Chapter Eighteen
A great deal had happened between the time the ferry reached Seattle and Christmas Day for Beth and Logan.
Olivia had her chance to see Santa with her parents at her side.
For the first time since Logan had decided to move out, they’d talked.
Really talked, baring their souls to each other.
Even after reconciling, Beth knew Logan was nervous about spending Christmas Day with her family.
Logan admitted that his pride had gotten in the way of doing what was best for his family.
Learning that Beth’s parents had pitched in to ease the financial burden following Olivia’s birth had made him feel like less of a man.
For reasons she couldn’t fully understand, he felt that he had failed in his responsibilities.
Beth willingly admitted her own part in the breakup of their marriage.
She should never have hidden her family’s participation in paying off their debts.
She’d meant well, but it had backfired on her and wounded her husband.
Then, instead of dealing with the issue, she’d done her best to pretend everything was fine when it clearly wasn’t.
If only they’d been able to talk earlier, then these two years of misery might have been avoided.
The contrast between the way he’d grown up and Beth’s childhood was striking. His father was an alcoholic and his mother had run off when he was a teenager. Logan hadn’t talked to either of them in years.
As a result, he’d never been completely comfortable around her close-knit family when his own had been so completely dysfunctional. Hard as her parents and siblings tried, Logan found it difficult to fit in.
It went without saying how much he loved Beth and adored their daughter. However, being part of a real family had overwhelmed him. He admitted he never understood what Beth saw in him. He’d never been unconditionally loved and accepted, and he struggled with finding his place in the fold.
At family functions, he was prone to sit back and watch, although he had to admit he enjoyed himself.
They parked in front of Beth’s family home. Beth noticed that Logan’s hands remained on the steering wheel, as if he were afraid to let go.
“It’s going to be fine,” she assured him, gently placing her hand on his forearm.
His nod was weak. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen your parents, and I guess I’m worried that we’re all going to be uncomfortable. Should I mention it? Or would it be best to say nothing?”
Beth’s brow creased as she considered his question. “Play it by ear. My thought is that if anyone questions you leaving, it will be my dad. For Mom’s part, I think she’s pleased we’ve reconciled for Olivia’s sake, knowing how much our daughter loves her daddy.”
“I’d hoped to bring your parents a gift . . .”
“Logan,” Beth said reassuringly, her hand tightening over his forearm. “You’re giving my parents the best possible gift they could ever want.”
He turned to face her, his eyes full of doubt.
“You’re gifting my parents with a happy daughter and granddaughter.”
“Daddy,” Olivia said from the back seat. “Are you going to live with us forever and ever?”
Even now Olivia needed to be reassured that her daddy wouldn’t leave them again.
Logan relaxed. “Yes, pumpkin.”
“That’s my best Christmas present ever. And next year, I want you and Mommy to give me a little sister.”
The blood drained from Logan’s face, and he chuckled.
“All in good time,” Beth told her daughter, smiling herself.
Logan reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’d like that, too.”
“Me, too,” Beth said, nearly bursting with all the love she felt for her husband.
While Logan helped Olivia out of the rear seat, Beth collected the sweet-potato dish.
It was a family favorite and something she could contribute for their dinner.
Josie, her younger sister, who was home from college, threw open the front door and raced down the sidewalk to greet them.
Keith, Beth’s older brother, was spending Christmas with his wife’s family.
“Aunt Josie, Aunt Josie, Santa brought me an iPad and socks and a Christmas dress. See?” Olivia whirled around, the bright red skirt flaring out as she turned two full circles. “Isn’t it pretty?”
“It’s beautiful and so are you.”
“I know,” Olivia said, as if it were a well-known fact. “My daddy tells me that all the time.”
Beth’s sister laughed and hugged Olivia. Taking hold of Olivia’s hand, she smiled at Logan. “Good to see you, Logan. Merry Christmas.”
From the warmth of her sister’s greeting, some of the stress seemed to leave his shoulders.
Logan stood beside Beth. “I’ll carry that,” he said, removing the casserole dish from her hands. Olivia and Josie were already inside the house. When Beth arrived, Olivia was entertaining her grandpa, showing off her Christmas dress, dancing around like she was part of a ballet.
