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“No kidding I felt a lot better about Alyssa going away to college after I found out Penny was there

Relief was an understatee without uide and protect her was difficult I made it my commitment over the years to raise Alyssa to be as self-dependent as possible, but it helped that Penny was there to help her navigate through potentially challenging situations in college life They were now inseparable and coo on my private plane to stay for the entire winter break, so we could all celebrate Christether

I didn’t blink at Alyssa’s request to bring Penny back to Chicago to stay with us The only bit of explanation Alyssa provided was a side cos She doesn’t want to deal with this new one”

Gary Marshall’s death had hit athered through Alyssa, over the past several years, things hadn’t gone well for Nikki and Penny - especially since Nikki apparently adopted a bad taste in the men she spent time with

I learned that Pennyforith her life because that hat her father would’ve wanted her to do That made me proud of her A part of irls when they announced their o to New York My concerns at the ti At least noould have the chance spend ti myself

“It’s a bit strange that Penny isn’t going hohts “I can’t io for Christument”

“I’ “I’m sure Penny has her reasons - not that it’s any of our business”

Maria waved an airy hand “Yes of course I’ve just been worried about Penny for a long time after she left Her mother is the only family she has, and Mr Marshall’s death shattered both their worlds”

“It hit everyone hard”

The rest of theticked by slowly as I kept one eye trained on the clock above the fireplace The airport was at least forty o, and that was if traffic cooperated An hour had passed since my private pilot texted to let irls were getting into one of the SUV’s I had assigned my driver to pick them up in

All that apprehension melted away the hter spilled intodown theroo s room

“Hi, Dad,” she said, rushing into ood to see you!”

I kissed the top of Alyssa’s cold head I could feel the winter chill clinging to her clothes, and it was a stark contrast to working in front of a fireplace all

“Thank you for getting us a plane,” Alyssa continued, reaching up to undo the buttons of her jacket while I followed her out of the hallway to the foyer “It was nuts trying to find a flight out before this winter stor your pilot kno to fly in this crazy weather, too”

I sood pilot, considering how o back and forth across the country”