Page 55 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
“Didn’t Grandma send you a text?”
Feeling guilty, Virginia grabbed her phone and realized Veronica had indeed let her know Phoebe would pick her up at the ferry dock. “She did. I didn’t see it, though. Sorry.”
“No worries, I found you. Mom and Grandma can’t wait to see you.”
Virginia felt much the same when it came to this visit with her twin and her grandniece.
The ride took fifteen minutes in the traffic. Phoebe’s boyfriend parked in front of the house. No sooner had he turned off the engine when the front door opened and Veronica stepped onto the porch.
Virginia climbed out of the car and tears filled her eyes. Her sister was eager to see her, eager to put the past behind them. Eager to share the closeness they’d once had and lost. It felt like a Christmas miracle.
They met halfway to the house and embraced. Veronica had tears in her eyes, too. “You can have Mom’s pearls,” she whispered, hugging Virigina tightly around the waist. “The onlyreason I wanted them was because I knew you did. It was unforgivable of me, and I’m so sorry.”
“You can have the china,” Virginia said, fresh tears raining down her cheeks. “It was selfish of me to take it knowing how much you treasured that set. I haven’t used it even once. It’s all yours.”
With their arms around each other’s waists, they walked into the house.
Sniffling, Veronica said, “Now tell me about this baby.”
And so Virginia did, not omitting a single detail.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A great deal had happened between the time the ferry reached Seattle and Christmas Day for Beth and Logan. Olivia had her chance to see Santa with her parents at her side. For the first time since Logan had decided to move out, they’d talked. Really talked, baring their souls to each other. Even after reconciling, Beth knew Logan was nervous about spending Christmas Day with her family.
Logan admitted that his pride had gotten in the way of doing what was best for his family. Learning that Beth’s parents had pitched in to ease the financial burden following Olivia’s birth had made him feel like less of a man. For reasons she couldn’t fully understand, he felt that he had failed in his responsibilities.
Beth willingly admitted her own part in the breakup of their marriage. She should never have hidden her family’s participation in paying off their debts. She’d meant well, but it had backfired on her and wounded her husband. Then, instead of dealing with the issue, she’d done her best to pretend everything was fine when it clearly wasn’t. If only they’d been able to talk earlier, then these two years of misery might have been avoided.
The contrast between the way he’d grown up and Beth’s childhood was striking. His father was an alcoholic and his mother had run off when he was a teenager. Logan hadn’t talked to either of them in years.
As a result, he’d never been completely comfortable around her close-knit family when his own had been so completelydysfunctional. Hard as her parents and siblings tried, Logan found it difficult to fit in.
It went without saying how much he loved Beth and adored their daughter. However, being part of a real family had overwhelmed him. He admitted he never understood what Beth saw in him. He’d never been unconditionally loved and accepted, and he struggled with finding his place in the fold.
At family functions, he was prone to sit back and watch, although he had to admit he enjoyed himself.
They parked in front of Beth’s family home. Beth noticed that Logan’s hands remained on the steering wheel, as if he were afraid to let go.
“It’s going to be fine,” she assured him, gently placing her hand on his forearm.
His nod was weak. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen your parents, and I guess I’m worried that we’re all going to be uncomfortable. Should I mention it? Or would it be best to say nothing?”
Beth’s brow creased as she considered his question. “Play it by ear. My thought is that if anyone questions you leaving, it will be my dad. For Mom’s part, I think she’s pleased we’ve reconciled for Olivia’s sake, knowing how much our daughter loves her daddy.”
“I’d hoped to bring your parents a gift . . .”
“Logan,” Beth said reassuringly, her hand tightening over his forearm. “You’re giving my parents the best possible gift they could ever want.”
He turned to face her, his eyes full of doubt.
“You’re gifting my parents with a happy daughter and granddaughter.”
“Daddy,” Olivia said from the back seat. “Are you going to live with us forever and ever?”
Even now Olivia needed to be reassured that her daddy wouldn’t leave them again.
Logan relaxed. “Yes, pumpkin.”
