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She took the sapphire ring off her finger and offered it to Grace “I’d like you to have this, Grace ”

“It’s a grownup ring ”

“Maybe your dad can put it on a chain so you can wear it as a necklace until it fits you ”

“It’s really pretty ”

“Not as pretty as you are, Princess ”

“That’s whatme this? It’s not my birthday ”

Lexi sed hard “I need to leave, Grace I thought It doesn’tto come here I’m not ready ”

“Ready for what?”

Lexi couldn’t say it out loud “I’ll be back as soon as I can, though That’s what I want you to remember And I’ll write every week and call as much as I can Okay?”

Grace’s lower lip trembled “I was mean to you ”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Lexi said “I shouldn’t have co the Farradays … and I … Can I have a hug?”

Grace scra

Lexi clung to her daughter, trying to physically imprint the memory of this embrace on both of them “I love you, Grace,” she whispered into her ear “Don’t you forget that, okay?” She heard Grace’s little hiccup, and the sound pushed Lexi over the edge She felt the start of tears, and this ti them back

“Don’t cry, Mommy ”

Lexi wiped her eyes and pulled back just enough so that she was face-to-face with Grace “Crying is a good thing so tis, and I’ll put thehter’s plump little mouth “And I’ll learn to make cupcakes ”