65. A Happy Secret
SIXTY-FIVE
A Happy Secret
TARA
A long string of pine garland lined the walls of the newly annexed room in the Hyler building where the Baileys were celebrating the holidays with their employees. Large red bows, each with a few jingle bells hanging in the middle, made the scalloped design of the garland especially festive. In one corner near the back, three tables covered with food stood sentinel below the pictures of Between the Lines Bookstore through the years. The pictures ranged in time from before it opened in 1972 to Thanksgiving just a few weeks earlier.
Ken and Helen Bailey always had their party catered to enjoy it with their family and employees. The main course came from DiMonaco’s as usual because no one made better pasta than Matteo DiMonaco. Beyond that was the traditional display of homemade cookies made by the four Bailey children. They always made way too many, of course, but they still also included a variety of delicious pastries from Jenna’s Boulangerie.
In the same room as they held the Ohio Author’s Showcase the month before, more tables sat end to end for everyone to use during dinner. Each place setting included a box of chocolates from Jelly Roll’s Confectionery. Tara and Tristan closed the shop while Helen, Ken, and Tiffany got the room ready for the party. Theo took charge of the music, setting up his wireless speakers in the room to fill it with Christmas tunes.
“Finally, we can relax for a few hours.” Tara breathed out as she placed the till and the weekend deposit in the office safe. She turned to smile up at Tristan.
“You’ve done a great job with the shop, Tara,” he said honestly. “I’ve only worked a couple of days here and there, but it’s easy to see the improvements that are being implemented. Mom and Dad are happy with it as well.”
Tara glanced up, her smile widening at her brother’s compliment. “Thanks! I certainly hope so. We’ve worked hard, and it’s nice to see Dad finally getting back into things.”
“He said he’ll be walking with a cane for a while…” Tristan started as Tara double checked the report she just finished running on the office computer.
“But at least he’s finally walking again,” she added while typing the last couple of keystrokes.
“Exactly.”
“I know he’s been itching to get out of that wheelchair.”
“Seriously though, Tara, you brought it back from the brink, I hear.”
“I don’t know about that. It needed help, sure, but I don’t think it was quite as bad as it sounded.” She defended the shop. “I’ve definitely seen worse.”
“But this is our family’s shop. Our family needed the help, and you didn’t think twice about taking time off work. You did that,” Tristan’s eyes bore into hers, “when the rest of us couldn’t. Never sell yourself short. No matter what, you did a great thing here. You really did.”
“Thanks, Tris.” Tara signed off the computer and leaned back in her chair with a slow exhale. “I guess it’s time to get out there, huh?”
“Yes, but…” Tristan teased her sister with a mischievous grin.
“But what?” Tara narrowed her eyes.
“Let me break some news.”
“News?” She perked up. “What news?”
“You’re going to be an aunt!” He blurted out with no preamble.
Tara squealed and tackled her brother with a big hug, knocking him back against the wall. “I’m so excited!” Her voice pitched up at least an octave. “How far along are you?” Tara wrinkled her forehead. “I mean Emily. When is she due? Is it a boy or a girl?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” He laughed while returning her hug. “Slow down.”
“Tell me everything!” Tara grinned as she pulled back to see her brother’s excited face. “Oh. Wait… how?” Her grin dropped, and her head tilted slightly. “I mean, I know how, but when? You were at sea.”
“She flew out to visit me at the end of September while we were in Okinawa for a couple of weeks. I had seventy-two hours off ship, and we pretty much didn’t leave the hotel room…”
“Stop right there.” Tara held up her hands, feigning trauma. “I don’t want any more detail.”
“Fair enough.” He laughed. “It’s early days yet, and you’re the only one we’ve told so far. But…” he stood up straighter, “as my twin, I wanted you to be the first one to know.”
Tara couldn’t wipe the smile off her face if she tried, so she jumped back in for another hug. “I’m so happy for you, Tris.” She sniffed.
“Thanks!” He pulled back. “Wait. Are you crying?”
She sniffed again and wiped a tear from her cheek. “No? Why?”
They both laughed.
“When will you tell everyone?” Tara wiped another tear off her grinning face.
“Christmas. We’ll be at twelve weeks, so it should be safe to share.” He looked as if he might burst with excitement. “We’re due at the end of June. Emily’s just beginning to get over her morning sickness. It’s been rough, which is why she hasn’t been coming down for breakfast as much since we’ve been home. The thought of scrambled eggs and bacon makes her stomach churn.” He chuckled. “I’ve been eating a lot of cold cereal in solidarity.”
“Oh, Tris.” Tara shook her head with a smile. Eggs and bacon was their dad’s favorite morning meal. “I’m so happy for you both. I’m going to be an aunt!” Giddy with excitement, she practically bounced up and down.
“Mom and Dad are going to be thrilled knowing their first grandchild is on the way.” She shut off the light to the office. “You know, it’s going to be hard for me to keep this a secret for another two weeks.”
“I know, but I believe in you.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they stepped out of the office and closed the door behind them. “I always have. Besides,” he winked. “We’re good at keeping secrets. In fact, there might be one more coming out before the night is over?”
Tara stopped in her tracks. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Trust me, Tara.” Tristan gave her another quick hug. “It’s a good one.”