Chapter 14 #2
“Then I arrived at the perfect time,” Victoria said smugly. “I brought her present with me.”
The door opened, and Patch walked in. His eyes immediately searched for Claire. The gift tumbled to the floor as she whispered Patch’s name. Samantha helped her from the chair as Patch strode toward her with tears in his eyes.
“Patch,” she said brokenly as she tightly clung to him.
“You look beautiful, Claire Bear,” he whispered reverently as he pulled her back to get a better glimpse at her. He used his thumb to wipe away the tears as he smiled at her.
“I picked up a little something for you, too, Gabby,” Victoria said as the door opened again and Knight entered.
Gabby’s hand went to her mouth as Bryanna helped her up. She rushed across the room, right into Knight’s arms.
“Oh, Knight,” she cried as he kissed her head, her cheeks and her lips.
“Hey, baby,” he greeted her, putting his hand on her belly. “Hello, little one. Daddy’s here.” Tears glistened in his eyes, and the room seemed to disappear with only the two couples in it. Everyone watched the beautiful scene before them.
Patch held on to Claire as he gazed around the room. “I’ve never crashed a party, but you ladies do it in style. Do you mind if we join you? I’m afraid I’m not ready to leave Claire yet.”
“I’ll get you a plate,” Maddie said. “You must be starved.”
“I’ll grab Knight’s,” Edie called. “Carol, you grab them a beer. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it more than tea or punch.”
“I’ll take punch,” Knight said. “Gabby can’t have alcohol, and I’m not drinking until she can.”
“Iced tea sounds good to me,” Patch added, kissing Claire’s head. Addyson brought the men chairs and insisted they sit next to their significant others.
Victoria took Addyson by the hand and led her to the door. “I brought you a little present, too. I’m afraid he can’t make it up the steps at the moment, but Chase has given him the all clear as long as he stays in bed. I didn’t think you’d have a problem keeping him there.”
“What? You mean Hollywood’s here?” Addyson asked, ensuring she heard Victoria correctly.
“Chase helped him to your house. If I find out you sped there, I’ll be very disappointed,” Victoria said.
“What about the shower?” she said, peering around her.
“They won’t mind if you skip it this once,” Victoria said, shooing her out the door as Maddie held out her jacket and purse.
Addyson raced down the stairs and turned back to Victoria. “Thank you,” she said, her voice shaking.
Nodding, Victoria smiled and said, “No speeding.”
Addyson raced to her car as Victoria returned to the cabin.
Kassie handed her an Irish coffee. “Welcome home. We’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” Victoria said as she gazed around the room. “I think your friend needs you more. We’ll talk this evening.”
Kassie didn’t notice Catherine leaving the room. She rushed inside her bedroom and gently closed the door. She found Catherine huddling in her favorite reading spot inside the window.
Pulling a blanket from a nearby chair, Kassie covered her and handed her tissues.
“I’m sorry, Catherine. I didn’t know Victoria planned to bring the men,” she murmured.
Wiping her eyes, Catherine smiled sadly at her. “I… I thought when she said she brought a gift. I wanted Leo to walk in the door,” she stammered. “I’m happy for them, but why can’t Leo be here? It’s not fair. We didn’t have enough time.”
Kassie pulled her close and cried along with her.
“It’s not fair at all. Leo can take his damn letter and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.
I hate this for you, and I don’t know how to help you move forward.
If it were Chase, I’d feel as utterly devastated as you.
If he wants you to put on a brave face while grieving, then let him come back here so you can kill him.
What a ridiculous thing to say. I hope he’s listening right now. ”
Catherine giggled. “What I’m hearing is, you hope to bring him back from the dead so I can kill him.”
“Absofuckinglutely,” Kassie said, angrily. “At this point, I’m not letting him rest in peace. I’m pissed at him.”
“I wish I were,” Catherine said softly. “I miss him. Every night, I reach for him. When the baby kicks, I stop myself from calling out to him. If Grace asks me to read the bomb shelter book one more time, I might pull my hair out. You should’ve seen the expression on the night nanny’s face when I read about fallout shelters to Grace.
I think she believes we’re doomsday preppers. ”
Kassie chuckled. “Who cares what she thinks? If Grace wants to read it, then let her.”
“She won’t remember him, ya know,” Catherine sighed. “How will I keep his memory alive?”
“You have a whole village who will help you. One day, some author will write stories about him and make a million bucks. Then Leo will become famous for all his antics,” Kassie teased.
“We won’t let them forget. Every day, we’ll remind them of how much he loved them.
When they look at themselves in the mirror, they’ll see a part of him there.
Grace has his nose. Melody has his chin.
Derrick has his name and his hair. You have little pieces of him to remind you to carry on his legacy. Soon you’ll have another.”
Catherine let her words sink in and settle deep in her chest. “You know, you’re not too bad at this.”
“It’s not something I want to brag about,” Kassie said sarcastically.
“You’re more than my best friend. You’re my sister in every way. Thank you for all your help. Do you mind if I rest in here a little longer?” she asked quietly.
“Take all the time you need,” Kassie encouraged her before rising. “Did you bring your phone? Text me if you need anything.”
“Yes, I have it,” she said, pulling it from her pocket.
Kassie left the room and smiled. “Catherine needed a little nap. She’ll be out later.”
“While she rests, Claire and Patch can open the rest of their presents,” Maddie said, prompting the couple to take the gift Annabelle held out to them.
Everyone oohed and awed over the lovely gifts, and Tess brought out the handmade blanket they each sewed a patch onto to represent their family.
“It’s beautiful,” Claire exclaimed.
Patch gazed at the women who made today possible. “Thank you,” he said. “This means a lot to us.”
Maddie smiled at the couple. “You’re part of our family. You mean a lot to us.”
Nobody seemed in the mood to play games as they watched the couples lean into one another.
Victoria chuckled. “I believe this party has ended. I suggest we pack up food for them and send them home. Don’t worry about the gifts, my dear. We’ll have them dropped off at your home tomorrow.”
Edie, Maddie, and Carol packed containers of food while Kassie pulled the presents aside. Annabelle took out the trash. Tess made a list of all the gifts and attached it to the pile.
They pressed the food into Patch and Knight’s hands, sending the couples off with their congratulations.
Victoria glanced at Kassie and then at the closed bedroom door.
“Will she be all right?” she asked gently.
“I don’t know,” Kassie said sadly. “Losing Leo left a gigantic hole. We all miss him. I’m worried about her and the baby. She’s underweight and her blood pressure remains high from all the stress. She puts on a good front, but she’s scared.”
“Life goes on whether we want it to or not. All those years I thought Ivan died, and I still found joy in my child, until James corrupted him,” Victoria confessed.
“Now, I have two sons not of my blood and a daughter who makes me proud. I know she’ll stand by her friend.
Time, love, and laughter will ease her aching heart.
It won’t heal it, but she’ll learn to live with it. ”