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A few minutes into sitting and catching up, they were called to get their plates. Everyone sat at the long table that still had space to hold more than the nineteen people currently seated there.
“So, how is my beautiful granddaughter doing?” Becky asked her as conversation flowed around the table.
“Rory is a great, Mom.” A broad graced her lips as she thought about her daughter.
“She just got engaged,” she broke the news.
“That’s wonderful news, sweetie,” her mother congratulated.
“Yes, I’m really excited for her and James.”
The rest of the family offered their congratulations as they all ate heartedly.
“So will the wedding be held here?” her cousin Kerry who sat two seats away, asked.
“Oh, no, she wanted to keep it in San Francisco. She already booked the venue for the reception,” she explained.
“Well, if she changes her mind and decides to have it here, I would be more than happy to bake her wedding cake, free of charge,” she offered.
“Thank you, Kerry. I’m sure she would appreciate the gesture.” Andrea gave her cousin a smile of gratitude.
“You know that isn’t a bad idea. Oak Harbor would be a wonderful place for her to have her wedding. There are so many different spots on the property that would make for the perfect backdrop for her nuptials,” her mother chimed in, already sold on the idea.
“Maybe you should ask her and see if she agrees,” Cora told her.
Andrea considered the suggestions her family made and decided it wasn’t a bad idea. There were so many places that she’d identified for the perfect wedding setup, like down by the docks, and the gazebo built behind the inn that Cora had sent pictures of to her. There was also the rose garden that she’d gotten a brief glimpse of when she’d been there a month back. There was nowhere on the property that wouldn’t be a good choice for the wedding and the reception.
“Now that I think about it, you’re all right. This is the perfect place to have a wedding or even the reception. It’s a dream destination,” she agreed.
After she filled her plate for seconds and complimented Uncle Luke on his prowess in using the grill to turn out the best outdoor meal she’d had in a while, the family sat sipping wine, at least those who were old enough to or those who weren’t on medication. The conversations were light and entertaining, and Andrea found herself laughing nonstop.
When Cora rose to move the dishes inside, she got up to help her. The other females offered their help, but they assured them that they had it under control. While Cora washed, Andrea rinsed and dried the dishes, resting them on the counter.
“I thought after all these years being apart from our family would have made it really weird for us to come together like this. I had my doubts, but I’m glad you guys chose to have this barbecue,” Andrea broke the silence they’d been working in.
Cora looked over at her sister and gave her an encouraging smile.
“They have been great,” she confessed, referring to her cousins. “They’ve been coming by regularly just to catch up or just to drop off food. I was just as surprised as you, but I’ve come to appreciate their support.”
Andrea felt a pair of hands wrap around her torso as Cora pulled her to her side and rested her cheek on her shoulder.
“I’m really sorry I wasn’t there for you all those years ago, Drea.” She sighed sadly. “If I could reverse time, I would have done things so differently.”
Andrea felt her eyes dampen at the sincerity coming from her sister.
“I missed you, Cora.” Her voice broke with her vulnerability.
“I missed you too, Drea. I’m sorry for not being there, but I want to be there for you now.”
Just then, their mother walked in, freezing at the scene before her.
“Your father would be so happy to see you both here in this manner,” she spoke with such emotion. Going over to her daughters, she engulfed both of them.
The three of them stood there, not letting each go, when Becky finally murmured, “I’m so happy you’re finally home. My girls are home.”
