Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

When it was time for the changing of the shoes and she sat down as
Maddox, taking on the role of a father, swapped her ballet flats for high-heel
shoes, I couldn’t keep my tears from falling. Damn pregnancy hormones.
Next to me, Andrea rubbed my shoulder softly with a small smile on her
face. Maddox' family flew in from Lakestone a couple days ago to help us
prep for everything. They were amazing people.
It had taken us some time but eventually, Andrea and I talked and flattened
things out. I hadn’t admitted to anything, but I had a feeling she knew
anyway.
When Maddox and Valentina started waltzing to a slow song, I watched in
nostalgia. The two most important people in my life and the love they had for
each other never ceased to fill me with joy. I put my hand on my stomach,
knowing in five months there would be two new additions to our little
family.
But when Valentina pushed away from Maddox with a smile and he let
her, making his way to me, I frowned, not understanding why they had cut the
traditional father-daughter dance so short.
“What’s wrong?” I asked my husband as soon as he was close enough.
“Nothing. She’s waiting for you.”
He took my hand and brought me back to the dance floor as our friends
and family watched, a smile on their faces. I followed, dumbstruck, but I
didn’t understand what was going on.
Hollowside was nothing like Lakestone. I loved it here. We had friends,
some actually so close they were practically family. The latin community
was strong here too, which was always a bonus because it meant Valentina
got to grow around people who looked and spoke like us, who shared similar
cultures.