I smelled the coffee brewing and went downstairs just as the door opened and Gracie stepped in, carrying my granddaughter, Kylie. Despite the Zoom calls and FaceTime, and the frequent visits, she grew and changed so much. Her little face was wreathed in smiles, and she clapped her hands in delight when she saw me, reaching out so I could lift her high, blowing raspberries on her tummy. I loved her little-girl giggles, and I smothered her face in kisses, delighting in her enjoyment. I kissed Gracie, noting how well she looked and grudgingly admitting to myself Jaxson made her happy.
“Hi, Dad.” Gracie beamed, returning my hug fiercely. “It’s so good to see you.”
I kissed her forehead, ruffling her hair the way I had done since she was little. “Hey, baby girl. You look good.”
She grinned. “I know.”
“Where’s your sister?”
“She’s coming.”
We headed to the kitchen, and as I suspected, I lost Kylie to Katy right away once my wife had greeted Gracie. Kylie was as excited to see her Grams as Katy was to see her. I poured some coffee, handing Gracie a glass of water that she requested, and sitting down beside her.
“Everything set for the ‘nuptial party’?” I asked dryly.
She laughed. “Reed and Heather have it all in hand. It’s even more casual than Ava and Hunter’s wedding last year.” She smiled as she lifted her glass. “Very laid-back and fun. Very them.”
“As long as she’s happy.” I was grateful they were even getting married, so however they chose to do it, I was good. I tried to support my kids and share in their lives instead of dictating to them, although my wife liked to remind me I failed quite often with that endeavor.
“She is,” Heather sang out, walking into the room. I stood and held her tight, rocking her side to side.
“Hey, my girl.” I cupped her face and kissed her cheeks. “How’s my Hedda?”
She laughed at my use of Gracie’s childhood name for her. Heather had been too big a word for her, and Hedda came out. It also stuck.
“I’m great, Dad. Really great.”
She grabbed a cup, filled it with coffee, and sat down. “Where’s Mom?”
“I left her at home. I was getting tired of her nagging.” I deadpanned. “I need a replacement.”
The girls burst into laughter, knowing as well as I did that I would be lost without Katy.
Gracie shook her head. “She’s upstairs with Kylie.”
I met Heather’s eyes. “She might have had a few gifts tucked in her suitcase.”
Heather laughed. We sipped our coffee, and Katy came downstairs, an excited Kylie holding a new bear and wearing a different outfit than she had on when they went up. I took her from Katy, who hugged and loved on Heather then poured her own coffee and sat down with us. I bounced Kylie on my knee, making funny faces at her to keep her amused. She was a good toddler, happy to sit with us as she gnawed on a biscuit and drank from her sippy cup. It felt like yesterday when she was a baby in my arms, and now she was walking and talking—well, sort of. Babbling, mostly.
“Everything set?” Katy asked.
Heather nodded, her eyes shining. “Yes. And the weather is supposed to be perfect. We’re going to say our vows and then party!”
“Is there an aisle I get to walk you down?” I asked.
“Sort of.”
I grimaced. “Sort of?”
“We’re doing it in the same room as the after party at the winery, but yes, you can walk me to Reed.”
“Okay.” I took a sip of coffee. “Just family and close friends?”
She nodded. “Just the people we love. Gracie is my matron of honor, and Reed’s best friend, Luc, is his best man.”
“How is Luc? I hear he’s running the show at the new company he started with.”
Heather nodded. “Yes. He’s loving it. He still does some computer work consulting, but he’s around more. Oh, and he met someone. She’s coming to the wedding as his plus-one.”
Gracie leaned over, wiping the biscuit crumbs from Kylie’s mouth. She rolled her eyes when I slipped another one into Kylie’s little fist. She loved them, and today was a special day. Besides, Jaxson could deal with the aftermath of her having sugar. I was good with that.
“Have you met her?” Gracie asked.
“Yes. Her name is Ashley. We went for dinner a few weeks ago. She’s an event planner, which is how she and Luc met. She was very nice.” Heather chuckled. “Very tall.”
“Oh?” Gracie hummed.
“I gathered her parents were both tall. I felt pretty short compared to the rest of the group, but otherwise, she was great. A bit reserved at first, but she loosened up. She reminded me of someone, but I wasn’t sure who. Anyway, we got along well once we started talking. I felt as if I’d known her all my life, you know? She came out to the winery a couple of times to look around, and we had coffee. I liked her—we got along really well. We did lunch one day, and she invited me to one of her events. It was a lot of fun. I got to hang with her and see what she does—it was a woman’s power sort of event. Highly enjoyable. I said we should get a table for the next one for ABC.” She paused. “I think Luc might be serious about her as well.”
Gracie nodded. “Sounds like you’re close already.”
Heather winked. “You’re still my number one sister, Gracie. And my best friend.” She smirked. “Penny is close…but Gavin ranks above me, given the whole twin thing. So, you’re the top spot.”
Gracie laughed. “I’d better be. I look forward to meeting Ashley.”
“I think you’ll like her.”
“I’m sure I will.”
Katy took Kylie, cuddling her close. She nestled into Grams, happy and content. I finished my coffee and sat back, looking around the table. I loved having my girls around me. I wished Penny were there with us, that all my kids were, but still, I was pleased.
“You all set to retire, Dad?” Gracie asked.
“Yep. Two meetings while I’m here, and I’m done.”
“Except I heard Maddox say you’d still consult for BAM and ABC,” Gracie pointed out.
I waved my hand. “That’s family.”
“And Jenna told me you said you were available if she needed you,” Heather stated dryly.
I shrugged. “More family. I can’t leave her in the lurch.”
They all laughed, and I grinned at their teasing. “I’m cutting back as much as I can. Your mother will be grateful when Jenna calls.”
Katy stood, rocking a slumbering Kylie. “Amen to that,” she said with a wink. “Now come on, girls, fill me in on all the news and the wedding stuff.”
I watched fondly as they walked away. I knew they would settle on the deck and talk for hours, catching up. I stood and headed to the Hub. I knew the BAM men would be there. Katy would join us when she was done with our girls for the day.
4
RICHARD
I walked to the beach, enjoying the fresh air and breeze. Long, lazy waves lapped at the sand, the peacefulness of the area always pleasing. The endless scope of water and sky. It was hard to believe this little piece of paradise existed so close to the bustling metropolis of Toronto. I loved it here, and I had always enjoyed the chance to recharge my batteries when we came to stay. I knew Katy wanted to come more often to be with our girls, and I had no objections to that. I turned and looked at the houses that dotted the landscape. Each one contained people I thought of as family. Having grown up in a dysfunctional house where I was ignored and cast aside, this group of people meant the world to me. This blended found family was a huge part of our life, and they meant as much to Katy and my kids as they did to me.