Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
Lily
“I got the door, Grandma!” Blaze exclaimed as he grabbed a few bags and rushed up the front steps to hold the door for his grandma and sister.
Lily smiled proudly as she and Nora grabbed the rest of the bags while Blaze waited with the door open.
The three of them stepped through the front door, her arms full of grocery bags she hadn’t even needed to buy, only to be met by the warm, savory aroma of garlic, onions, and butter drifting from the kitchen.
She blinked in surprise, then smiled as her eyes landed on Margot, Claudia, and Jess, all bustling around her kitchen like they owned the place.
Margot stood at the stove, a large pot of clam chowder bubbling away, while Claudia expertly chopped herbs and Jess managed a tray of biscuits that were about to go into the oven.
“You three are a sight for sore eyes,” Lily said, her voice thick with emotion and gratitude.
The kids put the bags down on the table.
“Can we go outside, Grandma?” Nora asked.
“Of course,” she answered. “Thanks for the help.”
The twins rushed out the back door, where Maisie was already playing with Max.
“Put those down and come get a spoon,” Margot called. “We’re making this the proper way. No skimping on the cream.”
“And extra thyme,” Claudia added, without looking up from her cutting board.
Jess grinned over her shoulder. “And I baked two pies. One for now, one for breakfast. I figured Luke being home safe called for double dessert.”
Lily set the bags on the counter, barely able to process the sudden wave of emotion that washed over her. She took a deep breath. The house smelled like her childhood. Like joy. Like home.
Outside, she spotted Henry and Luke locked in conversation. The kids were running around with Max, chasing each other. June and Tom walked over from his house. June came into the kitchen with a foil-covered plate.
“Banana bread,” she called with a grin. “Because I figured someone would need it.”
“You’re a saint,” Lily replied, stepping out to take the plate from her.
“We let Max out to go to the bathroom and he ran over here as soon as he heard the kids laughing.”
“They’ve all become quite the friends. That dog has done wonders for these kids,” Lily said.
“He’s good about that,” Tom agreed.
Lily laughed as she looked around. Everywhere she turned, there was life. There was love. The kitchen buzzed behind her, laughter filtering through the windows as Jess cracked a joke that had both Claudia and Margot chuckling. The back door creaked open again.
“Today was the worst day for me to have to go into Boston,” Cody said as he stepped into the house. He was windblown, cheeks pink from the ferry ride. “I didn’t think that boat was ever going to get back here.”
Before anyone could respond, he was moving, kissing his mother on the cheek, then Claudia and Margot, one after the other.
“You made it just in time,” Claudia said, squeezing his arm.
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Cody replied before rushing out the back door.
Lily followed him, catching the way his arms went around Luke in a strong embrace.
“Man am I glad to see your ugly mug,” Cody said with a wide grin.
“Right back at you,” Luke laughed, clapping his brother-in-law on the back. “Still wearing that awful jacket, I see.”
“Still can’t grow a beard to save your life,” Cody shot back.
They all erupted in laughter. Even Henry shook his head, smiling wide.
“It really is good to have you home,” he said to Luke, who nodded.
“Better than I can even explain.”
Inside, the kitchen was filling with the sounds of trays being shuffled, oven doors swinging open, and the occasional bang of a dropped spoon. Lily watched the girls finish setting up bowls and plates. The table was surrounded with chairs pulled from every room in the house.
“We need a bigger table,” Lily murmured to herself.
“Or just more folding chairs,” Margot replied as she passed by with a hot tray of biscuits.
Dinner was a chaotic, joyful mess. The clam chowder was perfect. It was rich, thick, and brimming with tender clams and soft potatoes. Jess’s biscuits were flaky and buttery, and Claudia had whipped together a salad that tasted like it came from a five-star restaurant.
There was laughter every few seconds. June was telling a story about Max getting into her laundry and stealing socks, and the twins were trying to explain a game they’d made up in the backyard. Cody kept topping off glasses and teasing Luke about getting soft during recovery.
“Pretty soon we’re going to have to set up drills in the backyard,” Cody joked. “Get your edge back.”
“I’ll get my edge when you finally beat me at chess,” Luke replied, raising his spoon in mock salute.
“That day is coming, man. Be afraid.”
Lily leaned back in her chair, a slice of Jess’s apple pie in front of her, and her heart so full it felt ready to burst. This.
This was what she had missed so deeply in the darkest months of her grief—the house full of noise, love, and family.
It had been incredibly quiet after David’s death.
Too quiet. And now…now it felt like life again.
She met Anna’s gaze across the table. Her daughter looked worn down but relieved, a deep calm just under the surface of her exhaustion. Lily gave her a small smile and Anna returned it, their unspoken understanding passing between them like a thread.
After dinner, the kids were tucked into sleeping bags and couches with cartoons on low volume and Max curled up at their feet. Claudia and Jess handled the cleanup while Margot boxed leftovers with military precision.
“So you have meals for the rest of the week,” she told Anna, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Just heat and eat.”
“You didn’t have to do all of this,” Anna said softly.
“We wanted to,” Jess said.
Lily stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching as Cody helped Luke settle into one of the armchairs. His bandages were visible beneath his loose shirt, and the edge of a healing scar peeked out at his collarbone.
“Still hurts?” Cody asked.
“Like hell,” Luke admitted. “But it’s better than what it could’ve been.”
Cody nodded solemnly. “You scared the crap out of us, man.”
“Scared myself a few times,” Luke said. “But I kept thinking of you guys. That kept me going.”
Lily turned away before the tears could fall. She moved to the porch, stepping into the cool night air. The stars were out, and the sky was clear. She folded her arms around herself, feeling the peace settle into her bones.
A few minutes later, Anna joined her. “I can’t believe he’s really here.”
“I know.”
“He looks so different, but also… exactly the same.”
Lily nodded, her eyes still on the stars. “He’s strong.”
Anna leaned against the railing. “Do you think Dad had something to do with this? Like… watching over him?”
Lily didn’t hesitate. “I know he did. David would’ve moved heaven and earth to protect the people he loved.”
They stayed there in silence for a long moment, the quiet broken only by the occasional bursts of laughter inside the house.
“When will you guys head back to Langley?” Lily asked softly.
She didn’t want to voice the words, because she didn’t want to know the answer. She loved having the kids here, loved having Anna here and she didn’t want them to leave.
“At least another week, if that’s okay. And then…and then I think Luke is going to put in for retirement and will transfer out of Langley and come back here to the Vineyard for our forever home.”
Lily gasped in shock and excitement. “You guys can stay here however long you need to. Oh, you just made my heart so happy. Having Luke here will be good for Cody, too. Maybe the two of them can keep each other entertained in their retirement.”
“They’re already talking about businesses they can start together,” Anna laughed.
“I don’t know how well the kids will tolerate leaving for the time being.
They’ve grown to love the Vineyard just like I always have.
Being here with you, that’s priceless, Mom.
We’re so lucky to be surrounded by family here, too. ”
“It’s what it’s all about, right? That’s what your dad used to tell me all the time. I think I forgot that for a bit. Having the house so full tonight, it’s reminded me of how lucky we are.”
“We are, aren’t we?” Anna replied as she leaned into her mother.
Lily closed her eyes, offering up a quiet prayer of thanks. For Luke. For family. For love that had carried them through the darkest storm and into this warm, golden light.
Tonight, the house was full. And so was her heart.