Page 49 of Together Is Where We Belong

“So, can we all agree, we will be respectful tomorrow at dinner? Luke might get a little overwhelmed, and I don’t want him to see any tension between us and his mom,” I admitted.

They all nodded, and I felt like everything could start moving forward now that the last of my family knew about my son.

Gentry leaned down and whispered something into Ainsleigh’s ear, causing her eyes to light up and her head to nod rapidly. I didn’t know if I even wanted to know what he’d said to her.

“Do you guys want to hang out here for the day? We haven’t had a day where we all just chilled in a long time,” Ainsleigh asked, her voice hopeful that we’d all agree.

“That sounds good to me,” Brooks said and Holden and I repeated the sentiment.

“Now, give me back my baby,” Holden said as he jumped up from the couch and walked in my direction.

“She’s my baby. And you know you don’t have to hold her all the time. You’re goin’ to spoil her rotten,” Ainsleigh said.

“Our baby,” Gentry said, causing Ainsleigh to blush.

“Godbaby,” Holden corrected as he held out his hands to take Olivia from me. The day she was born, Ainsleigh and Gentry chose Holden and her friend Aspen to be the godparents of Olivia, and Holden never lets us forget his role in our niece’s life.

“Go back to your greedy uncle, sweet girl,” I said as I kissed her on the top of her head before reluctantly handing her over to my brother.

The second she was out of my arms, a pillow smacked me on the side of the head.

“What was that for?” I asked with a laugh.

“That was for not tellin’ me right away about Luke. Now show me more photos of my nephew,” Ainsleigh demanded with a laugh.

I loved the closeness between me and my siblings. I couldn’t imagine my life without them by my side. And now that I had a son, I couldn’t wait to show him the bond we had and include him in these days spent with them.

fourteen

Carolina

Isat outside with my morning cup of coffee, the local church bells sounded in the distance bringing back fond memories of my attendance as a child. I pulled my phone out of the pocket of my robe and sent Gus a message thanking him for fixing the front porch steps. As I laid the phone back in my lap, it vibrated against my thigh.

Picking it back up, a message notification from Gus shown on the home screen.

Gus

I didn’t fix the front porch steps. I’d been meaning to, but had gotten busy. Maybe that next door neighbor of yours fixed it.

I shook my head with a smile. That sounded just like something Leo would do. Or one of his brothers.

Thanks, Gus. I’ll be sure to thank them. Have a great Sunday.

He responded right away wishing me well and I took another long sip of my coffee trying to conjure up a subtle way to thank Leo.

After I finished my cup of coffee, I walked back in the house to wake up Luke and get started on the day, nervous for what the night would bring seeing Leo’s family again.

“Luke, how do you feel about meeting some new people today?” I asked him as we ate our lunch. I’d messaged Leo this morning that we’d be glad to come over to his parents tonight for dinner, and that I would let Luke know to prepare him. He’d taken a bit to respond, but he thanked me and told me he’d pick us up later to go. I understood the coordination of riding together, but the thought of being back in Leo’s truck, the one he’d still had all these years later, made me a little uneasy on how I’d react to being thrust back into memories I’d long since tried to forget.

“Who, Mom?” he asked.

How did I explain this, so he’d understand? I didn’t have any siblings or a big family like the Courtrights, and while Luke had learned a little about family dynamics in school, he’d never experienced them firsthand.

“Leo, um … your dad, I mean. His family wants to meet you. Doesn’t that sound exciting?” I tried to hide my nerves so he wouldn’t notice how I felt about the situation.

“Like his mom?” he asked as he kicked his feet back and forth and took another bite of his bologna and cheese sandwich. We’d decided to have sandwiches and chips for lunch, so I wouldn’t have to use the stove and heat the house up by cooking since it was so hot outside today.

“Yeah, his mom and dad, and his brothers and sister. You even have a baby cousin. How’s that sound?”