33. Madison
MADISON
One Month Later
“Gah, I’m so excited! But also really nervous.” I laid my hand against my chest. “It feels like my heart is going to explode.”
“Well, we can’t have that,” Alistair said, winking at me from across the shop.
“Okay, that’s not helping.”
He laughed and dropped the last case of bottled water on the floor, sliding it beneath the refreshment table, then crossed the room, catching me around the waist.
I wound my arms around his neck, sinking into the comfort of his arms—the one place in the world I would always belong.
“Tonight is going to be fabulous,” he promised.
“You think so?”
“How could it not be?” He gestured around at the shop. “Look at everything you’ve accomplished over this past month.”
“I think it was a bit of a team effort,” I said, squeezing his hand. “Thank you, by the way. For indulging all my grand opening ideas.”
Tonight was the official friends and family soft launch of Madison’s Magic before the shop officially opened next week, and the space really did look incredible.
There was champagne for the adults, juice and snacks for the kids, beading kits set up at various stations, pearly balloons strung across the ceiling, and dazzling jewelry pieces filling all the display cases.
I’d also launched my website earlier in the week, which had included sign-up forms for the first of my child and adult craft classes.
Both already had a waiting list more than ten people long.
Alistair had called me an instant success, and that meant a lot coming from him—a man who’d built his own company from the ground up and continued to invest in the most promising start-ups around the world.
I sucked in a deep breath as I smoothed my hands down the front of my dress. “Okay, how do I look?”
“Exquisite,” he said, catching my face in his hands and pressing his lips to my forehead. “I’ve never seen anything more breathtaking. You’re practically glowing with enthusiasm.”
My breath caught in my throat. I shook off the heat that burned in my cheeks from his compliment. “Oh, did we ever pick up the themed desserts?”
“Nope,” he said.
My face fell.
Alistair pecked me on the nose. “Weston dropped them off earlier.”
I exhaled slowly, grateful for the people we called friends. “Perfect. Then I think we’re ready.”
“I think the massive queue standing outside would agree.”
I giggled. But before I could make my way to the door, he caught my hand, squeezing.
“You are going to be a fantastic business owner.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. I invest in businesses for a living, and I know a winner when I see one.”
My jaw trembled.
“No tears,” he said. “At least not yet. You have an entire evening of people gushing over you to get through first.” Alistair led me to the door, pulling out his phone to film me as I unlocked the bolt.
“I can help!” Kenna called, appearing from the back room. She was wearing bright pink leggings topped with a tutu decorated with rainbow pearls. Princess yipped in excitement, chasing along at her heels, wearing the fancy collar we’d bedecked with sea glass charms this morning.
“Okay,” I said, letting Kenna lay her hand over mine on the door. “On three, ready? One.”
“Two,” Kenna said.
“Three!”
We flung the door open, and a cacophony reached us.
It was full of oohs and ahhs and excitement and murmurs of congratulations as people streamed through the door.
Kenna scooped Princess into her arms, and the dog sniffed every new arrival, her tail wagging at familiar faces.
Weston, Lena, and Aisling were the first through the door.
Isla, Locke, and Baby Andy were right behind them.
Cat had closed up her café early to make sure she could attend.
Lesley and Jo walked through the door together.
Several members of the town council were also in attendance, as well as some of the parents and children from Kenna’s nursery program.
Alistair wrapped his arm around me as I wandered through the crowd, welcoming people, thanking them for coming, and popping by beading stations to offer my expertise and encouragement. I grinned down at Kenna as she directed some of her little friends in the art of making beaded bracelets.
The door to the shop swung open again, and I turned, my jaw dropping as I watched Emily walk through.
I squealed as I darted across the shop and caught her in a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here! I didn’t know you were coming.”
“And miss your bosswoman moment? As if,” she said. “Alistair wanted it to be a surprise, so I didn’t say anything.”
I squeezed her even tighter, tears filling my eyes as I caught his gaze across the room.
“Thank you,” I mouthed in his direction.
Alistair lifted his glass of champagne, and in that moment, I knew I could handle anything that happened. Even if disaster struck in the next minute, I’d be okay, because I was surrounded by the people who mattered most to me. The people I could count on to be by my side, no matter what.
