AllFreeNovel
Share Us
JULIA: Unfortunately, no.
ANNA: I don’t know what to do.
ANNA: She’s ruining new motherhood for me.
ANNA: Then again, I’m underslept, in pain, and very cranky. I’m sure I’m just being dramatic.
JULIA: I’ll do my best to create a perimeter. And there will be so many people at The Copperfield House to distract her. I hope.
Scarlet had hung a “WELCOME HOME, ANNA AND ADAM” banner between two posts on the front porch. Although it was mid-January, it was strangely warm, with a balmy, fiftyish-degree wind sweeping off the sound. Several Copperfield members were stationed across the porch, waving frantically as Anna walked slowly toward them, grinning from ear to ear. The crowd parted to allow Anna inside, where the rest of the family members spilled through the living room. Greta had set up a long table with plenty of snacks and red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. On the far end of the table was a framed photograph of Anna and Adam—the first that had ever been taken. In it, Anna looked stunning and mystified, as though she couldn’t believe she’d just done what she’d done.
Julia helped get Anna situated in one of the cushioned chairs. The baby slept soundly in his carrier beside her as Copperfield members approached to squeak with happiness.
“He’s so cute, Anna!” Scarlet cried. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better baby.”
Beside her, Scarlet’s mother, Aunt Catherine, nodded serenely. “Congratulations, Anna.”
Greta streamed through the crowd, looking effervescent, her white hair shining. Although she’d already met Adam on his first day in the hospital, she exclaimed that he was already slightly different. “They grow up so quickly, Anna. Blink, and they change.”
This was Greta’s first great-grandchild, and she prompted the rest of the Copperfield clan to celebrate accordingly. “Everyone! I’ve made enough food to feed a small army. There’s plenty of wine, beer, and spirits in the kitchen. Quentin, can I trust you to make cocktails? It’s a party!”
Even Alana gushed over the baby, sitting cross-legged beside his carrier. “I almost never regret not having kids,” she said. “But little Adam is something special.”
Anna’s initial annoyance over Violet in the hospital had given way to joy. She told everyone who would listen about how wonderful Julia had been as her birth partner and described just exactly how her heart had burst open when she’d first held Adam. Everyone listened intently, grateful to see the happiness reflected in Anna’s eyes. Everyone had worried about her. Everyone had pulled for her. And everyone prayed that Dean’s death wouldn’t be the nail in Anna’s coffin—that she would find a way to keep going. Adam was proof that time always healed.
The door between the residency and the family house opened to reveal Smith. He took one look at the massive family huddled together, eating cake and drinking wine, and froze. Several emotions played out over his face. One of them was regret. But a split second later, Greta ushered him into the house, urging him to grab a plate.
Julia checked her phone for the time. It was only one thirty—hours before Smith normally got himself out of bed to write. And she had a hunch she knew why.
“Welcome back,” Smith said as he ambled through the crowd to reach Anna.
Anna’s eyes lit up. “Smith. Hey.” She shifted to the edge of her seat and stood so that her and Smith’s noses were just a few inches from one another. Julia forced her gaze away. Although she didn’t entirely approve of whatever bubbling attraction this was, she could do nothing about it. And she had to assume it would fizzle out, anyway.
“Look at this, Julia.”
A phone was suddenly shoved in her face. Frowning, Julia turned to find Violet beside her, her lips in a paper-thin line. On the screen of her phone was an article called “Why Doctors Recommend Breast Milk Above All.” Slowly, Julia shoved the phone to the side and said, “Can I talk to you, Violet? In the kitchen?”
Violet followed Julia down the hallway. Greta bustled past them, carrying an enormous platter of French cheeses. “Anna can eat brie again!” she called.
In the kitchen, Julia asked Violet to sit down. Her stomach bubbled with rage and annoyance, which she tried to quell. Violet sat and crossed her ankles.
“Isn’t it wonderful that he’s home?” Violet said.
Julia’s smile was strained. “It really is. I know Anna’s so happy to start the next chapter of her life. And I’m excited to help her.”
“Me too.”
Julia winced and dropped into the chair across from Violet. Above everything, she had to protect her daughter and her grandson.
“I think we need to talk,” Julia began.
“Okay?”
“It’s been, um, so nice to have you here,” Julia went on. “But if you’re going to stay a little bit longer, I think we need to build a united front to help Anna. We need to work together.”
Violet’s gaze darkened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m here as an advocate for Dean. I know what he would have thought was best for his son.”
Julia struggled not to roll her eyes at that one. Dean had been twenty-five at the time of his death. He’d probably never held more than five babies, let alone had opinions about how to raise one.
