21. Sophie
Chapter twenty-one
Sophie
T he sound of the doorbell echoed through the house, pulling me away from the cozy nook I’d found in the living room. I padded over to the door, wondering who it could be, only to find Madi on the other side, her arms laden with boxes that seemed to teeter precariously.
“Hey, Soph, give me a hand, will you?” she panted, her brow furrowed in concentration as she tried to balance the load.
“Sure thing,” I replied, taking some of the boxes from her. “What’s all this?”
“Wedding stuff. Mom’s turning the house into a command center, and I needed a break from the chaos,” Madi explained, stepping inside and glancing around.
“It looks to me like you brought some of the chaos with you.”
We made our way to the dining table, spreading out the contents of the boxes—an assortment of table decorations and favors that sparkled and shimmered with promise.
“You’re clearly very comfortable here,” Madi teased, beginning to unpack a set of delicate glass vases. “Blending in with Ben and his little family, huh?”
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. “It’s not like that. I mean, Caleb’s adorable, and Ben’s been...amazing. But it’s complicated, you know?”
Madi raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. “Complicated, my ass. You look more at home here than I’ve ever seen you. Admit it, Soph, you’re loving this domestic bliss.”
I rolled my eyes, even as a part of me knew she wasn’t entirely wrong. “Okay, maybe it’s nice, having some stability for a change. But let’s not jump the gun here. I’m not exactly the settling down type.”
Madi chuckled, arranging the vases in a neat row. “Says the girl who’s playing house with Mr. Dreamy and his cute kid. Face it, Soph, you’re one apron away from becoming a tradwife.”
I swatted her arm, unable to suppress a laugh. “Shut up, Madi. Let’s just focus on these centerpieces, okay?”
For the next hour, we lost ourselves in the task, threading flowers into vases and tying ribbons around favors. The work was surprisingly therapeutic, the rhythm of our movements a familiar dance we’d perfected over years of sisterly bonding.
As we worked, Madi’s teasing gave way to more sincere conversation. “You know, Soph, I’m really glad you’re in town for this. With everything going on, it’s nice to have you close.”
I glanced up, meeting her gaze. “I feel the same, Madi. Being part of all this, helping with your wedding...it’s made me realize how much I’ve missed you.”
Madi reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “I’ve missed you too, Soph. More than you know.”
The sincerity in her voice warmed my heart, a stark contrast to the playful banter that had filled the room moments before. “Maybe this whole experience is a sign, you know? That it’s okay to want more, to want a life like this.”
Madi nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Maybe it is. And for what it’s worth, I think you’d be great at it. You and Ben, you’ve got something special.”
The mere mention of Ben’s name sent a flutter through my heart, a confirmation of the depth of my feelings for him. “Thanks, Madi. That means a lot, coming from you.”
We finished the centerpieces in comfortable silence, each lost in our thoughts. As we packed away the last of the supplies, Madi stood, stretching her arms above her head.
“Look at us, Soph, making wedding magic,” she said with a grin. “Who would’ve thought?”
I laughed, standing to join her in a hug that felt like a balm to my soul. “Only you could turn wedding prep into a bonding session, Madi.”
She hugged me back tightly, her voice soft. “Just remember, Soph, no matter where life takes you, you’ve always got a place here, with us. With your family.”
“Yeah, I wonder about that. Don’t you think mom and dad will like having the house to themselves after you’ve moved out?”
“No, I don’t. I think they can hardly wait for grandchild sleepovers. And since Jake can’t be bothered to get married, and you’re ‘not exactly the settling down type’, I guess I’m going to have to step up to the plate and give them one.”
“Oh, Madi! Are you and Theo planning for one already?”
“Well, we’ve certainly discussed it.”
“And how did that discussion go, exactly?”
“We’ll take a year to settle in together and then I think we’ll probably go for it.”
“Madi, that’s awesome! I can hardly wait.”
After an emotional hug, Madi and I settled back into our chairs, the weight of the earlier conversation lifting as we moved on to lighter topics. With the centerpieces done, Madi rummaged through one of the boxes and pulled out a package of cookies, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“Snack break?” she offered, tearing them open.