As for who wasn’t here…my parents. I’d reached out to them once things had settled, but it hadn’t gone well.
Still hopeful, I’d sent them an invitation to the grand opening, and in reply, I was informed, at length, about how it was impossible for them to drop everything to attend to another one of my larks.
Their response didn’t hurt as much as I’d expected.
I’d finally accepted that making them happy was never going to happen, and every day, I was working on letting go of the need for their approval.
I was building a big, beautiful life for myself in Scotland with my chosen family, and that was really all I needed.
“Let’s get some photos,” Isla called, gathering everyone up in front of one of the display cases. “Say Madison’s Magic.”
“Madison’s Magic!” everyone chorused, and I’d never felt more certain I was exactly where I belonged.
“Pretty sure the girls scurried out of here with about fifty pounds of beads in their pockets,” Alistair said as he helped me clean up once everyone had left.
“Guess that gives me an excuse to order more,” I said, carrying a black garbage bag in his direction.
I paused to peck him on the lips. “I suppose they needed something to do tonight.” Kenna had been making lots of new friends at nursery, but Aisling was still her favorite, and she loved every chance she got to spend the night with her bestie.
“We’ll have to have Aisling out to Dunhope sometime to repay Weston and Lena for all these sleepover favors. ”
“Agreed,” Alistair said. He took the garbage bag from me, setting it aside as he took my hands and tugged me toward the display case. “I have something for you.”
I tilted my head, giving him a questioning look. I couldn’t think of one single thing I needed that I didn’t already have. “You’ve already given me everything.”
And I meant that. He’d given me a home. A place to belong. A place to be creative. A place to share my joy with others and build a community. More than that, he’d given me himself and Kenna, along with more love than I could have ever asked for.
Alistair popped behind the counter and produced a framed photo with a bow. It showed Kenna decked out in a bunch of jewelry I’d helped her make. “Isla helped me take it,” he said. “I thought you might hang it on the wall as a testimonial of a very happy customer.”
I laughed, taking in Kenna’s cheeky expression. “This is amazing.” I grinned up at him. “Thank you.” I set the picture aside. “Actually, I have a present for you too.”
He frowned at my words, shaking his head. “This is your day. What do I need a present for?”
“I suppose it’s really a present for both of us,” I amended, going for my purse stashed behind the counter.
Alistair waggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way.
“Get your head out of the gutter.” I turned and handed him the small gift box.
He pursed his lips, unwrapping the paper and ribbon and opening the lid to reveal a beautifully crafted baby rattle.
The silver sparkled under the lights as his thumb drifted across the metal.
“I found it at a farmers’ market a couple towns over. ”
“It’s lovely, but what do I need a baby ra—” His eyes suddenly widened to the size of tea plates. “Bloody hell, woman!” He stared right at my stomach. “Are you saying—”
“Yep,” I said. “I’ve been to the doctor to make sure.”
Alistair’s mouth fell open, his eyes locking with mine. “We’re having a baby?”
His voice was barely above a whisper, and I caught my lip between my teeth, holding my breath as I waited for the shock to fade enough to show his true reaction.
I’d been worried about this moment for a couple weeks.
Things had gone so poorly with the last woman he’d had a child with, and I didn’t want this pregnancy to be tainted by that experience.
“We’re having a baby,” he said again, sounding awed more than anything. “My God. Kenna’s going to be a big sister!”
I released the strangled breath, laughing as a brilliant smile took over his face. “And judging by the way she looks after Princess, she’s going to rock it,” I assured him.
Alistair broke out into buoyant laughter, catching me in a hug and lifting me off my feet to spin me around.
“You’re happy?” I asked when he set me down again.
“Happy?” He captured my face with his hands, cradling my jaw. “I’m bloody thrilled. I can’t wait to be a father again.”
My heart soared.
“Are you happy?” he asked.
“So, so happy,” I told him. “I’m ready to keep growing our little family.”
“Maybe not so little anymore,” he said, stroking his hand over my belly.
I laid my hand over his, emotion welling up inside me. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”