Chapter Twenty-Eight
Beck leaned against the doorway between the kitchen and dining room, coffee mug in hand, watching the organized chaos unfold.
“Carl, could you grab that folding table from the garage?” Grace called from the kitchen, her voice bright. “The one against the back wall?”
“On it.” Carl set down his coffee mug and headed for the garage, side-stepping a cluster of Grace’s neighbors who were visiting in the kitchen.
Beck followed suit and trailed him, lifting one end of the table. “Figured you could use a hand.”
“Appreciate it.” Carl grabbed the other end.
Together, they navigated the narrow doorway back into the house and into the dining room. Despite the fact the formal table was groaning under platters of bagels, pastries, and fruit, Grace had apparently decided to set out more food.
“Where are we supposed to put this?” Beck asked.
Carl grimaced as they maneuvered around a pair of mismatched chairs someone had dragged in from god-knew-where. “By the window, I guess.”
Beck eyed the available floor space with a raised brow. “That won’t be tricky.”
Carl sighed. “She’s been planning this for weeks. I’ve learned not to question the vision.”
Beck bit back a grin. “Smart man.”
They set the table up, and Carl clapped him on the shoulder, the gesture both welcoming and accepting, before heading back toward the kitchen.
Beck rolled his shoulders and let his gaze sweep the room.
The house was already filling up—neighbors, church friends, a few people Beck vaguely remembered meeting at the reception last night. The air smelled like fresh coffee, cinnamon, and the flowers leftover from the wedding.
Grace moved through the space with ease, filled by warmth and the low hum of conversation. She was clearly in her element, stopping to hug arrivals and direct them toward the food.
Sunlight poured through the windows, catching on champagne flutes lined up for mimosas. It should’ve felt perfect—relaxed, warm, the morning after a wedding well done.
And it did. Mostly.
Except…
Beck’s gaze drifted across the room and snagged on Seth. His chest tightened.
Seth handed Hudson a stack of napkins, murmuring something that made the kid nod and head toward the dining room.
On the surface, everything looked fine. Seth smiled when someone thanked him for moving a chair.
He laughed when Carl made a joke about the mimosas being stronger than the coffee.
He played the helpful son. Polite. Relaxed.
Beck couldn’t put his finger on why…but he wasn’t buying the act.
He glimpsed a tightness around Seth’s eyes he hadn’t seen yesterday. He seemed distracted. Guarded. Something that didn’t belong at a family brunch. He went through the motions with an empty smile in place.
But Beck swore Seth’s mind was somewhere else entirely.
Most people wouldn’t notice. A glance around the room confirmed that everyone else seemed oblivious. Beck wanted to believe he was overreacting…but he knew Seth too well to believe that.
“Coffee?”
Beck turned to find Heavenly at his elbow, holding the carafe and smiling up at him. She looked happy, almost giddy. And seemingly unaware of whatever storm was brewing inside Seth’s head.
“Yeah, thanks.” He held out his mug, watching as she poured. “You doing okay?”
She sent him a secretive smile. “Great. One of the best days ever, don’t you think?”
God, he ached to take her in his arms and kiss her.
Monday. After Seth finally told his mother the truth, they’d never have to pretend again.
But until then, he had to suck it up and behave like a pal.
He sent her a strictly polite nod, but added a touch of warmth to his voice. “Amen.”
As if she remembered their act, Heavenly blanked her expression and spun away to offer coffee to more of Grace’s guests.
Seth stared at them with an unreadable expression that had the wheels in Beck’s brain turning faster.
The pregnancy.
That had to be what was freaking Seth out. He’d seemed fine most of the weekend.
Until this morning.
After Liam’s text, Seth had sworn that, despite his fear, he wanted this baby. But maybe the reality was proving too much. After all, fatherhood wasn’t abstract anymore. Heavenly was pregnant. They were having a baby by summer.
Or maybe Seth was concerned about Hudson’s response to their growing family. After all, the kid had already run away from his mom’s because of a newborn. Was Seth worried it would happen again? Surely he knew they’d work together to make damn sure the teenager felt valued and accepted.
“Fresh coffee is ready,” Grace called from the kitchen. “Carl, can you bring the spare pot?”
“On it.” Her new husband headed back toward the kitchen.
Time dragged. Beck kept watch. Grace and Carl’s friends came and went. Seth seemed absorbed by mundane tasks. He carried more folding chairs inside. Hudson trailed behind him like a shadow, mirroring his father’s movements.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Grace said, wiping her hands on a towel as she hurried toward the front door.
When she pulled it open, Cat and Blake stood on the porch, all smiles, the morning sun lit behind them.
