Chloe smiles. “I’ll be back in a few. Just gotta go and get my girl.”
“No worries.”
Caleb’s mother locks gazes with me. I look away, but she walks toward me.
I guess this is it.
“Emma,” she says in a warm tone, the last thing I expected.
“Mrs Baxter.”
“Your children are all beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
She smiles so widely that I’m not sure I can read what’s coming next. “And Noah is wonderful. Thank you so much for letting us meet him.”
“You’re welcome.”
She takes my hand in hers and gives it a squeeze. “Caleb told us about your father. We wouldn’t have been happy about you two having a baby that young, but we would have been there for you.”
And now I’m welling up again.
“Now we have a second chance, and you’re all family now. If you want us to be,” she continues.
“I think I’d like that very much.”
Caleb’s mother opens her arms and I hug her. “I’m so sorry for everything you went through, Emma. But we’re all here for you now.”
It’s all I can do not to sob on her shoulder.
This is what I always wanted—acceptance and love. Not fear and judgement.
I’m not sure if that’s really what would have happened all those years ago, but I’m not sure if it matters.
We’re all together today and been welcomed so warmly I don’t ever want to leave.
When we get back to the cars, I’m barraged by questions.
“When can we come back for another swim?” Jason asks.
“I’ll have to check with Chloe.”
“Can we come back next weekend?” He pushes, and I smile at how enthused he is about being here.
“We’ll see. I’ll be speaking to Chloe during the week.”
“Xander’s so cute.”
I roll my eyes at Bailey’s declaration.
“Him and Braden look the same. Duh,” Kiera says.
“Yes, but Xander’s single.”
“He’s our cousin now.” Kiera snorts.
“He’s not even related to us.” Bailey gives her sister a push.
