“Sounds like a plan,” I state, saying goodbye andhanging up the phone. I don’t know how I’m going to tell her I love her, but I know I need to do it soon.
On the way home, Presley spots a field of sunflowers in full bloom, with a basket of cut flowers beside it. “Jason, look at the flowers!” she yells.
Without question, I pull over my vehicle to the side of the road. There’s even a sign that saysfree will donationwith a basket below it holding a few dollars and some spare change underneath. Presley climbs out of the car to follow beside me and helps me pick out three separate flowers.
One for each of my girls.
When I was a kid, my grandma used to love sunflowers. Every year she would find a place on the side of the road, much like this one, and grab one for each of her four grandkids. It’s one of the things I remember most about her. She was so strong like Fallon is.
Grandma used to find the meaning in everything. Whether it was a single flower, a butterfly flitting about, a sunflower on the side of the road, or a dragonfly, it always represented something. A good omen, one might say. Grandma used to preach to us the meaning of each thing as they happened.
She loved sunflowers because they represented strength, loyalty, and admiration. The sunflowers on the side of the road almost seems like a sign from her. On a day like today, it definitely feels like it. Things can only go up from here.
Presley squeals in delight as I carefully place the three sunflowers on the passenger seat and help to make sure she’s buckled in. We pick up a few pizzas and finish the drive home, Presley talking the whole way about how excited she is for the flowers.
When we pull into the driveway, Fallon’s vehicleis already there. I grab the flowers and pizza and we head inside, Presley calling out for her mom and Lennie as soon as we are inside.
I find Fallon in the kitchen, grabbing napkins and paper plates for our outside lunch. “Hey, sunshine,” I greet. Setting the pizza and flowers down, I wrap my arms around her waist, nuzzling my face into her neck. I breathe in the sweet smell of her perfume. She’s been wearing it more often, and I love it. Something about her perfume drives me insane, in the best way.
“Hey you,” Fallon says as she spins in my arms, resting her head on my chest. She takes a deep inhale and closes her eyes. “It’s so good to be home in your arms. Where’s my girl?”
I press a kiss to her head. “In the living room. She was excited to find Lennie. We got you and her something on the way home.”
She raises her brows in surprise. “Oh, did you?”
“Mhmm,” I mutter. Presley rushes into the kitchen with Lennie at her side.
“Jason, can we show them?” she asks.
Before I can answer, Fallon pulls away from me. She leans down and opens her arms for Presley, who runs into them. Fallon holds her tight, whispering words into her ear meant only for them. They have a special bond, one I could never replace or emulate, but it’s also one I have with my own daughter.
I know Fallon needs privacy with her after their morning, and I’m all too happy to give it to them. Lennie steps up to my side, reaching up to grab my hand. “Daddy, did you get flowers?” Lennie asks in a not so subtle whisper.
I softly chuckle, and offer my daughter a smallnod.
“Mom, we need to show you the flowers,” Presley says from Fallon’s arms, in an excited voice.
“Yes, show me them!” Fallon says, standing and subtly wiping tears from her eyes.
Presley beams as she holds up the three flowers, handing one to her mom, another to Lennie, and holding one in her arms for herself. “We stopped on the side of the road and Jason let me pick one for each of us!”
Fallon looks up at me, her eyes still wet with tears. “Thank you.”
“Absolutely, sunshine.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “My grandma loved sunflowers on the side of the road. She would always stop and grab them when we were with her, and once I saw them, I knew I had to stop. Maybe it could be a new tradition for us, too.”
A smile stretches across Fallon’s face. “I would love that.”
“It’s settled then. How are you, my sunshine?”
“So good,” she replies, resting her head on my chest once more. “It’s like a weight has been lifted off me. Like I can relax.”
“You can.” I lean down and kiss her deeply. “And I have every intention of helping you relax inmultipledifferent ways.” I wink, squeezing her sides as she laughs.
“I can’t wait.”
48
FALLON
