The characters and gift aren't mine.
"Hey, Ranger. Look ..." Steph announced, walking into my office with Olivia in her arms and a box in her hand. "It says it's from Julie."
I hid my surprise. This is the first time Julie's done something without discussing it first. It's clear we've reached a point where she's comfortable with emotional displays because she knows they'll be reciprocated. I tucked the thin blanket back around Olivia after her legs excitedly kicked it off when she saw me.
"Olive definitely loves you."
"She doesn't have a choice right now," I said.
"We do have a choice ... and it's to always love you. Do you want Olivia or the box?"
I reached automatically for our daughter, but kept my eyes on what my oldest one sent. Steph took the knife off my belt and cut through the packing tape. I grinned when she held up a plate featuring two green olives.
She laughed as she read out loud the words the olives said to each other. "'Olive you ... Olive you more'. If Julie didn't already have a crap-ton of parents, I'd adopt her."
