Chapter 36
Beth
Watching the kids run around the gardens of the Sunshine Centre, searching for colourful toy Easter eggs for their small wicker baskets, was making Beth smile no end. She sat back in a patio chair beneath a red canopy while Spencer bounced Archie in front of a large ornamental rabbit over by the entrance to the nature reserve.
It was hard to believe it was the middle of April. February seemed years ago not months. The changes during that time seemed unreal, and Beth was so thankful for the life she was living now. No more dark clouds over her head, no shivers and shakes keeping her awake, and no more feeling alone.
Had someone told her what was in store when she moved to Port Berry, she wouldn’t have believed them. Just the community spirit alone was heart-warming.
‘You look deep in thought,’ said Matt, sitting down by her side.
Beth smiled. ‘Oh, I was just having a surreal moment. It just blows me away sometimes when I think about how much my life has changed since moving to Port Berry.’
Matt chuckled. ‘Tell me about it. I have those all the time, and it’s been a year now since I moved here.’
‘They’re a friendly bunch, aren’t they?’
‘Best circle of mates I’ve ever had.’
Beth bobbed her head. ‘Me too.’
Matt glanced over the small wooden table between them. ‘When you’ve been stuck in one long dark tunnel for so long, then you come out the other end somehow and the light is so beautiful, it feels like magic.’
Beth grinned. ‘Do you think Port Berry is enchanted?’
Matt chuckled. ‘If it is, then my Sophie was definitely a magical potion that helped raise me to the next level in this game of life.’
‘Aww, Matt, that’s so sweet.’ She smiled at his blush, then followed his gaze to Sophie. ‘I hear you’re getting married this December.’
‘Yeah, that blows my mind. I still can’t believe how blessed I am.’
Sophie waved him over, and Beth watched him walk into his fiancée’s embrace. It was lovely to witness such love, and her heart warmed even more when she spotted Spencer approaching.
Just like Matt, she too felt blessed.
‘Hey, is that my lemonade?’ asked Spencer, pointing at the blue glass on the table.
‘Yep.’ She smiled at him as he sat, Archie on his knee.
Her phone buzzed, showing the last email to come through from the paternity test clinic. Spencer hadn’t wanted to know about them, but she had looked when alone, smiling as each one proved he was the father.
‘What are you grinning about?’ Spencer asked, peering over at her while Archie tugged on Spencer’s Best Captain Ever badge sewn to a lanyard, gifted to him by the children.
Perhaps she should share the news, even though he had proven it didn’t matter. They loved each other and Archie so much, and life was good. She knew Spencer believed her, but part of her really wanted to share the results with him.
She leaned closer, offering a warm smile. ‘Last paternity results just came back. Another yes to you being Archie’s dad.’
‘I believed you. I put my name on Archie’s birth certificate.’
‘I know, but I still wanted to show you. You’re a good man, Spencer Jordan, and we’re lucky to have you.’
‘I’m the one who is blessed.’
She reached over the table to stroke his arm. ‘I can’t stop smiling at how happy we are.’
He smiled. ‘We’re doing all right, you and me, aren’t we?’
‘I’d say. With our offer on the cottage accepted, and me getting a new job, life is blimming well brilliant right now.’
‘Don’t forget our new car.’
Beth’s heart warmed some more. ‘I hope whoever buys your flat finds our kind of happiness.’
‘They might already have it.’
She gazed around at all the love she could see. Happy families, laughing children, snuggling couples. ‘Do you ever have that feeling like your heart might just explode from all the joy inside you?’
Spencer gave her hand a gentle squeeze. ‘Every time I look at you.’
Beth kissed his knuckles as she giggled. ‘Smooth line, Spence.’
‘Hey, I was being serious.’
She placed his hand to her cheek, and he lightly stroked her skin with his thumb.
‘Come on, Beth, let’s have a dance.’
Laughing, she stood, cuddling into her family, and swayed to the muffled sounds of something about bunnies hopping. Spencer started to sing along, making her laugh some more.
Archie gurgled as though joining in, and Beth couldn’t hold herself back from kissing his chubby cheek. She then turned to give Spencer a peck on the cheek too, but he moved so their lips met, and he grinned on her mouth.
‘I’ve come to the conclusion that you’re my best friend,’ she whispered.
He nudged her nose with his own. ‘Is that right?’
Beth smiled. ‘You make everything better.’
‘No, Beth, you did that all by yourself. You made the changes you needed, and you helped yourself.’
His words hit home. She really had taken all the steps Jan had shown her, and her life had only changed when she got up and did something about it, but he was part of the process. He had shown compassion and understanding, given her an extra set of hands, and a group of new friends.
She gazed deeply into his cool blue eyes. ‘You are so loved,’ she said softly.
He pulled her closer, kissing her cheek. ‘So are you, Beth.’ He kissed Archie’s head. ‘So are you both.’
THE END