“He did. You’re like our own daughter too, you know.”

“If I can have with Joe, even a shadow of what you and Edward have, I’ll consider myself blessed. Joe is a good man. He loves me. He makes sure we always have red licorice and pie. He listens to me and laughs at my jokes. He’s good to all my nieces and nephews. Of course it goes without saying his dog is fabulous. And he knows my family is important. It’s important to him too. I never thought love could be like this.”

“Well then, good. Congratulations, honey. He’s one long tall drink of water. Sure will be nice to have another gorgeous man to look at on Sundays for dinner.” Polly winked.

That acceptance of this thing with Joe by her family had been important. His family had been amazing as well. Oh, sure, the relationship with his mother was slow. His mother had a whole lot on her plate. It wasn’t what Tate had with Polly, but that was all right too. There was only one Polly in the world, anyway.

But his father was doing well on his most recent course of treatment. His mother was accepting that he could be actually getting better. His sister and her kids and husband were coming out for Christmas.

It was good. And strong. Full of promise and laughter. And that was all she could ask for and more.