53. Blair
53
BLAIR
L ate morning sunlight streams through the lace curtains of Mrs. Winston's B&B. I trace lazy patterns on Ransom's chest, enjoying the quiet morning. Getting kicked out of the house could have been worse. This bed is comfortable, but it’s Ransom that makes it so perfect. We could be in a tent on the hard ground, and I'd be happy. That's a scary thought, but also a really comforting one, because he's not going anywhere. He loves me. I love him. And we're a team.
The rest of it will work itself out. Maggie will come around, or she won't. And it will kill me if she doesn't. But Ransom will still be here.
My phone buzzes, and I roll over and I grab it with a groan. "It's Maggie." I sit up, clutching the sheet. "She wants us both to come over."
Ransom's arm tightens around my waist. "Now?"
"Yeah." Whew. My heart's racing. Her message is short and sweet. No emojis, no hint of how she's feeling. "God, what if she's still mad? Do you think she was serious about making me pack up my stuff?"
"Hey." He kisses my shoulder. "One step at a time."
We shower quickly, though Ransom tries to distract me with wandering hands. I swat him away. "Focus. This is important."
"I am focused." He grins. "On you."
"Maggie's waiting." But I can't help smiling. And the satisfied look on his face tells me that was the whole point. He wanted me distracted. And my mind off all of the worst case scenarios playing through my head.
Outside, the morning air is crisp. Ransom takes my hand as we walk, his thumb rubbing circles on my palm. It's a calculated decision. She can’t kick me out if I don’t have my truck. It’s not like I can carry all my stuff, right?
"This has to be good. She wouldn't call us over just to yell again, would she?" I squeeze his fingers.
"No, love, I don't think she would."
I stop, staring up at his face. Those features are so familiar and so precious to me. "She's my best friend, Ransom. She held my hand at Dad's funeral. She's been there for everything, and I can't lose her, especially not like this. Not angry."
Ransom pulls me close, kissing my forehead. "Then let's go fix it."
A few doors down from the house, Max zooms past us on his bike, wearing his red helmet.
"Where are you headed, buddy?" I call out.
"Adventure!" He skids to a stop, gravel crunching under his tires. "I'm gonna find buried treasure in Mrs. Peterson's yard."
"Stay where I can hear you if you shout, okay? And watch for cars."
Max rolls his eyes. "I know, I know. I'm not a baby."
"And don't dig up Mrs. Peterson's flower beds again."
"That was one time!" He throws his hands up. "And I replanted them."
"Upside down," I laugh.
"The roots needed sun." He pedals in a wobbly circle around us. "They were probably happier that way."
"Sure they were. Now scoot, but be careful!"
“Yes, Mom,” he says with every ounce of sarcasm his six-year-old body can muster. Then he sticks his tongue out and races off down the sidewalk.
Ransom chuckles beside me. "Look at you being all parental."
"What? No, I just?—"
"You absolutely did. Complete with the 'watch for cars' and everything." He bumps my shoulder. "You're good at it, you know. The mom stuff."
"I'm not trying to replace Maggie."
"Of course not. But you can still be there for him. You already are." He gestures toward Max's retreating figure. "That kid knows you've got his back. And you're clearly ready to handle whatever comes."
His confidence in me makes that band around my chest a little looser. I pull him down for a long kiss.
"What was that for?" he asks against my lips.
"Just for being you."
He tugs me the last few steps to Maggie’s front gate, then up the stairs. I reach past him and open the door, stepping into Maggie's living room cautiously. I wouldn't put it past her to call us over just to throw rotten tomatoes or some other shit at us. Thankfully, she doesn't look pissed anymore. She's sitting in her favorite armchair, a thick manila folder on the coffee table in front of her. My throat tightens—she looks so small, drowning in that oversized sweater.
"I'm sorry." Maggie's voice cracks. "I shouldn't have kicked you out."
"It's okay." I perch on the edge of the couch, Ransom settling beside me.
"No, it's not." She taps the folder. "I've been looking through everything. These treatment options... there's more than I thought."
