Melanie had wondered the same thing over the past few weeks. She shrugged, smiling at Emily. “Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past Vera. But, not to brag, Iamher favorite nurse. Either way, I’m glad she did because it gave me two new friends.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Emily held up her glass as they all four clinked their glasses together. “And you know I’m your favorite patient. Admit it.”
“You can be a solid second,” Melanie teased. “Cam will always be my first.”
“Aww, babe.” Cameron kissed her as they giggled. “You’re so sweet.”
“It’s so easy to see how much you two love each other.” Sophia put her arm around Emily’s shoulder as she spoke. “Thank you for sharing your story with us. It was beautiful.”
“Thank you for listening. It’s not often we get to tell it since it seems everyone in town already knew. I guess we just run in different crowds.”
“Apparently,” Emily laughed. “I think I speak for Sophia as well when I say that we would love to have you and your kids over for dinner sometime. I’d love to meet Jonah and Luca and to re-meet Dylan in this new context.”
Melanie snorted a laugh, nearly spitting her drink. “I still can’t believe you didn’t know she was Cam’s daughter.”
“Pregnancy brain, Mel,” Emily dramatically whined. “And you two had to confuse me more by having different last names.”
“Only professionally,” Cameron chimed in. “Mel took my last name but still usesWrightat work.”
“It was part of my boundary setting with patients.” She grimaced, hating how closed off she’d let herself get toward her patients after Leah. “But yes, I’m officially a West and love it.”
Melanie would have loved to stay at Olive or Twist with Emily and Sophia, but they’d told Isla and Vera they’d pick up Luca by eight. She knew they wouldn’t mind to keep him longer, but she didn’t want to take advantage of her friends. Not when they had done so much for Melanie and Cameron and their kids already.
After paying the bill, they gathered their things before saying goodbye to Sophia and Emily. Melanie held on a little tighter to Emily. As she whispered in her ear.
“Thank you. You have no idea how much your friendship means to me.”
“Back at you, Mel.” Emily rubbed her back before pulling away. “I’m so glad we did this. We need to do it more often.”
“We will, for sure.”
As they said a final round of goodbyes, the two couples headed their separate ways. Melanie looped her arm around Cameron’s as they walked to the car. The shops and streets were all decorated for Christmas which was quickly approaching. It gave the night a magical feeling that Melanie wanted to savor forever. She took a step in front of Cameron as she kissed her.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, babe.”
“You do know thatyourfriends have undoubtedly fed our son candy.”
“And given him hot chocolate.” Cameron laughed as she opened Melanie’s door for her. “Want to drive home together and we can get my car tomorrow?”
“Absolutely.”
She watched as Cameron ran around to the passenger side and got in. They drove to the Mackenzies hand in hand with Christmas music on the radio. Melanie parked in their driveway and admired the way the farmhouse looked decorated for the season. Strings of lights hung from the gutters and were adorned on the shrubs outside. Two small Christmas trees stood on either side of the front door. She ran her fingers over the branches as Cameron rang the doorbell.
On the other side of the door, Melanie could hear the pitter patter of little feet as Luca excitedly opened the door. Luca was wearing his Lightning McQueen hoodie and matching sweatpants, which were his current favorite obsession. His dark brown hair was messy, which wasn’t out of the norm for him.
“Mama!” He jumped into Melanie’s arms as he hugged her neck. Luca nuzzled his nose against her neck as he always did when he hugged her. Melanie often wondered if it was because she did the same thing to him when he was a baby. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, buddy.” Melanie kissed his cheek. “Were you a good boy for Aunt Isla and Aunt Vera?”
“Mhmm.” Luca squirmed out of her arms and went to Cameron. She knelt down and embraced him tightly as Melanie savored the scene. “I missed you too, Mommy.”
“I missed you more, Luca.”
Their journey to adopt Luca wasn’t easy, but it has been beyond worth it. He fit into their family perfectly. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was meant to be there. Even down to the similarities in how he and Melanie looked alike. She hadn’t wanted to say anything at first, fearing she was projecting her hopes onto Luca. But as Luca grew, other people started commenting on how much Luca looked like her. Melanie could see it clear as day and it melted her heart even more.
“Thanks for watching him,” Melanie hugged Vera’s neck. “You’re the best. We really needed tonight.”
