Page 33 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“I’m home for the rest of the day,” I said.“What would you like to do?”
“Just relax right here with you,” said Vaughn.
“Sounds perfect.I’ve got a good book, and I intend to do nothing but read for most of the day.I can’t remember when I’ve had a chance to do so,”
“I do want to see Liz and the kids, though,” said Vaughn.“They’re growing so fast that each time I get to see them, I notice big changes.”
“Okay, that sounds like fun.I’ll give Liz a call and see if we can invite ourselves over.”At one time I’d envisioned having all the kids here at my house for playdates but soon learned visits were handled better at the kids’ house, where they had all their toys and could easily be watched.
I went inside and helped myself to a cup of coffee and a sweet roll.Taking them and my cell phone out to the lanai, I settled on the couch to call Liz.
“Hi, Mom!What’s up?”she answered cheerfully.
“Vaughn is home, and he wants to see you and the kids.I know it’s easier for everyone if we come to your house.Is sometime today workable?”
“Perhaps you could give Chad and me a break and watch them while we go to lunch.Then we’ll have plenty of time to talk.”
“That will be great,” I said.“What time do you want us there?”
“How about eleven thirty?That way we can miss most of the touristy crowds,” said Liz.
“We can do that.I love that we can give you and Chad a time to yourselves,” I said.
“We appreciate it, especially because Chad’s mother isn’t interested in doing any babysitting.I can’t say much to Chad about it because it hurts his feelings that she doesn’t ever have time for us.”
“That’s pretty much how it was for him growing up, wasn’t it?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” said Liz.“That’s why he wants to have an active role in raising the kids.Believe me, it takes more than one person to handle triplets and a toddler.”
“Now that Vaughn is home, perhaps the two of you can get away for a sail.As a matter of fact, Vaughn, Robbie, and I were talking about introducing the Ts to sailing.It would be us three adults and the three kids.That’s the only way it would work.How does that sound?”
“Excellent,” said Liz.“Vaughn is the one that got me into sailing, and it’s a delightful way to enjoy nature and to relax.I thought of Dad this morning and realized he never really had time for me growing up.”
“Robert loved you, but like you said, he never had time for his family unless it was connected to the business in some way.”
“Your business,” said Liz.“I know all about how he stole your ideas.”
“No use going there,” I said.“Look at both of us now, happily married and loving our family times.”
“I talked to Chad about carving out time for hotel business and he’s all for it,” said Liz.“Maybe that’s why I’m remembering things.”
“One day at a time.Rhonda and I want you and Angie to take over one day.We can talk about it later.Let’s set up a meeting with Harper and discuss some of her ideas and yours.”
“Thanks, Mom.I needed to hear that today.I realize how fast the kids are growing.When they’re all in school all day, I want to have a meaningful life beyond being their mother.”
“Understandable,” I said.“We’ll see you later.”
I ended the call and sat a moment thinking how life was one circle after another.I never would’ve known Rhonda if our daughters hadn’t met, and Rhonda would never have met Will if he hadn’t been my financial advisor and on and on.
Vaughn approached and leaned down to kiss me.Meeting him was the most magical circle of all.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Each time I saw my darling grandchildren run toward me my heart filled with joy.I’d heard from other women how special it was to be a grandparent but hadn’t experienced it until my grandchildren were born.
Liz had tried for a baby for a few years before having the triplets.The wait had been worth it.Emily, Olivia, and Noah were bright, active four-year-olds about to become five.Their younger brother, Gabe, who was eighteen months old, had walked early in an effort to keep up with them.Though they played together, each child liked to do their own thing making it difficult to keep an eye on them.
As an only child with no real example to follow, Liz had surprisingly acquired an easy attitude with them, befitting someone from a large family with a lot of experience.It was a pleasure to see.