Grace welcomed them inside.
Cat pulled her new stepmother into a warm hug. “There’s the bride! How are you feeling?”
“Wonderful.” Grace squeezed her back. “I’m so glad you could stop by before your flights.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Blake kissed Grace’s cheek, then turned to his father. “Hey, Dad. Did you save any coffee for us?”
“Pot’s fresh.” Carl gestured toward the kitchen. “Help yourselves.”
“And eat up!” Grace insisted. “They don’t feed you anything on those planes anymore.”
“You’re right.” Blake grimaced. “And it’s a long flight back to Tokyo.”
“I’m only going to Indiana, but I’m still eating everything I can before our Uber comes. Nothing is worse than airport food.” Cat reached for a plate.
Blake poured himself a mug and grabbed a pastry, then settled against the counter near Seth. “Morning. Hell of a wedding. You gave a good speech.”
“Thanks.” Seth’s expression warmed slightly. “Sorry you have to leave so soon.”
“Me, too. But reality calls, you know?” Blake took a bite. “I’m just glad I was able to get some time off work. Seeing Dad this happy, and getting to meet you, your mom, and your brothers makes the long flights worth it.”
“It was great meeting you and Cat as well,” Seth said automatically.
Blake nodded. Their conversation stalled, as if Seth suddenly lacked the patience for social skills. Then he excused himself and grabbed more coffee.
Whatever plagued Seth’s thoughts wasn’t letting up.
Cat drifted over to where Heavenly was arranging fruit on a platter, the two of them chatting quietly. Grace hovered nearby, smiling happily when the doorbell rang again.
Grace opened the portal to reveal a familiar man with graying hair and sharp eyes that cataloged the scene in a single sweep. He stepped inside with the easy confidence of someone who’d been here a hundred times before.
“Gene!” Grace’s face lit up.
“Morning, newlyweds.” Gene Hammond’s voice was gravelly and warm. And when he hugged Grace, it was brief but genuine.
“Glad you’re here,” Carl said, shaking Gene’s hand.
“Me, too.” Gene’s gaze swept the room, landing on Seth with a grin. “There’s the troublemaker.”
Seth looked up, and for the first time all morning, something like a real smile crossed his face as he strode toward the man and offered his hand. “I was hoping you’d choose brunch over fishing.”
“Only for the Cooper clan. Besides, I wouldn’t miss one of your mom’s spreads.” Gene smiled, shaking Seth’s hand with a fatherly grip on his shoulder.
As more friends and neighbors arrived, the living and dining rooms filled with the hum of voices and laughter, layering over the clink of glasses and the rustle of plates.
Grace’s phone rang shrilly on the counter. She glanced at the screen, frowned, and answered. “Danny? Is everything okay?”
Beck watched her expression shift—concern replaced by relief.
“Oh, no. Poor baby.” Grace pressed a hand to her chest. “No, no, don’t even think about it. You stay home with Anna. She needs you more... Yes, of course. Give her a kiss from Grandma... Okay. Love you, too.”
She hung up and sighed. “Anna’s sick. Danny and Maggie aren’t coming.”
“Oh, I hope she’s okay,” Heavenly said with concern.
Grace waved a hand. “I’m sure she will be. You know how babies are. They get sick all the time until they build up their little immune systems. But they said to say their goodbyes to you, and they hope they’ll see you soon.”
“Give them all a hug from me,” Heavenly murmured as Seth slipped past her, slinging an arm around her waist and pressing a kiss to her cheek on his way to the table with a platter of muffins.
His mother frowned. “Have you heard from the twins? They should be here by now.”
“No.” Seth quickly set the muffins down and pulled out his phone. “I’ll call them.”
“Thank you. Those two...”
Beck couldn’t miss the annoyance in Grace’s tone. He sidled closer and exchanged a glance with Seth as he dialed. “Twenty bucks says they’re too hungover.”
Seth snorted. “As drunk as they were last night? I’m not taking that bet.”
Then he stepped into a quiet hallway. Beck couldn’t hear the conversation, but saw the exact moment Seth’s jaw tightened.
Moments later, he returned with a scowl. “Yep. They’re hungover, and they’re not coming. When the fuck are they going to grow up?”
“When they’re dead plus ten days?” Beck quipped.
“You’re being optimistic.” Seth crossed the room to Grace. “They’re…not well. Sorry, Mom.”
Grace closed her eyes briefly, shaking her head. “You mean they drank too much and now their heads are pounding?”
“They were all apologies and said they’ll see you later.” Seth’s tone was dry. “I tried texting back…but they stopped answering.”
Grace’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “I’m going to throttle them.”