Page 79 of Pretty Relentless

“You and me both. It’s been difficult enough to keep him comfortable and relaxed. You know your father. He wants to beup and doing something all the time, so for him to be forced to sit idle hasn’t been easy for him.”

“Or you,” I add with a teasing tone.

“I love that man to death, but he’s driving me bonkers.”

Smiling, I take the casserole pan she’s just washed and dry it off. “Let me know if I can help. Annabelle and I can come over and visit more often,” I tell her, instantly feeling guilty for not offering to help more than I have been. I took on their snow removal so Dad wasn’t tempted to do it himself, and have been helping anywhere else I can, but I have to just show up and do it. They never ask for assistance, despite Dad’s back injury. Mom just steps up and does what she needs to do to get the work done. It was an argument for me to take over the shoveling, but when I wouldn’t relent, she finally conceded to let me do it for a while.

“We’re just fine, dear. Besides, you’ve been busy yourself lately,” she replies with a knowing grin.

The look of excitement on her face makes me groan. I suppose I did walk right into that one. “Doesn’t matter. I’d make time to do whatever you need.”

She reaches over and places her wet, soapy hand on my arm. “I know that, and we appreciate it. We’re managing just fine. Paul came over last weekend and took care of that limb that fell in the backyard. I didn’t even have a chance to mention it to you before he showed up and cut it up.”

My brother has a busy schedule, but he’s always willing to drop what he’s doing to help Mom and Dad. “I’m glad. I noticed he went ahead and took the firewood with him,” I tease.

“Of course he did. Free firewood for the fireplace,” Mom replies, giving me a look out of the corner of her eye. “Tell me about her.”

I exhale but not out of irritation. I realize quickly I want to talk about Ava, even if I can’t tell her exactly who I’m referringto. “She’s…amazing. Simply the kindest, most beautiful person I’ve ever known, inside and out.”

Mom smiles. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks. I’m pretty happy too. We’re taking it very slow, like I said earlier. She has…rules. And until it’s time, we’re just keeping things on the down-low, but I’m hoping we’ll take it to the level soon.”

“Good. It does this mom heart good to see you smiling real, genuine smiles again. After the whole mess with Julia, I wasn’t sure you’d ever risk your heart again. I’m glad you are, and I don’t mind you taking it slow, for whatever reason. Just know I’m here, waiting to meet her when the time comes.”

“You will,” I assure her.

“Good. And don’t worry about Annabelle. She’ll love whoever you love, simply because you’ve taught her how to open her heart, give and receive love. She has every single one of your good qualities, Gavin. I know it hasn’t been easy, but you’ve done an amazing job raising her. Julia too. I may not like that woman very much for the added stress and bullshit she’s done to you, but I can appreciate how she’s co-parented my granddaughter, even if I wanted to wring her neck a few times over the years.”

I give my mom a big smile. “I love you,” I say, throwing my arms around her shoulders and giving her a hard squeeze.

“I love you too. Now, let’s get these dishes done so you can get out of here. Maybe there’s time for you to go see your lady friend. You know, convince her to break all the rules. I’d like another grandbaby someday.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “You’re relentless.”

She just grins up at me. “Where do you think you get it from?”

Don’t I know it.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ava

“This looks amazing,” Blair announces the moment she steps inside the community center where the double baby shower is being hosted today.

“Ava did the decorations. Aren’t they amazing?” Ellie states with a huge smile on her face.

“Oh my goodness,” Hallie coos, her eyes filling with tears as she and Logan enter.

“You two completely outdid yourselves,” Blair adds.

“Well, we had help. The moms all pitched in too,” Ellie says, looking around proudly.

She came up with an exquisite menu of sweet and savory treats, complete with a massive charcuterie board and homemade dessert bars, cookies, and cupcakes. The spread is impressive, but her presentation puts it over the top.

“Do you need help with anything?” Logan asks, looking a little nervous. While both he and Gabe are excited to become dads within the next month or two, I’m not sure the same could be said about attending today’s baby shower.

“Gabe’s in the kitchen,” I tell him, to which he practically runs off to find the other man in attendance today.

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