I laughed, grabbing a cookie. “You remembered my favorites!”
Munching on the cookies, Madi’s curiosity bubbled to the surface. “So, spill the beans. You and Ben...have you guys, you know, hooked up yet?”
I nearly choked on my cookie, coughing and laughing at the same time. “Jesus, Madi! You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”
She shrugged, unapologetic. “What are sisters for, if not to pry into each other’s love lives?”
I shook my head and lied. “No, we haven’t ‘hooked up.’ It’s not like that. We’re just...figuring things out.”
Madi waggled her eyebrows. “Figuring things out, huh? Sounds like a romcom in the making.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “Maybe it is. But it’s complicated, you know? With everything going on...”
“Yeah, I get it,” Madi said, softening. “But for what it’s worth, I think he’s good for you. And Caleb too, for that matter. He sounds like a great kid—an easy intro to child rearing."
Speaking of Caleb made me think of a moment that had warmed my heart just days ago. “Caleb’s amazing,” I said, my voice tinged with affection. “He asked me the other day if I was going to stay with them forever.”
Madi’s expression softened. “What did you say?”
I sighed, the memory vivid in my mind. “I told him I’d be around as long as they wanted me. He gave me a hug that almost squeezed the life out of me.”
“That’s so sweet,” Madi cooed, clearly touched. “You’re already like family to them, Soph.”
Her words resonated with me, stirring something deep inside. “It feels like that sometimes,” I admitted. “Being with Ben and Caleb...it’s made me see things differently. I never thought I’d fit into this kind of life, but now...”
“Now you can’t imagine being anywhere else,” Madi finished for me, understanding dawning in her eyes.
“Yeah, exactly,” I said, feeling a sense of belonging I hadn’t realized I’d been craving.
“How about we make some sandwiches?” Madi suggested. “I’m starving.”
I nodded, grateful for the distraction. “Sounds good.”
In the kitchen, we worked side by side, assembling sandwiches with an assortment of fillings we found in the fridge. The simple act of making lunch together, something we’d done countless times growing up, felt comforting, grounding.
As we sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily, ranging from wedding plans to childhood memories, the laughter and banter a balm to the soul. It was moments like these, I realized, that truly defined family—not just the big, life-changing events, but the quiet, everyday interactions that wove the fabric of our relationships.
Finishing our meal, Madi packed up the wedding decorations, her earlier teasing replaced by a warmth that spoke volumes about our reconciled bond.
“Thanks for today, Soph,” she said, genuine affection in her voice. “I’ve really enjoyed this.”
As we headed to the front entry with the boxes, the sound of the front door swinging open and closing with a soft thud caught our attention. Then Ben came striding in, a look of concern etched across his face, which was unusual for his typically calm demeanor.
“Hey, what’s up?” I called out, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
Ben approached us and nodded at my sister. “Hi, Madi. Looks like you two have been busy.”
I didn’t give her a chance to answer. “Ben, has something happened?”
“You’re not going to believe this,” he started, his voice tight with tension. “I got a call from a buddy of mine that I used to work with. He’s a total computer geek, and he’s been monitoring some local fan sites and blogs for me, trying to track down any leads on your stalker.”
Madi, who had paused with her hand on the door, slowly turned back. “And?” she prodded.
Ben pulled out his phone, scrolling through until he found what he was looking for. “He found a blog, a Sophie Wright fan page. But here’s the kicker—the admin’s been posting some pretty obsessive stuff. And with some digging, he managed to trace the account.”
My heart started to race, a mix of fear and anticipation swirling in my chest. “Do they have a name?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ben nodded, his expression grim. “Yeah. He pulled a DMV photo. I want you to take a look, see if you recognize him.”
He turned the screen toward us, displaying a photo of a man with an all-too-familiar face. My stomach dropped as recognition dawned on me. “Shit,” I breathed out, the curse slipping out before I could stop it. “I’ve seen him. Around the café a couple of times. Always thought he was just a regular, but...”
