phone and quickly shot a message to Kaylyn. Almost instantly, her phone pinged in response. Bringing up her messages, she noticed the woman sent her a thumbs-up emoji.
When they finally made it back to the house, Paul helped Trish get out of the car. She exchanged a knowing look with Amy as they ascended the porch steps ahead of them. Nikki rattled the doorknob as she tried to open the door.
“Oh, I forgot, I didn’t use the key,” she said loudly, slapping her hand against her forehead. “Let me just…” She rummaged through her purse before finally lifting the key above her head and jingling it in triumph. “Here it is. Now I can open the door.”
Trish’s brows launched upward as she stared at her sister in confusion.
Nikki finally opened the door after three attempts as Trish stared questioningly at her. She moved aside, allowing Paul and Trish to go ahead. Just as they approached the wall that opened into the living room, Nikki said. “I was thinking maybe we could go out to eat, or if you’re not up to it, we could get a table at Lot 28!”
Trish looked weirdly at her sister. “Why do you keep do—”
“SURPRISE!”
Trish jumped back, and her hands clutched her chest as her eyes widened with surprise at the mass of smiling faces. Without warning, she burst into tears, effectively wiping the smiles off their faces as they stared at a sobbing Trish in concern.
“You guys”—Sniff—“I can’t believe you did this for”—Sniff—“Me.” Her eyes lifted above their heads to stare appreciatively at the welcome home sign attached to the curtain.
“Wait until you see what’s on the outside,” someone called out, earning chuckles from the group.
“Still, thank you guys so much for this,” she said in earnest as a few more tears rolled down her cheeks.
“You deserve it, Trish, and so much more. We are just happy that you found your way back to us,” Kaylyn responded, walking over and pulling her into a tight hug.
Nikki smiled affectionately at her friend and worker the minute they separated.
Just like that, Trish accepted the hugs and encouragement from the townspeople while thanking them for their support.
“Hi, Trish,” Reed greeted her with a warm, affectionate smile.
“Reed,” Trish responded with a coy smile.
“You look…lovely,” he complimented.
Nikki noticed the way her sister’s cheeks became rosy as a sweet smile turned her lips upward. She exchanged knowing looks with Paul and inclined her head in nonverbal agreement to give them some privacy.
“All right, everyone, let’s make our way outside. That’s where the real party is after all. Let’s give Trish a little time to breathe and regroup before she joins us,” Nikki instructed. The crowd dispersed quickly, leaving Reed and Trish staring shyly back at each other.
Nikki and Paul exited the house and joined in the festivities. She eagerly tucked into the succulent rack of ribs she’d been craving, and she moaned in satisfaction that it did not disappoint.
A little while later, Trish exited the house using Reed’s arm for support instead of her cane. Again, the crowd erupted in cheers for her, and her smile only grew wider as Reed escorted her down the steps, holding her protectively at his side.
“I brought you some punch. Thought you might be thirsty.”
Nikki smiled over at Paul as she gladly took the drink and took some sips. Paul’s arms came around her shoulders, pulling her against him in a sideways hug as he placed a kiss against her temple.
Nikki couldn’t help the slight shiver that traveled up her spine at his show of affection. She didn’t think she would ever get used to how good and natural it felt to be with him.
