Free Never Giving Up (Never #3) by Anie Michaels

eventually made it to my mom’s restaurant. When we entered, it was easy to find my mother. Her laugh was like a beacon and could be heard from anywhere in the building. Infectious, loud, and contagious, she laughed like she lived—without reservation.
    She spotted us and I could see her whole face light up with happiness and love. It was nearly impossible not to mirror her expression. My mother was truly a wonderful woman and until I met Ella, I didn’t think there would ever be another woman who mattered to me on the level she did. I could feel my stomach tightening with nerves, excitement bubbling over with the idea of telling her that, finally, she was going to be a grandmother.
    She politely finished up the conversation she was having with the two older men at their usual table, always coming in to flirt with my mother, and walked towards us. She went to Ella, wrapping her in a tight hug. I was almost jealous that my mother didn’t hug me first, but knew that no one could resist Ella. Also, it warmed my heart witnessing how much my mother loved her. She pulled away and then moved to give me a hug as well. I bent down and wrapped my arms around her waist.
    My mother always smelled the same. It was a combination of baby powder and her favorite perfume, Chanel Number Five. She got her very first bottle from my father when they had started dating and every year on their anniversary he gave her another bottle. Eventually she had enough to last her a while, but he still bought her a new bottle every year. After he passed away, on their first anniversary she had to spend alone, I wrapped up one of her older bottles that hadn’t been used yet and gave it to her.
    At first, when my mother broke into sobs, I thought I made a terrible mistake. I only wanted her not to feel sad, I wanted to give her what my dad couldn’t be there to give. I apologized and tried to explain how sorry I was, that I hadn’t wanted to upset her. She quieted me, telling me it was all right. She hugged me and I held her while her cries slowed.
    “It’s ok,” she said to me, still working through a few tears. “I’m just so happy.”
    “Happy?” I asked, confused as to how she could be happy without my father.
    “I’m so happy that even though I lost your father, I still have the best part of him in you.”
    After that, every year I wrapped up the same bottle and gave it to her. Until, of course, I grew up and got a job and could afford to buy her a new one. It was still a tradition I cherished and I think she did too.
    I pushed aside the memory and pulled back from my mother.
    “I didn’t know you two were in town today. Would you like some breakfast?” She looked at the watch on her wrist. “Or lunch?”
    My eyes flickered over to Ella and I enjoyed the flush that played over her face, knowing she was thinking about why we hadn’t made it for breakfast.
    “Do you have time to sit with us?” I asked.
    “I think I could make some time for my favorite son and daughter.” Not once since our wedding had she called Ella her “in-law” and I knew it made both of them so happy.
    We followed her to a booth and after we gave our order to the waitress I reached under the table, found Ella’s thigh, and gave it a squeeze.
    “Mom, we came here today with a purpose.”
    Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “Oh, you did?”
    “Yes,” Ella said, bringing up the gift bag she brought in with her and placing it on the table. She looked over at me and gave me a sweet smile, obviously getting just as excited as I was. She slid the bag to my mother across the table. “This is for you.”
    She took the bag with a confused look on her face. “It’s not my birthday,” she said, obviously trying to work out in her mind why we were bringing her presents.
    “Just open it, Mom.”
    She shook her head and opened the bag, bringing out a box one might use to wrap a sweater in for Christmas. She took the lid off and I saw her eyes grow wide with surprise. I