She laughed. “Very fitting.”
“And I have more news. Almost bigger than that.”
She eyed him suspiciously. How could anything top that? He’d just found out his parents were getting married.
“They… they are going to adopt me. Both of them.”
She let out a little squeal, and she wasn’t really the squealing kind. “No kidding. That’s great.”
“We’re going to officially, legally, be a family. I mean, I know the legal stuff takes time, but it will happen.”
“I’m really happy for you, Blake.”
“And Jesse is really happy about the wedding. He was whistling in the kitchen this morning. Poured himself two different cups of coffee.”
“Jesse… huh? Are you ever going to call him Dad?
“I don’t know. I’ve thought about it. But… well, he’s never asked me to call him that. I just don’t know.”
She pinned him with a stare. “Do you want to call him Dad?”
“I… I do. But then… there’s Heather.”
“You mean yourmom? The one who is marrying your dad?” She rolled her eyes.
“I don’t want to do anything to mess up things between them. I don’t want them to feel all weirded out if I call Jesse Dad. If I do that, I should call Heather Mom… but I haven’t gotten to know her as well as I have Jesse. And well, there’s my Mom—the one who raised me. I know she’s gone now, but it will be hard to call someone else Mom. See how it gets complicated?”
“I think if they’re getting married and plan to adopt you… you should consider the whole Mom and Dad thing. But I get how it would be hard with the Mom thing. But at least consider it.”
“You’re right. It’s just that so much has happened in the last year. So many changes.”
“Like finding out you have the best cousin ever?” She grinned.
“Yes, like that.” His face broke into a grin.
“Have you told Angela yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Go find her and tell her. She’ll be really happy for you.” She shooed him away.
Blake sped off in search of Angela. She leaned against her locker. Heather and Jesse. Married. Finally. And Blake was getting his family. It was turning into a pretty fine day.
Chapter 26
Evelyn looked up to see Rob slip onto one of the barstools at the ice cream counter. He gave her a big smile. “See, I’m back. I know, what a surprise, right?”
“So surprising… you haven’t been in here in so long.”
“I know. It’s been twenty-four whole hours.”
She loved their teasing banter and really enjoyed their afternoon ritual of taking an ice cream break. She got malts for both of them, and they went to sit at a table by the window while Melody took over the ice cream counter.
“So, I have some news.” She looked over at Rob, who paused in devouring his ice cream. “Big news.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense.” He put down his spoon.
“Heather and Jesse are getting married.” She was so happy for her daughter. Pleased about the wedding. She could hardly wait to see her daughter marry Jesse. Happiness for Heather squeezed at her heart.
