Chapter 45 #2
Charlotte takes the opening to pull me in for a hug. “Rosalie, we’re so glad to finally meet you in person.”
Her hug is warm, and the kind energy she radiates has me relaxing for the first time since stepping out into the backyard.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Brown.”
“Oh, none of the Mrs. nonsense, Charlotte is completely fine.”
“And Christopher is what you’ll be calling me,” he says with a deep chuckle as he takes his turn embracing me.
“Okay, Christopher, it’s so great to finally meet you both.”
As they step back, I notice the couple behind them is watching us with a hint of reservation, even though both are wearing friendly smiles.
Christopher steps back and waves them forward.
“This is Lauren and Brant Pyle. They’re Julianne and Beck’s parents.”
I knew they’d be here. I was prepared, or at least I thought I was, but even if the smiles Lauren and Brant are sporting give off nothing but warm kindness, my stomach still flips at the sight of them.
I tentatively reach my hand forward to shake Lauren’s first. She surprises me by covering it with her other hand and giving me an affectionate squeeze. “It’s so lovely to meet you. We’ve heard nothing but great things about you from Cameron.”
My gaze shoots to Cam, who gives me a quick wink.
Brant is more reserved than Lauren, but still shakes my hand and gives me a pleasant smile.
“It’s so nice to meet you both. Addison always speaks so lovingly about all of you; it’s so great to finally put a face with a name.”
The aforementioned faces all smile widely and, in unison, start raving about Addison. We all laugh because everything they say is true.
“Have you met Paige yet?” Cameron asks.
“We have!” Charlotte exclaims. “Poor Paige was barely able to keep upright with the way Addie hauled her over here to meet us. The power she can wield with just one arm is pretty impressive, and Paige is just adorable.”
“Thank you so much. I certainly think so,” I say with a hint of laughter.
“Where did they run off to?” Cam asks anxiously.
“Oh, they ran off to climb the maple tree around the side of the house,” Christopher says without a hint of humor, although I notice his eyes are twinkling as he says it.
“And you just let them? Hell, Dad, Addison already has one broken arm.”
I can tell Cam hasn’t caught on to Christopher’s joke yet, so I wrap my arm around his waist and pat his chest.
“It’s okay there, big guy. I think your dad was telling what those of us with a sense of humor call a joke.”
Cam scowls at me playfully before whipping his head back to his dad, who’s already boisterously laughing.
“Not. Funny.”
“Oh, but I think it is, Cam. Do you know how hard a time you gave your mother and me? These years are all about getting you back. Rosalie, has Cameron ever told you—”
“Oh no. Nope. This is not going to be that kind of get together.”
“Fine. No stories, for now, but I can’t make any promises for later. I think stories of Tia, your imaginary T. rex, would make quite an entertaining dinner conversation.”
Cam immediately lowers his head, shaking it from side to side in resignation as I burst into laughter next to him. He steps away from me and stalks toward the house.
“I hate you all!” His tone is light and playful, so I’m not too concerned we’ve actually hurt his feelings.
Charlotte speaks up through her own laughter. “He’s probably heading to Addie’s room. She and Paige are in there playing with my old collection of Breyer horses.”
“Oh, I love those! I had several as a kid growing up. Do you mind if I follow him in?”
“Oh, not at all, sweetheart. It’s the last door on the left at the end of the hall.”
“Thank you so much,” I say before turning to follow Cameron inside.
Once inside, I take my time walking down the hall to Addie’s bedroom so I can more fully take in the photos lining each side of the hallway. Many of them are of Cameron and his parents, but a few are of some combination of Cameron, Addison, and Julianne.
My heart aches seeing photos of them together. Happiness radiates from the family in the pictures, and a burning sensation starts behind my eyes as I realize they’ll never have that level of joy together ever again.
“They were a beautiful family.”
I gasp at the words as they sound from beside me, turning to see Lauren Pyle staring at the same photo of Julianne and Cameron’s wedding day. I can’t read her intent, but her body language is relaxed, if not a bit sorrowful.
“They really were,” I reply hesitantly. “And from what Cameron says about her, Julianne was an absolutely amazing woman. They have quite the love story between them.”
Lauren smiles and nods before turning to face me. She’s almost an exact replica of Julianne, although a few age spots dot her face, and wrinkles of time are prominent at the corners of her eyes and mouth.
“I wasn’t sure how I’d feel when Cameron fell in love again.
We knew he dated some over the past few years but only by word of mouth from his parents or Beck, which is how we knew it wasn’t serious.
We knew you were different when Cam picked up Addie from us one weekend and told us all about this woman he met on the side of the road… ”
I breathe out a little laugh. “Awesome, I’m glad that’s what he led with.”
She returns her own laugh before continuing.
“He never mentioned another woman to us until you. He gently continued to tell us about you any time he could. In fact, I have zero doubts I know much more about you than you think.”
I cover my face in my hands, unsure of where this is going, but drop them to hear the rest of what she has to say.
“I never thought I’d be appreciative of my daughter’s husband going on and on about another woman, but I can say now I really am.
I feel like I got to know you and your heart for Cam and Addie long before you stepped into the backyard tonight.
It made meeting you infinitely easier. I can see in the way you look at Cam you love him, just as our Julianne did, with your whole heart.
And, from what Cam has said, you love Addie the same. ”
“I really do. She’s such a special little girl, and I feel so lucky to have her in my life.”
Lauren nods, a proud smile on her lips.
“She has so much of Julianne in her,” Lauren says wistfully.
“Her kindness and desire to be there for other people, her ability to instantly make friends wherever she goes, and the small fiery streak that’s likely the reason she didn’t slow down when her uncle Beck told her to stop running by the swimming pool.
I want to make sure she keeps those things as she grows older.
That she cherishes those parts of her mother forever. ”
Lauren’s voice chokes on the end of the sentence, and I can’t help but reach out and grab her hand.
“I know Cameron likely hasn’t told you, but I lost my mom earlier this year.”
Lauren’s hand tightens around mine, and her eyes go a bit wide.
“She was my best friend, and I cherish every single detail about myself I can connect back to her. My laugh, which is sometimes a bit too loud, and my determination to fulfill my dreams. Even my unruly hair. If I’m lucky enough to stay in Cam and Addie’s life, I need you to know I’ll do everything in my power to keep Julianne’s legacy alive.
Cameron has done such a wonderful job already, and I want nothing more than to support his efforts.
I only want to love Addie alongside Julianne, never ever as a replacement. ”
A tear slips down Lauren’s face, and she reaches up to hastily wipe it away.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I pull her into a hug, not caring if we’re essentially strangers, because I need her to feel the sincerity of my words.
“You’re welcome.”