Chapter 17 - The Night Before Poppy’s Surgery
Poppy required one final corrective procedure several months later.
Smaller.
Safer.
Still terrifying.
The night before, she couldn't sleep.
Marlo found her sitting beside the bakery window.
"What's wrong?"
"What if my heart stops?"
Marlo sat beside her.
"Then the doctors help it."
"What if they can't?"
Marlo took her hand.
"You know what Grandpa used to say?"
Poppy shook her head.
"Being brave doesn't mean you're not scared."
"What does it mean?"
"It means you're scared and you go anyway."
Poppy considered that.
"Was Grandpa brave?"
"The bravest."
"Is Elias brave?"
Marlo looked across the bakery.
Elias stood outside locking the door.
"Sometimes."
"Are you?"
Marlo smiled.
"Sometimes."
Poppy leaned against her.
"Is Dad?"
Marlo thought of Preston attending appointments, learning medication schedules, admitting mistakes.
"He's learning."
Elias joined them.
Poppy looked up.
"Are you marrying Mom?"
Marlo choked.
Elias remained perfectly calm.
"I haven't asked."
"Why?"
"Poppy."
"What?"
Elias looked at Marlo.
"Your mother scares me."
Poppy laughed so loudly she started coughing.
Marlo stared at him.
"You are unbelievable."
"She asked."
That night, after Poppy slept, Marlo and Elias stood in the kitchen.
"You really haven't asked," Marlo said.
His eyebrow lifted.
"Is that a complaint?"
"No."
"Good."
"Maybe."
He stepped closer.
"Marlo Hart, are you trying to propose to yourself?"
"No."
"Because this is becoming confusing."
She hit his arm.
He caught her hand.
The gesture echoed the first morning.
Except now there was no fear.
No lie.
No Preston.
No lawyer.
Elias intertwined their fingers.
"After tomorrow," he said.
"What happens after tomorrow?"
May you like
His eyes softened.
"Something good."
