Memories in Sea Glass: Driftwood Key Beach Reads #2

25. Jess

Jess watched Liberty embrace her husband, feeling so happy that she thought the joy might just lift her off her feet and into the starry sky.

Liberty and Chase were meant to be together. They were perfect for each other through and through. Nothing could be more right than seeing them renew their vows, more in love now than ever.

Suddenly, Jess was weeping.

She pressed her hands to her face to hide her sobs. This wasn’t a pretty cry with tiny tears of happiness sliding down her cheeks. For some reason, she felt overwhelmed with emotion, like something inside her had let loose. Her back hitched as she bit back her sounds, desperate not to have her outpouring distract from Liberty’s happy moment.

For a moment, the family moving to Liberty and Chase to congratulate them seemed to be coming from far away. She heard Glory squeal with joy, followed by a sound that was an awfully lot like she had thumped Chase’s back.

“Mom,” Glory yelled. “Wasn’t that amazing?”

Jess begged herself to get it together.

“She’s too happy to speak,” Clint said, before she found the words. “Also, maybe a little overexcited to plan another wedding.”

Everyone laughed and Jess felt Clint’s warm arm around her, guiding her away, even as she kept her hands pressed to her eyes.

“Hold on, baby,” he murmured softly. “Let’s find Mary.”

Baby…

The word echoed in her mind, but she couldn’t stop crying long enough to question it.

“Oh Jess,” Mary’s sweet familiar voice said. “Let’s walk and talk about this wonderful news.”

Clint’s big arm disappeared, and for a moment Jess felt unmoored again. Then Mary was pulling her into one of her surprisingly strong hugs.

“You’ve been through so much,” she whispered to Jess. “It’s understandable to be overwhelmed sometimes. No one is looking at you right now, so just let it out, honey.”

Jess felt herself go limp with relief as she sobbed in Mary’s arms like she was a child again.

“I’m happy for them,” she said at last, pulling back and wiping the tears from her eyes. “I really, really am. I don’t know what’s going on with me.”

“You love having all your daughters here with you,” Mary said fondly. “And this is another transition. A truly happy one, but it still tugs at your heart, doesn’t it?”

Jess nodded, pressing her lips together to stop from sobbing again. She hadn’t even thought of it consciously yet, but Mary was right. This meant Liberty would be leaving again.

“You’ve lost so much, my girl,” Mary said. “But you’ve always, always rebuilt. And you’ll regroup after this, too, and be all the happier for it, because she’s happy.”

It was true.

“What would I do without you, Mary?” Jess whispered, trying to memorize Mary’s beautiful brown eyes and warm smile.

“Oh, you’d be just fine,” Mary chuckled. “But I’ll keep you close as long as you let me, and try to let you go with grace if you ever want to leave me again.”

Leave?

Jess thought of Chase and Liberty adopting a little one and realized there was a version of her future that might not be in Driftwood Key, after all. Or that might not be here full-time, at least, if there was a grandchild somewhere needing her.

Her eyes searched the beach frantically at the thought, and her heart pounded when they landed on Clint, shaking Chase’s hand.

“He’s a good man,” Mary said softly, and Jess assumed she was talking about Chase.

“Yes,” she agreed.

“He would never let you down,” Mary told her. “If you gave him the chance to love you.”

Clint. She means Clint.

“You see everything, don’t you?” Jess asked, her eyes still on Clint.

“At my age, I’ve seen it all at least once,” Mary laughed. “Makes it easier to spot things again—warning signs, opportunities, and even true love every once in a while.”

“I can’t hurt him,” Jess said softly. “I couldn’t bear it. And my life is… well, I’m still figuring it out.”

“He’s stronger than you think,” Mary replied, her voice flinty.

Jess turned to her, surprised.

“Forgive me,” Mary said with a self-deprecating smile. “I’m protective of my children, you included. But I meant what I said. Clint is stronger than either of us could know.”

Jess pictured the gruff angel repairing houses, carving driftwood, and playing with little Fern, his big hands gentle and protective, in spite of whatever had left scars on his heart.

“I believe you,” she whispered.

“Are you two already planning the ceremony?” Joanie asked, approaching them with a big smile. “Any chance you’ll be needing some flowers? I know a certain someone who’s dying to gift them to the happy couple as a wedding present.”

“Oh, Joanie, that’s too much,” Jess told her, pulling her in for a big hug. “Of course Liberty will want you to do the flowers again, but we’ll pay like everyone else.”

“Are you guys already making wedding plans?” Becca called out, jogging over. “I know she wanted a beach wedding last time. But if she decides on something different this time, I can book the resort space for her for free and I’ll bet Dan would let us cater in the restaurant at cost.”

“Wow,” Jess said, blown away. “You know, I think we ought to get Liberty in on all this when she’s ready.”

As if summoned by the thought, Liberty headed toward them with a big smile on her face and Chase’s hand linked in hers.

“Oh, honey,” Jess cried, fresh tears springing forth, and just the right kind this time. “I’m so happy for you both.”

Liberty hugged her tight and Jess inhaled slowly, reminding herself not to mourn her daughter leaving when she had every reason to be filled with joy for her instead.

“Chase, get in here,” she managed, opening one arm for him.

Chase wrapped them both up, and when Jess stole a glance at him, she could see his eyes were wet with unshed tears of happiness.

“Now, I want the two of you to be ready for a lot of input,” she said, pulling back a little. “Everyone here is very excited about your wedding, and they’re being incredibly generous. But I want you to do things your way, okay. I’m just here to help and pick up the check.”

“We can pay our own way,” Chase said firmly.

“Yes, but if you do you’ll hurt my pride,” Jess said. “So save it for plane tickets down to visit me, okay?”

“Oh, Mom,” Liberty whispered, pulling Jess close again.

At least I’m not the only one who’s a little emotional about her leaving,Jess thought to herself as she held her daughter close as the fireworks ramped up to the big finale.

Liberty pulled back and they watched the sky light up together. Waterfalls of shimmering sparks filled the sky and reflected on the water, the pops whirrs of the rockets echoing in the night air.

In the distance, they could just see shimmers of the fireworks display happening on Key West.

The world isn’t so big,Jess told herself. We’ll be together again.

She could feel Clint’s eyes on her even before she turned to find him gazing at her with such warmth it almost hurt to look at him.

He’s stronger than you think.