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He let out a groan. “You shouldn’t have had to, Paige. I was wrong in every way possible. My pride and anger and my history with my parents led me to think the very worst of you.”
Paige’s eyes pricked with tears. This moment had been years in the making. She had prayed about Cameron realizing he was wrong on numerous occasions.
The sound of Emma’s cries rang out from upstairs. Paige turned in that direction, ready to run to check in on her. Normally she would hear Fiona’s footsteps echoing from overhead as she walked the hardwood floors. This evening her nanny had taken ill and was resting comfortably in bed. Paige cocked her head to the side, listening for Emma’s cries.
“Is she okay?” Cameron asked.
“She might have had a bad dream,” Paige said. When the screams continued, Paige said, “I need to go check in with her.”
She quickly made her way up the staircase. Cameron was right behind her as she entered the nursery. She strode to the crib, where Emma was sitting up and howling. Her face was red and tear-streaked from crying. She was breathing heavily.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” Paige asked in a soft voice.
“Mama!” Emma cried.
“Oh, you’re warm,” Paige said, feeling slightly alarmed. Fiona also had a fever and they suspected she had come down with a virus.
Cameron reached out and touched Emma’s forehead. “She’s just a little warm. Why don’t we give her some pain reliever and something cold to drink?”
Paige nodded and quickly began to mobilize. Cameron had been right. After taking her temperature, Paige realized that she had only a slight fever. A cold cloth, pain reliever and apple juice helped to soothe her. For the next few hours Cameron and Paige sat up with Emma and calmed her as best they could.
Paige watched as Cameron rocked Emma to sleep in his arms. A groundswell of emotion welled up inside her at the sight of the two of them so interconnected. She craved more quiet moments like this. It felt amazing to not have to parent all by herself. Cameron’s strong, steady companionship was a blessing. With him in the picture, everything seemed sweeter and richer. It truly felt as if they were a family.
As she looked over at Cameron, then swung her gaze back to Emma, a single truth settled over her. For so many years she had been seeking a family. After her mother died, things had changed so drastically at home. And even though her father had grown to be a loving, engaged father, she had never again experienced that family dynamic. Until now. Until this very moment. Cameron and Emma were her home. Without the two of them, nothing really made sense in her world.
Once Emma was fast asleep, Cameron gently placed her down into the crib. For a few moments he stood next to the crib with Paige as they gazed down at her, listening to the light sounds of her breathing. There was nothing more precious in this whole world than their daughter. Paige resisted the urge to reach out and caress Emma’s cheek. She didn’t want to run the risk of waking her from her precious slumber. She looked so snug and secure wrapped up in the sheet and blanket. The only thing missing, Emma rea
lized, was Lola Bear. As if he had read her mind, Cameron took the stuffed animal from the top of Emma’s dresser and gently placed it down beside their child.
After a few minutes they made their way back downstairs, and Cameron turned to her and took her hands in his. He looked deep into her eyes, his expression intense. “I was wrong about you. You’re strong. Honest. And in case I failed to mention it, you’re a wonderful mother to our daughter. Emma is mighty fortunate to have a mom like you. You remind me of Alaskan fireweed. Despite the harsh climate, they persevere, bringing beauty wherever they’re planted. Two years ago this town did you a disservice. I did you a disservice. We were wrong. Period. End of story. I just want to say that I’m sorry about my role in it.” He heaved a tremendous sigh. “Sometimes we lash out in our pain and shock and fear. That’s what we did to you, Paige. And I want you to know I wish you had never been forced out of town. I don’t want to dredge it all up again, but I couldn’t let another day go by without apologizing.”
Her vision blurred as moisture gathered in her eyes. She had never dared to dream about being absolved of all guilt by Cameron. Or getting a sincere apology from him. Not after everything her father’s greed had cost his beloved town. It meant everything to her to hear his supportive words.
She sniffed back tears. This night had been full of emotion. “You’re going to make me cry. I’m going to be a sniveling mess.”
He reached out and ran his palm over her cheek. “There’s nothing wrong with tears. Don’t ever be afraid to show your humanity. Without it, we’re nothing. The letter from your father drove that point home to me. Thank you for making sure I received it.”
She wiped away the wetness from her cheek. “I’m so happy it was meaningful to you. He loved you, Cam. Despite everything he did, I think he wanted the best for both of us.”
Cameron nodded, his expression reflective. “Paige, I need to ask you a favor. Could you meet me over at the Moose Café tomorrow afternoon? Around two o’clock?”
A favor? “Sure. Unless Emma is still not feeling well. I expect her to be fine, though. She barely had a temperature.”
The glint in Cameron’s eyes hinted at things she wasn’t sure it was wise to believe in. “Great. You should get some rest, Paige. It’s getting late. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The moment Cameron left the homestead, Paige immediately felt the loss of him being at her side. For so long she had weathered parenthood alone. It felt so nice to share it with someone—the hardships, the joy, the small triumphs. Watching Cameron have such a calming effect on Emma as he crooned her a lullaby had been powerful. If she hadn’t already been in love with him, it would have made her tumble right over the edge.
But she was already madly, deeply, forever in love with Emma’s daddy. And although it was a scary feeling, she also felt triumphant and centered. It was pretty amazing to still experience those feelings after separation, turmoil and despair. And if nothing ever came of her feelings for Cameron, she still felt fortunate to have experienced them.
Hope still flourished in her heart for a happy ending. The future was stretched out before them with so much potential for joy and poignant moments. Paige hoped Cameron realized that it was never too late for new beginnings.
* * *
As the sun crept over the horizon, a fully restored Emma woke up ready to take the world by storm. Paige chuckled to herself as she listened to her over the baby monitor. She was giggling and talking to herself. The thermometer verified that she no longer had even the slightest of temperatures. Cameron had called to check in on Emma, endearing him even more to Paige. There had been so much love and concern in his voice it gave her goose bumps.
At quarter to two she settled Emma into her car seat and headed into town. She felt her heart constrict as she passed by the pier and the fishing boats, as well as all the quaint shops on Jarvis Street. How she would miss this fishing village she loved so dearly. Seattle had been a great place to live, yet it had never felt like home.
As soon as she entered the Moose Café, enticing aromas drifted in her direction. Her stomach grumbled at the temptation. She and Emma were heartily greeted by several townsfolk. Although a few people still snubbed her, she considered it incredible progress.
