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Clive's expression softens. He lays a hand on Solana's shoulder. "I know, dear. But this is a solemn place. We must be quiet and well behaved to honor our ancestors."
Solana nods, blinking back tears. The other children gather around her, faces serious.
"We're sorry," says one little boy. "We'll be good now."
The kids clasp hands, united in contrition. Watching them, my heart swells.
I clear my throat and take Talia's hand in mine. "It's alright," I say gently. "Just walk softly around the grave."
Hope stirs, then settles against Talia once more. The waves shush rhythmically along the shore.
I glance over at my father. He stands before my mother's grave, shoulders hunched, staring down at the simple stone marker. Grief carves deep lines into his face.
I approach slowly, not wanting to startle him. "Dad," I say softly.
He looks up, eyes bright with tears. Seeing his pain lances through me. I pull him into a fierce embrace.
"I miss her so much, Dare," he chokes out. "Every damn day."
"I miss her, too." I swallow hard. "But she'd be so proud of you. Four months sober now, right?"
He nods, swiping at his eyes. "It's been hard. But I'm trying, son. For you and your brother."
I clasp his shoulder, emotion threatening to overwhelm me. In this serene place, it feels like healing can finally begin. That the wounds of the past can scab over, scars fading with time.
We stand in silence then, father and son, gazing at the marker engraved with my mother's name. The one who brought us into this world, gone too soon. Though her body rests here, her spirit lives on in her sons. That bond can never be broken.
Talia approaches me, holding Hope against her chest. The baby is swaddled in a soft pink blanket, little fists waving as she babbles happily.
"There's someone I'd like you to meet," Talia says softly.
My father looks up, eyes widening as he takes in the tiny bundle. "Is that...is that my granddaughter?"
His voice cracks with emotion.
Talia's smile is radiant. "Yes. This is Hope. Your first grandchild."
She passes the baby gently into my father's arms. He cradles her against his chest, tears flowing freely now. "She's beautiful," he breathes. "Absolutely perfect."
Hope gazes up at her grandfather, entranced. Then she gives him a toothless grin, waving her hands.
He lets out a watery chuckle. "Aren't you just the sweetest thing?"
Talia slips her arm around my waist. We watch together as my father bonds with his granddaughter, hope and joy shining on his face. The others gather around, oohing and ahhing over Hope. She laughs happily at all the attention.
The sun beats down on us as we stand clustered around my mother's grave. The breeze carries the scent of salt and sea, rustling through the willow branches that shade this peaceful place. Hope burbles happily in my father's arms, oblivious to the somber mood that surrounds her.
I glance over at Talia, taking in the serene expression on her face as she watches Tripp with the baby. Her inner strength astounds me, even now.
Looking at my father, I see a light in his eyes that has been absent for far too long. Holding his grandchild has brought him joy, but even more than that, it has reignited his will to live. I can tell just from the determination in his posture that he plans to stick with his sobriety, if only to remain a part of Hope's life.
My own heart feels uncomfortably full.
Talia slips her hand in mine, squeezing gently. I squeeze back, letting her know I'm here.
Hope babbles again, and we all laugh. The sound seems to lift years of sorrow from this little island. I know my mother is smiling down on us.
"Thank you for this," I whisper, too low for anyone else to hear.She smiles and leans against me, sighing.
As we walk back to the yacht hand in hand, I know Talia is thinking the same thing. The past can't be changed, but the present is ours to shape.
This family has been given a second chance. It has grown by multiples and simultaneously been cobbled together, creating a mishmash of found family and blood relations. It’s a bit unwieldy and oddly shaped, but harder than granite where it counts.
This ismyfamily.
And I'll do everything in my power to embrace it.
