Chapter 25
Darcy rushed around the party room at a fancy restaurant in Charlotte on a Saturday two weeks later. She set the last centerpiece
of teal-and-white roses on a round table, then stood in the center of the room. The tables were set with place cards along
with elegant place settings.
In the corner she had arranged an area for guests to take selfies, complete with teal balloons, silver balloons, and a white
neon sign spelling “McGowan”—Haven’s soon-to-be last name. A table near the room’s entrance was set up for cards and gifts.
And the waitstaff was ready to deliver their lunch as soon as the guests and the guest of honor arrived.
“What do you think?” she asked Kaylen, Lola, and Marcia.
Kaylen placed her hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “Everything looks gorgeous, and you need to relax.”
“Are you sure?” Darcy held her breath as Lola scanned the room. If anyone was going to be critical, it would be Haven’s mom.
After all, this was her only daughter’s bridal shower.
To her surprise, Lola smiled. “Darcy, it’s beautiful. Haven will be overjoyed.”
“I agree,” Marcia said. “It’s perfect.”
Darcy felt the muscles in her shoulders begin to unwind. “Okay.”
She glanced at her watch. They had fifteen minutes before everyone was set to arrive. She busied herself with straightening
the balloons on the back of Haven’s chair.
Lola sidled up to her. “How have you been, Darcy?”
“I’ve been so focused on this shower that I haven’t really had a minute to think about anything else.” She glanced over to
where Kaylen and her mother, Marcia, talked by the gift table.
Lola seemed to study her. “I hope this isn’t a breach of trust, but Haven told me you found your biological mother. I’m happy
for you.”
“Thanks. Robyn and I have been talking during the past month.” Darcy was still hurt that Robyn wasn’t ready for her to meet
her brothers, but she hoped Robyn would introduce them soon.
While Darcy straightened the light-green napkin by Haven’s plate, she considered the other question that had been haunting
her for weeks. “I’d love your advice on something, Lola.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t know how to tell my parents that I found her. I’m so afraid of hurting them, but I also feel terrible for keeping
this huge secret from them. What should I do?”
“Honey, I’ve known your folks since you and Haven were freshmen at UNCC, and I’ve always thought they were loving, supportive,
and proud of you.” Lola gave her a knowing look. “You need to be honest with them. They’ll understand your need to find your
biological mother, and they won’t be angry.”
“You don’t think they’ll feel betrayed?”
Lola shook her head, and her strawberry-blonde bob swished with the motion. “No. In fact, I bet they’ll want to meet her.
I’m sure your parents are grateful Robyn had you, and Robyn is grateful for the life they’ve given you.”
“I’m sure you’re right. I just need to find the courage.”
Voices sounded at the doorway to the private party room as shower guests began to arrive.
“Well, here we go.” Lola strutted to the doorway and began welcoming them.
Darcy took a deep breath and joined Lola. Soon the room was full of women who were friends and family members of both Haven and Derek. Darcy and Kaylen invited them to sign the guest book and find their seats.
“Everything looks lovely,” Mom said as she walked over to Darcy.
“I feel like we’ve been planning this forever.” Darcy glanced over to where Lola spoke to a few guests, recalling her advice
about telling her parents the truth.
Mom touched Darcy’s shoulder and nodded toward her dress. “You look beautiful. I’ve always said that green is your color.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Once again, she contemplated her conundrum.
“You okay, Darcy?”
She opened her mouth, but her words were cut off by a flurry of claps. She pivoted toward the doorway, where Haven stood.
She was gorgeous in a gray pantsuit with a light-blue blouse. Kaylen scurried over and placed a pink sash with the word “Bride”
over her, then Darcy hurried over with a tiara and placed it on Haven’s head.
The party spent the next two hours playing games, laughing, and eating delicious food. Throughout the shower, Darcy couldn’t
help but ponder the possibility of her own future with Carter. But in order to have that future, Darcy had to be honest with
him about her past. Would she ever be ready to share that part of herself with him?
When the shower was over, Haven graciously thanked the guests as Darcy, Lola, Marcia, and Kaylen began cleaning up. Then the
hostesses piled the mountain of gifts onto a cart they had borrowed from the waitstaff.
“Oh, good,” Kaylen said. “My brother is here.” She waved Derek over. “You can load all of the gifts into her car.”
Derek gave his younger sister a mock salute. “I’m here to serve.” Then he smiled at Darcy. “How’s it going, Darcy?”
“Everything went off without a hitch.” Darcy began gathering the name tents from the tables. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she jumped with a start.
Mom stood beside her. “Give me a task so I can help.”
“Would you like to get the balloons together for Haven?”
“Happy to.” Mom started toward the corner where Haven had posed for probably one hundred selfies with guests.
As she watched her mother, a surge of courage overcame Darcy. “Mom,” she called.
“Yes?” Her mother pivoted to face her.
“Could we have lunch tomorrow?” she asked, her hands trembling.