Beth followed Logan into the kitchen, where her mother was busy preparing dinner.
Her mother’s eyes lit up when she saw Logan.
“Where would you like this?” he asked, already feeling uncomfortable.
Her mother dried her hands on her apron and pointed to the counter. “Set it over there. How long does it need to be in the oven?”
“Thirty minutes,” Beth supplied. “At 350.”
“Got it.” She walked over to Logan. “It’s good to see you, Logan.”
And then, to his surprise, she opened her arms wide and hugged him tightly. “I hope you know you broke our daughter’s heart,” she whispered in his ear.
Logan swallowed hard and nodded. “I do, and I have no intention of doing it again.”
“Then we’re good,” Irene said, and released him.
Logan nodded and swallowed tightly, his eyes full of emotion. “Thank you for agreeing to let me come for Christmas,” he said, and his voice grew hoarse with emotion.
“No need to thank us,” she continued. “You’re family.”
Family. He had a family, a real one, with love and acceptance. He’d been a fool to turn his back on the very thing he most craved.
“Dinner will be ready soon,” Irene said, as she returned to cutting the fresh fruit for the salad.
“What can I do to help?” Beth asked.
Logan left the women in the kitchen and wandered into the family room, where Grant, Beth’s father, was being entertained by Olivia.
A football game played on the television, and not knowing what else to do, Logan sat in the chair next to Grant.
When Logan first met Beth’s family, he’d half expected them to tell their daughter she could do better.
Likely the only reason they didn’t was because it was clear how deeply he loved Beth.
God knew he was crazy about her. Then and now. Even more so now.
They’d met when he signed up for a night class in marketing. He first saw Beth in the school library and couldn’t take his eyes off her. It took three weeks before he found the courage to ask her out for coffee. It stunned him when she agreed.
That night they’d talked for hours. Soon they met after class, and she helped him study. When he passed both courses with high grades, she’d thrown her arms around him, and they kissed. Logan thought he’d gone to heaven, he was so in love with this vivacious, beautiful woman.
When Beth brought him home to meet her family, he hadn’t known what to expect. Certainly not this easy acceptance. Even with all the odds stacked against him, Grant and Irene had welcomed him with as much enthusiasm as they would have a trust-fund baby.
Logan saw Beth every day that summer. When she returned for her last year of college, he was convinced she’d forget all about him. It made no sense that she’d stick with him when she could have any college guy she wanted.
Instead, they stayed in constant communication with texts and phone calls, often lasting for hours.
He was so in love that he walked around with his head in a cloud that entire year.
By going without lunches and eagerly working every chance for overtime, he was able to buy an engagement ring.
When she agreed to become his wife, he was over the moon.
The next step was getting Grant’s permission to marry his daughter. He wanted to do everything right, even if that meant losing Beth.
His heart was in his throat when he approached Grant. His father-in-law had asked a few questions, mainly about why Logan loved Beth, and he’d wanted to know about his future plans. Logan had nearly wept when Grant said he approved and gave the union his blessing.
Logan’s attention was on the football game. The look Grant sent him messaged that he’d like for them to talk. Before he had a chance, however, Irene stepped out of the kitchen.
“Dinner’s ready,” Irene announced. He hadn’t noticed that the food had been set on the table. Standing, he moved to the formal dining table and took his place next to Olivia, with Beth on the other side of their daughter.
“Can I say the blessing?” Olivia asked, looking to her grandpa for permission.
Grant smiled and nodded.
Everyone bowed their heads.
“Thank you, God, for Christmas, and my iPad, and most of all for my daddy and mommy and my new sister or brother when the time is right and for Aunt Josie and Grandma and Grandpa and for sweet potatoes. Amen.”
“Amen,” Logan repeated, and caught Beth’s gaze to find her smiling at the mention of a little brother or sister.
Over dinner, Logan didn’t join in on the conversation, although he enjoyed the lively chatter that effortlessly flowed around the table. Beth’s family recounted Christmases past and the years when the three Walsh siblings woke up at the crack of dawn, eager to open their gifts.
His childhood Christmases couldn’t compare.
After a wonderful dinner, Logan helped with the dishes. He was about to go back to watching the football game when Grant asked him into the den.