"And?" I lean forward.
"And I'm scared." Her hands twist in her lap. "What if I go through all this just to…”. She doesn’t finish the thought, but I know what she’s thinking. Just to end up dead anyway.
"I'm not selling you a guarantee," Ransom cuts in. "Just a chance."
“But Max is in school. I can’t just leave him.”
"We'll take care of him." The words burst out before I can stop them. She’s actually considering it. Yeah, she’s thinking up excuses still, but this is progress. I can tell.
Maggie shakes her head. "That's not fair to you either. The scales are all out of whack here."
"Since when has anything about our friendship been about keeping score?" I move to kneel beside her chair. "We're there for each other. And right now, it's my chance to be there for you."
"Blair's right." Ransom's voice is gentle. "And it's not just us. My whole family's ready to help."
"I can't ask that of strangers."
"They're not strangers anymore. Max spent a bunch of time with them last weekend." The way he says that 'last weekend' is jarring. Has it only been a week since everything changed? It feels like much, much longer. On the surface, it's crazy that we're jumping into this. Are people going to think we're out of our minds?
Maybe. But I can't bring myself to care. Not even a little bit.
Maggie's fingers brush the folder again. "The success rates though.”
“I don’t know what’s in that folder. But I do know that the chances have to be better than zero,” I say, staring at her. "Which is what you're choosing right now."
She rubs at her brow, face grave. "I'm tired of fighting."
"Then let us fight for you." I grab her hand. "Please, Mags."
"Max is already comfortable at my place in Chicago," Ransom says. "And I'll be here most of the time anyway. Between Blair and me, we've got this covered."
That familiar stubborn look crosses her face. "You can't put your life on hold.”
"I'm not. I can run the company from anywhere. I'm already doing that. And if I have to go in, it's a quick day trip." Ransom leans forward. "And we'll bring Max to visit you wherever you need to go for treatment. As often as possible."
"I just..." Maggie's voice breaks. Tears spill down her cheeks. "I don't want to die. I know I acted like I was ready, but I'm not. I want to see Max graduate. I want to be there when he falls in love. I want–” she covers her face with trembling hands.
I pull her into my arms. "Then fight. We're right here with you."
"I'm so tired," she whispers against my shoulder.
"I know." I stroke her hair, my own tears falling. "Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for trying."
"What if it doesn't work?"
"Then we deal with that when it comes," Ransom says. "But right now? We focus on getting you better."
I catch Ransom's eye over Maggie's head. His expression mirrors what I'm feeling, hope mixed with fear. We both know there's no guarantee, but at least now we have a chance.
"Promise me something?" Maggie pulls back, wiping her eyes. "Promise you won't let Max forget me if it doesn’t work.”
"Stop." I grab her hands. "First of all, we’re going to stop that. From this moment forward, we’re going to hope for the best. And second, how could he ever forget you? You're his mom. The best mom on the planet."
"I let him eat ice cream for breakfast this morning. Would a good mom do that?" she manages a watery laugh.
"A good mom, no. A totally unforgettable one? Absolutely."
"Thank you." Ransom's voice is rough with emotion. "For being willing to try."
"I haven't agreed to anything yet." Maggie dabs at her eyes with her sleeve. It's one last gasp of her resistance, and I watch as it falls. She's going to try. We all know it. Even if she can't bring herself to say it.
Even if she can't bring herself to hope. She might not believe. But that's okay. I'll do the hoping for both of us.
"Evie's ready to walk you through all of this." Ransom taps the manila folder. "She's on standby, actually. Said she'd drop everything to chat with you about the options."
"Evie? But she's got her hands full at the hospital.”
"She wants to take a leave of absence anyway. Said she'd stick with you through the whole thing."
"That's ridiculous, I can't let her drop her whole life for me.”
"Shut up." Ransom's words are gentle despite their bluntness. "Let people help you. That's what family does."
That stubborn glint comes into her eye. "You and I aren't family."
"Blair loves you. You're her sister in every way that matters. And Blair's mine. So yeah, you are family. And you're fucking stuck with me."