Mom looked surprised. “Don’t we always have lunch together on Sundays?”
“I just wanted to make sure you and Dad weren’t busy.”
Mom grinned. “We’re never too busy for you. I’ll make something special, and you should bring that handsome boyfriend of yours
too.”
“I will.” Darcy took a deep breath and resolved to tell her parents about Robyn. Then she prayed they would forgive her for
waiting so long to tell them.
***
“I could tell you were tired last night when you texted. How was the shower?” Carter asked as he steered Darcy’s car on Interstate
485 the following afternoon.
She turned toward him. “Great. We had a lot of fun. We played some games, and the food was delicious. Most importantly, Haven
was happy. She called me this morning and thanked me since we didn’t really get a chance to talk yesterday.”
“Good.” He gave her a sideways glance.
“How’s Shauna feeling?”
“She told me her morning sickness is finally subsiding. She’s tired, but she’s pushing through with work.”
“That’s great,” Darcy said. “I know you all are excited. How does it feel knowing you’re going to be an uncle?” She could
already see him playing with the twins, taking them to the play area in the park. He would be a wonderful uncle—and a wonderful
father. The thought sent a thrill racing through her.
Something unreadable drifted over his face. “Like a miracle. They’ve been hoping for a child for so long, and now they’re
going to have two.”
“I can’t wait to meet those twins.” She rubbed his neck. “Thanks for coming with me today. I’m planning to tell my parents
about Robyn at lunch.”
His eyes widened. “You are?”
She nodded, picking at the seam on her denim shorts and pondering the day ahead. While she dreaded sharing the news about
Robyn, on top of it all was the fact that it was the two-year anniversary of Jace’s death. She had almost forgotten what day
it was until she’d looked at her planner this morning. Since she’d been so focused on Haven’s bridal shower, the milestone
day had hit her like a ton of bricks. How had Jace been gone for two whole years?
A cold chill washed over her as the memories returned to her mind. She still recalled the day like it was yesterday. How he’d
been so considerate picking up her medicine. How he offered to cook dinner because she was so focused on a special project
at work. How she couldn’t reach him when she arrived home. How the house was empty. How his mother sobbed on the phone...
“Are you sure you’re ready?” Carter’s voice broke through her thoughts and transported her back to the present. “That seems
like a private family discussion. Maybe I shouldn’t have come.”
Darcy tried to focus on her boyfriend beside her. “I wanted you here for moral support.”
“I understand.” He reached over and patted her thigh. “But if you want me to leave, just tell me, okay? You won’t hurt my
feelings.”
She nodded, but she doubted she’d want him to leave. Not today. She couldn’t be left alone with her thoughts and the grief
packed around her heart.
When they arrived at her parents’ neighborhood, Carter entered the code at the community gate. After it lifted, they followed
the winding road down to her parents’ sprawling brick colonial. Carter steered the car into the driveway and parked behind
Darcy’s mother’s black BMW SUV.
Darcy swallowed a deep breath. She met Carter at the front of the car, and he took her hand in his.
“You got this,” he told her before kissing her cheek.
She smiled up at him.
They ascended the steps to the front door, and before Darcy’s hand reached the doorknob, the door swung open.
“Come in! Lunch is ready,” Mom announced, smiling.
They followed her through the house to the large eat-in kitchen, where the table was set with chicken salad sandwiches, spinach
dip, and pita chips.
“This looks amazing, Josie,” Carter said.
Mom looked proud. “Thank you.”
“What can I do?” Darcy offered, trying to steady her voice.
“I’m all set. You two sit, and I’ll call your father down. He’s upstairs on his computer.” Mom walked to the back staircase.
Carter and Darcy took their seats, and Darcy closed her eyes and tried to calm her racing heart. She was strong. She could
make it through the anniversary of Jace’s death, and she was brave enough to tell her parents about Robyn.
Carter pushed a tendril of her hair behind her ear. “Darce, you look like you’re going to pass out. Deep breaths,” he whispered. “It’s going to be fine.”
She nodded.
Dad walked into the kitchen behind Mom. “It’s great to see you both.” He took his seat at the end of the table and shook Carter’s
hand. “How’s the shop?”
“Busy,” Carter said. “The lot’s full right now.”
Mom sat down in her usual spot. “Let’s eat.”
“What kind of jobs are keeping you busiest?” Dad asked before biting into his sandwich.
“Mostly state inspections and brake jobs.”
Darcy stared down at her plate while she ate her sandwich and tried to figure out the best way to break the news to her parents.
Carter’s conversation with Dad about the shop became background noise as she silently went through conversation scenarios
in her mind.
Her eyes stung, and she held her breath.
Don’t cry! Keep it together, Darcy!
When she heard her name, Darcy’s eyes snapped to her mother’s across the table. “I’m sorry, Mom. What’d you say?”
Mom tilted her head and set her glass of sweet tea on the table. “Sweetie, are you okay?”
Darcy glanced around to where her father also watched with concern.
