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As expected, we were late getting to the dining room, and Abby glared at me. “You two lovebirds need to give it a rest. You’ve got the rest of your life for that stuff. This is a family vacation, or did you forget?”

I chuckled. When did I become the child and Abby the parent? “Sorry. We’ll try harder to remember that next time. So, what’s the big announcement that couldn’t wait?”

Abby looked nervous all of a sudden. It couldn’t be about the twins, because she wouldn’t have held back if something was wrong. So why was she concerned about speaking now?

“Did you want me to start?” Timothy asked. Abby nodded. “Okay. I got a new job and we will be relocating in about a month.”

My heart sank. “You’re…moving?” Everything had been perfect. I had the man I love, the grandchildren on their way and I wanted to see them all the time. “You can’t be serious.”

“We are. But it’s still in Rhode Island, just southern Rhode Island,” he said.

That wasn’t as bad, but I’d dreamt of having my grandchildren close. Maybe even walking distance. But this was expected. Abby and Timothy were grown and starting their own family. They didn’t need me hovering over them all the time. They didn’t need me like I needed my mother. I just…wish she did.

“Where are you moving to? I asked.

“Westerly. Actually, Weekapaug, very close to the beach,” he replied.

Rick and I used to talk about moving there when we were young. It’s a lovely place to live and raise a family. More than an hour drive, but not too bad for us.

“Did you find an apartment already?” I asked.

“No. We found a house,” Abby said. “There’s just one problem with it.”

“You bought a house?” I blurted in shock. Have I been living under a rock? When the hell did all this happen?

“Yes. Don’t worry. Grandpa came with us to check it out. Since he’s the carpenter in the family, I thought it was good for him to give his approval,” Abby said.

I looked at my dad and he shrugged. I get it. It’s Abby. Everyone says yes to her.

“Well, I guess congratulations are in order.” I said sincerely. “It’s a beautiful place to live. I’m sure you’re going to be very happy there.” I’m just going to miss being so close.

“I’m glad you think that, because…it’s a duplex. Well, more like a huge house with an in-law apartment built in,” she smiled. “Hope you two don’t mind moving to Weekapaug with us? I mean, I’m having twins. I’m going to need help. I’m going to need my mom close by.”

She needs me.I started to tear up and said, “Yes! I mean…” I turned to Rick. I couldn’t speak for myself anymore. It wasn’t just about me. It was about us. “I guess we can talk about it and…”

“Yes. I want to move to Weekapaug or any other place where we can all be together as a family,” he said. Then he looked across the table and I saw him lock eyes with his sister. “Carlie, why don’t you come home, too? It’s been too long since we’ve had a family, since we’ve been a family. And if I’m right, Abby and Valentina wouldn’t mind an extra hand around, either.”

Abby got up and rushed around the table to Carlie. “Yes, please move to Weekapaug with us.”

Carlie looked to Roger, who said, “You’re an author. You can write anywhere and since I just retired, there is nothing holding me in Hawaii either. Besides, from what I’ve seen, this family is full of romantic stories.”

“Are you sure?” Carlie asked.

“Like your brother said, let’s be where the family is. It’s been too long without them.”

I smiled as they told Abby they’d come for a visit to do some house-shopping of their own.

My dad said, “I hope you don’t expect us to drop everything and move, too.”

Abby chuckled. “Don’t make me come over there, Grandpa. You know I will,” she warned.

He laughed. “Just making sure you weren’t forgetting about us. And we’ve already decided to put our house on the market when we return home.”

Rick slid an arm around my shoulder and whispered, “I guess we’d better take advantage of being alone in that cabin while we can, because I don’t think we’re going to get much privacy ever again.”

I looked around the table, and although I loved our time alone, I was loving this new expanding family. And from the look on my husband’s face, so was he.

“Maybe we just skip breakfast from now on,” I winked.

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