Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
D espite grey clouds looming above, rain had not yet fallen, and Lacie hoped it’d stay that way until she was safely on the plane and in the air. She stepped out of South Haven’s grand entrance, and had no idea when she’d be stepping back in. If she was able to come to the next family reunion, she’d have a young baby to bring along. Unless she could somehow get her family to visit the States instead, to reunite and of course meet their new family member. But one plane ticket was a lot cheaper than several. And she couldn’t think that far ahead yet.
Penny wheeled out Lacie’s suitcase and Ellie carried the overnight bag, Martha fiddling with the scarf around her neck as though she couldn’t get it in the right position. ‘You sure you don’t want one of us to come with you, help you with your bags, see you off?’
Lacie shook her head. ‘No need, Mum, I’ll be checking in the suitcase pretty much right away anyway, and the carry-on bag isn’t too heavy, and I’m not…’ she glanced around to make sure no one else had suddenly appeared, ‘ that pregnant yet.’
‘Still, make sure you take things easy when you get back okay?’ Martha rubbed Lacie’s arm. ‘And give yourself some time to catch up on sleep and get over the jet lag.’
‘I will, I’ve got a few days off before I start seeing clients again.’ She glanced at her watch. The airport shuttle should be here any minute. Her mother had insisted on paying for it, to save her having to handle her luggage on the train, though she’d managed perfectly well when she’d arrived, but after seeing that little heartbeat on the screen… maybe she should take things easier from now on.
She was glad she’d already said her goodbyes to the other members of her family earlier, and Penny had arrived with the kids extra early for aunty cuddles before they got dropped off at school. It was hard to hold back the tears, knowing they’d have grown even more by the next time she saw them, but she’d make sure to have lots of extra video calls with them. ‘Don’t forget, Mum, don’t tell anyone else about you know what until I’ve… until I say, and wait till after the twelve-week mark anyway. Especially with Chris and Melina, I don’t want them getting upset.’
‘My lips are sealed.’ She drew a line with her fingers across her mouth. ‘But do keep us posted.’
‘Of course.’
The sound of a car gradually became louder, followed by the sight of a shiny black sedan. ‘I thought it was going to be a van or a bus,’ Lacie said.
‘No, I wanted you to have a comfortable car all to yourself.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’ She smiled, then sighed. ‘Well, this is it.’ She held out her arms to her mother as the car turned into the driveway, and Martha gripped her tightly.
‘It’s been wonderful having you here again. Oh, I’m going to miss you!’
‘I know. Me too. But I’ll call as soon as I get home, and I’ll update you regularly, don’t worry.’ She imprinted the sensation of her mother’s hug into her memory, knowing too well how quickly life could change. She wanted to be able to draw on the memory whenever she needed it, and she had a feeling she might need it a lot in the coming months.
The driver got out of the car with a smile on his face. ‘Lacie, I presume?’
She nodded.
‘Let me get your luggage into the boot.’ He took the suitcase then the bag from Penny and Ellie, leaving their arms free for goodbye hugs. ‘I’ll give you all a moment.’ He got back into the car.
She hugged Penny, whose eyes had already become glossy, and her sister sniffled into her shoulder. ‘Hey, no tears. If I start, I won’t stop,’ Lacie said, clamping her lips together tightly. Penny pulled back and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. ‘Have a safe flight, and let us know when you land.’
Lacie nodded then turned to Ellie, but her youngest sister’s eyes were clear and strong, as though she’d been practising holding it together after her big night of emotion at the start of the holiday. ‘Send me a silly selfie when you get back. Something fun I can look forward to,’ she said.
‘I promise.’ When Lacie pulled back from their hug, she saw over Ellie’s shoulder that Nathan was peeking through the half-opened gate next to the garden entrance. She gave him a smile, at least she hoped it appeared as one. A bittersweet feeling twisted inside.
He held up his hand in a firm wave; not a ‘see you tomorrow’ wave, but an ‘I may not see you for a long time’ wave. She returned it with a knowing wave of her own. Martha waved too, then ushered for him to come over but he pointed his thumb over his shoulder. ‘I better get back to what I was doing. Just wanted to wish you a safe flight, Lacie.’
‘Thanks, Nath.’ She gave a nod. ‘Can’t wait to see what you do next with the place.’
And can’t wait to see you again… whenever, if , that was going to happen.
‘I’ll take photos,’ he replied, then offered a final wave and a smile before disappearing behind the gate and the hedging. Lacie swallowed a gulp, and tried to imprint the image of his goodbye into her memory also. Not to mention last night’s kiss. What a whirlwind two weeks she’d had.
She managed another quick hug for all three of them, then got into the car before she got too emotional, double checking she had her passport and travel documents in her handbag. She plastered her best smile on her face as the car slowly moved, waving with enthusiasm at her family as they waved back, and Ellie pulled funny faces that made her laugh. It was good to see her sister smiling again after how down she’d been at first. The visit to their dad’s grave must have helped with her healing.
When they were out of sight, she leaned her head back on the headrest and exhaled.
‘Going on holiday?’ the driver asked.
‘No,’ she replied. ‘Just had one. I’m going home.’ Her voice broke on the word home and she cleared her throat. She didn’t know if that was because she also missed Chicago and couldn’t wait to get back, or because her home was also here in Tarrin’s Bay and she didn’t know which home was more home to her anymore.