Keeley was still formulating a reply when Violet spoke again, her words tumbling out as before.

“I don’t even know why he’d like me like that! We grew up together; we’re practically siblings! How could anyone see their childhood friend in a romantic light? Nobody marries people they’ve known since they were little kids!”

She frowned. Had her dad never told Violet how he met his wife? They had been childhood friends, too, though they met a little older than Violet and Noah. And he’d missed her until the day he died.

“My parents did,” Keeley said simply.

This completely derailed Violet. “What? Grandpa never said anything about that!”

“It’s true! They were pretty much the only children of a similar age in their apartment building, so they played together all the time. My mom was his best friend for most of his life; that’s why he never moved on after her death,” Keeley explained.

A minute of silence followed before Violet thanked her, hung up, and asked Keeley to have fun on the last day of her cruise and to say hi to Dad for her. Keeley was pretty sure she knew what that silence meant. She pondered it.

Her husband looked up from his phone on the bed. “What did Violet need?”

“She broke up with Jeremy because Noah told her he was in love with her and made her choose. She needed some motherly advice.”

Aaron sighed. “I should have known something like this would happen. Did Vi seem upset about the breakup?”

“Not as much as I would have thought, considering she supposedly really liked him. I think she was more upset about losing Noah,” Keeley admitted, sitting beside him.

He shook his head, a small smile on his face. “Well, it’s about time Noah said something. It’s been… twelve, thirteen years?”

Honestly, Keeley thought it was longer. That boy had been attached to Violet since they were toddlers. Even before he understood love, it was obvious he loved their daughter more than anything.

“I hope everything works out,” she worried. “Losing Noah would crush her. He’s basically her only real friend.”

Aaron patted her hand. “You’re worrying for nothing. If she chose him over her boyfriend, she’ll realize she’s in love with him sooner or later. We both know he’s the only person she’s completely comfortable around. Kind of like I am with you.”

He was right. Violet’s personality was always quite similar to her father’s. Both were “one person only” types. She wouldn’t risk losing her person for anything.

Everything would likely work itself out. There was no point worrying about it from a different continent. Violet was an adult capable of making her own choices.

Keeley smiled at her husband and kissed him. “You might be right. Come on. The hot tub awaits.”

Violet couldn’t believe it. Her grandparents had been childhood friends?! How could that be when Grandpa was so deeply in love with his wife that he never got over her? She’d always thought they had the love story of the century.

Robert didn’t talk much about his wife, except in passing, because it was too painful. Most of what she knew came from her mother. But when he did talk about her, he had the same soft expression Aaron had when he looked at Keeley.

She’d read many romance novels and watched many chick flicks. Most characters met and fell in love as adults. Even high school sweethearts were rare.

Her dad had fallen in love with her mom as a high school senior but didn’t pursue her until after college, while she worked on her PhD. Most happily married couples she knew had met as adults.

Technically, the Quinns had met in high school but didn’t start dating until after graduation. No one she knew had fallen in love with a childhood friend. Except her grandpa, apparently.

Since Robert was gone, there was only one way to investigate. She needed the photo albums and home videos her mother had brought from her dad’s apartment.

“Kaleb! I need you!” Violet yelled. She still couldn’t get up.

He appeared within a minute. “You rang?”

“Could you find Mom’s old photo albums and home videos, please? The ones from when Grandpa and Grandma were kids, too. I’ve never seen those.”

Kaleb raised an eyebrow. “A bit random, but… they’re probably in a closet somewhere. Wish me luck avoiding an avalanche from the top shelf.”

“Good luck, soldier.”

He laughed at her seriousness before leaving. Ten minutes later, he returned with albums and DVDs in clear cases. He eyed the technology with distaste.

“Mom really needs to digitize these. It’s lucky we even have a DVD player. Anyway, have fun. What do you want for dinner?”

Violet considered. “Something with red meat. It’s been ages.”

Kaleb nodded before leaving. “Shout if you need help with the DVDs.”

“I will, thanks, Kal. You’re the best.” Violet blew him a kiss, and he blushed, muttering about her being too mushy.

(The final paragraphs about stolen content have been removed as they are not part of the text to be cleaned up.)