"Meredith Rose, hurry up!" I yell from my spot on the
recliner chair.
"Coming mommy!" she yells back, dashing into the family
room and sliding onto the carpet next to her twin sister Avery
and older brother Hunter. I can tell they're all eager, but
I'm still waiting for one more person. She comes into the
room slowly, smiling at me.
"Oh, we're ready to read already?" she asks,
sitting down on my lap. I pull her close to me and open the book.
"Yep!" I reply, then turn to our children. "My
brother and I were your age when your grandma read us this book.
It's always been my favorite."
"Mine too," adds Holly. "And nothing has
changed."
"Mmm no," I laugh and kiss her quickly on the cheek.
"So are you ready?" Our kids nod eagerly. "I'm
going to let your beautiful mother start." She smiles and
blushes, like she does every time I call her beautiful.
She starts reading and I listen closely as her lyrical voice
tells one of the best stories ever told. "Mr. and Mrs.
Dursley of number four Privet Drive were proud to say that they
were perfectly normal, thank you very much," she begins.
Even though I've read and reread the series, hearing her
reading it makes me feel like a child hearing the words for the
first time. Time passes and before I know it, we're through
the first two chapters.
Avery yawns and I know it's time for them to go to bed. After
Holly and I have tucked them in, I whisper to her. "That was
beautiful darling."
"Thank you sweetheart," she whispers back, turning
around to kiss me. I kiss her back softly, yet still
passionately. "I love you Holly."
"I love you too. Forever and always baby."