Carter touched her arm, and the gentle gesture gave her the courage to speak.
“Mom and Dad,” she began, “I have something to tell you.” Her heart thumped against her ribcage. “I’ve... I’ve been trying
to figure out how to admit this to you for a while.”
Her parents exchanged concerned expressions before returning their gazes to hers.
“You can tell us anything,” Dad said. Mom nodded in agreement.
“In May I signed up on a not-for-profit website to try to find my biological mother.” Her voice sounded thin and reedy. “And
I found her last month.”
Her mom’s eyes rounded, while her father seemed to remain calm.
“I’ve been talking to her, and we’re getting to know each other. She lives in Concord. She stayed in the Charlotte area just
in case I ever tried to find her.” Darcy’s voice quavered, and Carter rubbed her shoulders. “I hope this doesn’t upset you.
I love you both, and I’m so grateful you’re my parents. I just needed to find out where I came from. And I wanted to learn
my family history.”
Mom picked up a paper napkin and wiped her eyes. “Oh my goodness. I’m sorry you didn’t feel like you could tell us.”
“Please don’t misunderstand me.” Darcy reached across the table to touch her mother’s hand. “I was afraid of hurting you.
That’s why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to think I didn’t love you, because I do.”
“Maybe I should wait outside while you talk.” Carter stood.
Darcy looked over at him and considered asking him to stay, but she realized he was right.
Dad pointed to the back door. “You can go out to my garage if you’d like, and I’ll be out there soon.”
Carter gave Darcy a reassuring look, then sauntered toward the back door and disappeared into the garage.
Darcy took her mother’s hands in hers. “ You are my mom. You are the woman who raised me, but I needed to get to know my birth mother. I’ll never stop loving either of you.”
Dad nodded. “We understand, Darcy, and you know we love you too.”
“We love you with our whole hearts.” Mom sniffed. “What’s her name?”
“Robyn Decker,” Darcy replied before telling her parents everything. She explained how they talked on the phone for hours
and then met in person the next day. She shared the stories about her biological father, her birth mother’s family, and her
half-brothers.
Mom nodded slowly. “Wow.”
“You have brothers,” Dad said.
“I haven’t met them yet, but I hope to soon.” Darcy searched her parents’ expressions. “Are you angry with me?”
Dad shook his head. “Of course not. You have a right to know where you came from.” He came around the table and pulled her
into a warm hug.
Darcy rested her cheek on his shoulder and shuddered as her tears broke free.
“It’s okay,” Dad whispered into her hair. “We knew you’d want to find her someday.”
Darcy held on to her father until he loosened his grip. When she stepped out of his embrace, she found her mother beside her
with her arms outstretched. “Mom?” She watched her mom’s expression carefully. “Are you okay?”
“Of course I am.” Mom pulled her in for a hug, and Darcy held on tight.
“Thank you for understanding,” Darcy whispered.
“Of course we understand,” Mom said. “You’re our daughter.”
When her mother released her, Darcy sat down at the table with her parents on either side of her. She wiped her eyes and gathered
her thoughts. “I asked her if kidney disease runs in her family, and she said her grandfather had been on dialysis. So now
I know it’s hereditary.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Dad said. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pass it on to any future children.”
“I know,” Darcy said, but the worry still haunted her.
“Did you get photos of her?” Mom asked.
Darcy pulled out her phone. “Yeah. I also have some pictures of her sons.” She opened her photo app, and her parents each
put on their reading glasses as she started scrolling through the photos.
“Oh my,” Mom exclaimed. “You look so much alike.”
“I know. And here are my brothers.”
“They definitely look like they’re related to you,” Dad said.
She flipped through photos, and her parents looked with interest. “I would like you to meet her someday. Would that be okay?”
“Of course it would,” Dad said.
“Thank you,” Darcy said.
Mom chuckled. “Honey, she gave birth to you. We’re thankful for that.”
Darcy felt her heart lift and her shoulders loosen.
“I’m going to go check on Carter.” Dad slipped his reading glasses into his pocket. “After you two talk, we can have dessert.
Text me when you’re ready for us to come in.”
After her father walked out the door, Darcy held her mother’s hands. “I also realized this morning that today is the two-year
anniversary of Jace’s death.” She sniffed. “I’d been so wrapped up in Haven’s shower that the date completely slipped my mind.”
“I thought of that this morning too. Are you okay?” Mom’s blue eyes searched hers.
Darcy swallowed. “I’m not sure how I feel.”
Mom hugged her again. “If you need to cry, it’s okay, sweetie.”
Darcy rested her cheek on her mother’s shoulder and closed her eyes as more memories rained down on her. She had to tuck those feelings away and not reveal them in front of Carter. She wasn’t ready for him to see that side of her. She would cry with her mother and then keep this anniversary to herself.
As her tears broke free, Darcy didn’t know when or if the pain would ever stop. All she knew was that she wasn’t completely
ready to let go of Jace.