Marianne looked relieved.
“Good. I’m glad you didn’t let him get away with treating you like that.”
I smiled.
“So am I.”
Then I leaned toward the baby carrier.
“But enough about airplanes. Where’s that beautiful granddaughter I’ve traveled all this way to meet?”
Marianne laughed.
“Someone’s been waiting for you.”
She carefully lifted Rose from the carrier.
Then placed her in my arms.
And suddenly, the entire miserable flight disappeared from my mind.
My granddaughter was even smaller than I’d imagined.
She had round little cheeks.
Soft skin.
Tiny fingers curled against her blanket.
I stared at her in amazement.
“Hello, Rose,” I whispered. “I’m your grandma.”
Her eyes opened.
She looked directly at me.
Marianne laughed.
“I think she’s trying to figure out who you are.”
“Well,” I whispered, “she can take all the time she needs. I’ve been waiting months for this moment.”