Maggie shakes her head, but there's a hint of a smile. "You two deserve each other. You're both impossible."
"Ha! Look who's talking. You're one of the most stubborn people I've ever met." I squeeze her hand.
Maggie scowls but doesn't deny it. She waves us toward the door. "I'll call Evie. You two go... do whatever it is people in love do."
“Mags,” I whisper, not ready to leave her.
"No, I mean it. Go enjoy the day. I need some time to process anyway." She stands, wobbling slightly. "And maybe take a nap."
"You sure?"
"Yes. Now get out of here before I change my mind about everything."
She heads for the couch, and Ransom takes the blanket off the back and tucks it around her once she's settled. "Call if you need anything. I mean it."
"I will. Now go away and let me rest."
I kiss her forehead. "Love you, Mags."
"Love you too. Even when you're being annoying and refusing to leave my house."
"We're going, we're going." I back toward the door, pulling Ransom with me.
We walk back toward town, my steps lighter than they've been in weeks. The morning sun warms my face, and for the first time since Maggie's diagnosis, I feel like I can breathe.
Ransom's fingers thread through mine. "You okay?"
"Better than okay." I lean into him. "I know it's not a guarantee, but just having her willing to try..." My voice catches.
"I see those wheels turning." He bumps my shoulder. "You've been carrying this weight for so long."
"I kept thinking about Max. About having to tell him someday that we didn't do everything we could." I don't know how I'd look him in the eye and tell him that I just let his Mom give up.
Now I won't have to, thanks to Ransom and his willingness to break the law if it means helping the people he loves.
We reach the town square, settling onto our bench. I tip my head back, letting the sunshine warm my skin. Everything feels different. Everything feels possible.
"Want to head to the garage?" Ransom asks, his thumb tracing circles on my palm.
"No." I rest my head against his shoulder. "There's nothing urgent today. I'd rather sit right here."
The square fills with morning sounds of birds, distant traffic, the creak of shop doors opening, neighbors chatting and laughing. Ransom holds my hand against his thigh, steady and warm. We sit in comfortable silence, watching our town come alive around us.
It feels right, being here with him. Like the past twenty-five years were just a long detour bringing us back where we belong.
"We've got a problem!" someone yells from behind us. I crane my neck to look, but Ransom puts his fingers on my chin and turns it back to face him.
"If you don't look, maybe he'll go away," he whispers.
"Did you hear me?" Another shout. Then a very large body, still in glittery pink overalls, stops in front of us. "It's fucking serious, Ransom."
Ransom stares at Colton, his lips twitching. "What the fuck are you wearing?"
I bite my lip to keep from laughing as Colton smooths his hands down the sparkling pink fabric.
"Remember that stripper guy? He told me where to get these. Overnight delivery." Colton beams, spinning in a circle that sends glitter cascading everywhere. "They match Mia's bedroom walls perfectly."
Ransom tugs me closer against him, chuckling. "Why are you here, Colt? What's the problem?"
"Jonas won't let me have the house by the pond!" Colton throws his hands up, glitter flying. "You have to talk to him. He's being completely unreasonable."
Ransom's brow arches. "What house? What pond?"
Colton sighs like Ransom is so annoying. "Keep up! I want one of the ones that backs onto the pond, but Mr. Spreadsheet over there says no."
Jonas appears around the bench, glaring at Colton. "It's not safe for Mia to live that close to water."
How are these guys still here? Where did they stay? We would have heard them at the B&B, wouldn't we? Did they sleep in their cars? Borrow another bus? What?
I have so many questions!
"She can swim!"
"She's four!"
"Almost five," I correct automatically. They both ignore me.
"Look," Colton jabs a finger at Jonas. "You're having a baby too. By your logic, you shouldn't live near the pond either."
"My child will be properly supervised at all times.”
Colton gasps. "Are you saying I don't watch Mia?"
"I'm saying you let her get away with everything."
"Only on special occasions!"