Madi leaned in for a closer look, her brow furrowed. “That’s the guy? The one who’s been making your life hell?”
Ben tucked his phone away, his jaw set. “Looks like it. But now that we have a name and a face, we can do something about it.”
“What is his name?” I asked.
“Derek Williams.”
“Williams! Then he was the guy at the book signing. I didn’t remember what he looked like.”
The room was thick with tension, the three of us now united by a common purpose.
“What’s the plan, then?” Madi asked, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of concern.
Ben ran a hand through his hair. “First, we show this picture to everyone—starting with the security guys and then the police. Then, let’s see if the police will bring this guy in for questioning. If they don’t, for whatever reason—they may not even be able to find him, then I’ve got a backup plan. I’m not taking any chances.”
I felt a surge of gratitude for Ben’s protectiveness, mixed with a rising tide of anxiety at the thought of facing my stalker. “And what about me? Is there anything I should do?”
“Any chance I can keep you locked up in the house? Seriously though, be alert at all times,” Ben advised, his gaze locking with mine. “And keep a low profile when you’re out and about. We don’t want him to have any access to you, but we also don’t want to spook him before the cops have a chance to step in.”
Madi, ever the protective sister, chimed in, “And I’m sticking around. No way I’m leaving you to deal with this crap alone.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her fierce loyalty, a welcome light in the midst of the gathering storm. “Thanks, Madi. It means a lot, having you here.”
As Madi and Ben continued to strategize, a thought struck me, casting a shadow over the newfound resolve we’d just established. The timing couldn’t have been worse, with Madi’s wedding just around the corner. The last thing I wanted was for my problems to overshadow her big day.
“Wait,” I interjected, my voice cutting through their conversation. “Madi, your wedding. We can’t let this...mess spill over into your plans. It’s your day, and it should be perfect.”
Madi turned to me, her expression a mix of determination and concern. “Soph, I appreciate that, but we’re talking about your safety here. The wedding can take a backseat if it needs to.”
I shook my head, adamant. “No, absolutely not. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for you, and I won’t be the reason it’s anything less than you’ve dreamed of. We’ll deal with this stalker situation without letting it interfere.”
Ben, who had been silently following our exchange, nodded. “Sophie's right. We’ll handle the situation discreetly. The last thing we want is to cause a panic or draw unwanted attention.”
I could see the protest forming on Madi’s lips and hurried to reassure her. “Listen, maybe we can beef up security but still keep it low-key, especially around the wedding events. The focus should be on you and your happiness, not on...this.”
“Is that possible?” I asked Ben. He nodded.
Madi’s eyes softened, and she reached out to squeeze my hand, her gratitude evident. “Thanks, Soph. But you’re part of this family too, and your safety is just as important as any wedding.”
I smiled, touched. “I know, and I promise we’re taking this seriously. But let’s not give this guy the power to ruin what should be the happiest day of your life.”
Ben interjected, practical as ever. “We’ll coordinate with the venue’s security team, make sure they’re on high alert without making it obvious to the guests. And I’ll have a few of my own guys stationed discreetly around the perimeter.”
The plan sounded solid, and I felt a flicker of hope that we could indeed manage this crisis without casting a shadow over Madi’s wedding. “See? We’ve got this under control. Now, let’s focus on the happy stuff, like finalizing your playlist and taste-testing the cake.”
Madi laughed, the sound a balm to the tension that had filled the room moments before. “Alright, alright. You win. But Sophie, promise me you’ll speak up if things get too much, okay? The last thing I want is for you to feel like you have to handle this all on your own.”
I nodded, the knot of anxiety in my stomach easing slightly. “I promise. And hey, with Ben’s security detail, I’ll be the safest maid of honor in history.”
We shared a laugh, the warmth and familiarity of our bond a stark contrast to the cold threat that loomed outside. But in that moment with Madi and Ben, I felt a surge of courage. No matter what lay ahead, we would face it together, and not even the darkest of shadows could dim the light of Madi’s upcoming celebration.