CHAPTER 14 | Same time next year?
CHAPTER 14
Same time next year?
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“I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired in my whole life,” Ginny lamented, draining the last of her glass of champagne.
Natalie’s stockinged feet rested on the table, her own glass of bubbly nestled against her chest. “Imagine how poor CeCe feels,” she quipped, letting out a sigh and wiggling her toes.
Max and Anthony were at the counter, each nursing a beer, their eyes heavy and tired. Madeline drove Otis, Henry, and Josie home as soon as the baby drama began, and all four parents were relieved to have a moment of peace. Harold and Mona attempted to keep Maybelle forever, but sadly her parents wanted her home.
“I know Evan said they were covered with food, but there’s so many leftovers. Should we go back and bring by some things?” Max asked, his gaze locking on the stacks of to-go boxes loaded with food.
Anthony rubbed his eyes, shoulders slumping forward. “I can swing by tomorrow with some things. You cooked, Max. The least I can do is play delivery driver.”
Natalie, being Natalie, took charge of the situation. “Those three aren’t getting discharged from the hospital tomorrow, and I’m guessing Evan is up to his eyeballs with everything. Why don’t we do what CeCe asked and wait to hear what they need?”
Ginny gestured her approval with her empty glass. “I’m with Nat. The last thing we want to do is be in the way.”
“Are you sure?” Max asked Anthony.
Before Anthony could reply, his wife helpfully reminded him, “Do you remember when we had Otis? What was the last thing either of us wanted?”
Anthony snorted. “To see anyone who wasn’t a combination of our DNA?”
Natalie snapped her fingers. “Bingo. Let them catch their breath, and we’ll be ready.”
Ginny clicked away on her phone for a moment, her fingers flying across the screen. A minute later, everyone’s phones dinged. “There we go.” She beamed.
Pulling out his phone, Max read through his texts. “What’s up with this spreadsheet?”
Anthony tugged his phone from his jacket pocket and scoffed when he saw it. “I’m only disappointed my wife didn’t come up with this first.” He winked at Natalie, who flipped him the bird.
“Excuse me, but Gin’s my business partner. If she did it, it’s the same as me doing it.” She winked at Ginny.
Max strode over to Ginny, looping his arms around her shoulders and pulling her close to his chest. “You’re a dynamo, and I love it.”
Ginny wiggled into his arms and sighed. “It’s nothing they wouldn’t do for us. We’ll come up with a meal schedule to get them through the first few weeks. Then when their freezer is bursting and they can’t stand the sight of other people, we’ll retreat to our corners again.”
Natalie filled out the first night, offering to make her famous chili. Anthony rubbed the back of his neck and asked, “Do you think they need anything that’s not food? We still have some of O’s bath toys and onesies.”
Max nodded. “I know we still have Hen’s toddler stuff, and of course there’s Josie’s ...” He was stopped by Ginny covering his mouth with her hand.
“You’re both sweet and very eager, but these babies are barely a day old. Why don’t we save toys and clothes for a few months from now?”
Both men looked at each other with matching expressions of What did we do?
“You know what would be helpful,” Natalie suggested, pulling herself to her feet and sliding her shoes back on. She briefly turned to the window and shuddered at the fat snowflakes that still fell. “You guys should finish boxing up the leftovers. We can drop them off at the shelter on our way home.”
Ginny pointed to Natalie’s feet, more crucially her sky-high heels. “You can’t wear those outside. Not only will you slip and break your neck, but you’ll freeze to death.”
Max gestured toward his office in the back. “I know I have an extra pair of CeCe’s work shoes if you want to wear those home.”
Natalie was aghast, motioning at her perfectly coordinated outfit. It was festive yet formal, just like the woman herself. “Um, no, thank you. I’d risk losing a toe in this snow if it doesn’t mess with the look.”
Anthony walked up, bent his knees, and tossed Natalie over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold. “Max, get those boxes ready for the shelter. I’ll drop the missus in the car and double back.” He swatted Natalie’s behind as he strode out the door.
Ginny covered her mouth, attempting to hold in her laughter. Not only was Natalie fuming, but Anthony had every right to protect her ankles. “I’ll help,” she offered Max as they went to the kitchen and carried out enough food to feed an army.
Joining Anthony and Natalie at their SUV, they loaded up the boxes and sighed. “What a day,” Ginny muttered. “I didn’t even cook, and I’m exhausted.” She ducked her head in the car and said, “Please thank Maddie for taking Hen and Josie home.”
“Of course. What’s the point of testing out Maddie’s newfound driving skills?” Natalie quipped.
Anthony groaned. “Way to put our friends at ease. You make it sound like Maddie will be driving them off a cliff.”
Natalie flapped a manicured hand. “Honey, it’s Buckeye Falls. I don’t think we have any cliffs.”
“Text if you hear anything from CeCe and Evan, will you?” Max asked, slamming the trunk shut.
“You do the same.” Anthony shot a thumbs-up while putting the car in reverse.
“Merry Christmas!” Ginny and Natalie shouted in unison.
“We’ll have to do this every year,” Natalie urged.
Ginny nodded, but couldn’t hold back a scoff. “Yes, but maybe without the early labor and half the town showing up?”
“Deal,” Anthony said, waving before driving down Main Street.
Max pulled Ginny close as they watched their friends drive away. Maybe it was the holiday putting him in a sentimental mood, but Max’s eyes began to water. They had all come so far, and he sometimes couldn’t believe it.
Misunderstanding, Ginny pulled back and sighed. “Max, the kids are home safe. I got a text from Josie an hour ago.”
Dabbing at his cheeks with his sleeve, he let out a shuddering breath. “I know that. I just can’t believe how much has changed.”
“How so?” she asked, turning them toward the diner.
Max held the door open as they stepped into the kitchen, still warm from a day of the ovens working overtime.
Everyone had helped with cleaning up, so the only thing remaining was a box of leftover cheesy bites at CeCe’s workstation. Max took the box and tucked it under his arm, clicking off the lights as he reached for his coat.
“I remember when you came back to town.” Ginny’s shoulders tensed at the reminder of their time before reconciliation. “Anthony and I could hardly be in the same room with each other, and Evan followed CeCe around like a lovesick puppy.”
Ginny softened, wrapping a scarf around her neck. “Well, Evan still follows CeCe around like a lovesick puppy.”
“Okay, fair point. But look at how well everything turned out. We’re back together—”
Ginny cut him off, kissing him briefly, and saying, “And happier than ever.”
“Agreed,” Max said on a sigh. “And now we’re all paired off with families and careers and life. It’s just, I don’t know, amazing.”
Ginny nodded, taking his hand and stepping back into the chilly Christmas night. “It is amazing, and I’d like to show you how amazing once we’re back at home.” She winked and strode to their car, an extra sway in her hips.
Max ran to catch up, tossing the box of crackers in the backseat and turning on the car. They made it home in record time. Thank goodness Buckeye Falls isn’t known for its late-night traffic.