"My point exactly!" Jonas turns to us, sighing. "I stand by my decision, but I am aware that we will have to allocate the homes based on other’s opinions as well. So what do you think?" Jonas's eyebrows are raised expectantly.
Ransom and I trade glances. "Do you have any idea what's going on?" I ask under my breath.
"Nope," he says, idly brushing at a bit of lint on his jeans. "But Jonas will fill you in I'm sure. Won't you, Jonas? You wouldn't want Blair to feel left out."
Jonas shifts his gaze to me, and he slowly nods. "I have purchased that development just outside town. The one owned by Angela. We will have to finish the houses to our standard, but I think they should be ready to move into by the fall."
I sit forward on the bench, because what the fuck? "Wait. What? You bought that whole property?" The parcel was huge. There was only one small section of it developed so far with the mini mansions, but the plan was for nearly two hundred homes. "It's huge."
Ransom's smiling, not looking that surprised. "How many houses are framed out there?"
"Twelve," Colton chimes in. "We could make one into a clubhouse or something."
"Or save it for other family members."
"Right. That would be good too, I guess."
I hold up my hand, bringing everyone's attention to me. "Are you guys moving here?"
Jonas gives me a duh look, but thankfully lowers himself enough to explain. "Ransom loves you. You live here and do not want to leave. Therefore, we have to come to you."
My stomach drops. "Wait. You're going to all pick up your lives and move here? That's insane."
"That would be insane," Colton agrees. "Not all of us are moving in full time. We're just going to get it set up for weekends and shit. I think a few of us will move more permanently before too long."
My mouth drops open, so I force myself to shut it and look at Ransom. "What’s happening?”
"I don't know for sure, but it seems like my family has figured out a way to keep everyone together."
"Just like that?"
He smiles and tips my chin up, pressing a gentle kiss to my mouth. “Yeah love. Just like that." He leans back, eyes lit with joy. "Family sticks. And my family is stickier than most."
"Yup," Colton says cheerily, "you're stuck with us now." Then he turns serious eyes on Ransom. "I get the house closest to the pond, okay?"
Apparently, that's Jonas's breaking point. With a scowl, hands balled up at his sides, he turns on Colton. "You are a pain in my ass!"
Colton just grins. "You're welcome."
With a low growl, Jonas reaches out, grabs the top of the overalls, and yanks. I am completely unprepared for how easily the two sides come apart. But they do. Within a second, Jonas is holding a large scrap of sparkly pink material, and Colton is standing in front of us in a white t-shirt and Superman briefs.
Ransom's hands cover my eyes as I double over laughing. “Oh God! I did not need to see that!"
"Superman underwear. Really, Colt?" Ransom's chest shakes with laughter against my back.
"They were the only clean ones!" Colton's voice fades as he takes off after Jonas. "Get back here with my overalls!"
I lean into Ransom's solid warmth, unable to stop giggling. "Is it always like this with them?"
"Pretty much." He drops his hands but keeps his arms wrapped around me. "Usually with less public nudity though. Usually."
"I can't believe they're moving here." The laughter fades to a warm glow in my chest as I turn to face him. "Your whole family."
"Our family." His eyes crinkle at the corners. "If you want them."
"Even with the random stripping and property wars?"
"Especially with those." He brushes his thumb across my cheek. "You fit, Blair. You always have."
The morning sun catches his face, highlighting the hope and love I see there. Twenty-five years melts away, and I'm that teenage girl again, falling for the boy who saw past my walls. Only now he's a man who's built a family big enough to include us all.
"I want it," I whisper. "The chaos, the love, all of it."
His smile could light up the whole town. "Good. Because they're already planning Christmas."
"It's April!"
"Jonas likes to be prepared."
A distant shout draws our attention to two grown men wrestling over sparkly pink fabric in front of the coffee shop. Mrs. Winston stands in the doorway shaking her head, while Angela films the whole thing on her phone.
"That video is going to go viral."
Ransom snorts. "Wouldn't be the first time."
"Should we break it up?"
He tips my chin up and lowers his lips to mine. "Later. Right now, we have better things to do."
Yeah, we really do.