Page 109 of Holiday Love
Six Months Later
Helen
The bonfire burns brightly in the sand, ringed by a circle of smooth stones, its flames crackling and hissing as dry driftwood surrenders to the heat. Sparks swirlupward, vanishing into the summer night sky. The scent of salt, woodsmoke, and sunscreen lingers on the breeze.
A second circle surrounds the flames, this one made up of the people I love. My friends. Jamie and Lindsey sit on opposite sides of the fire. Gina sways barefoot in the sand, her laughter softer than before but growing stronger with each day. She’s still healing from Anthony, who Jamie threw out of the Venice Beach house the moment he learned what happened. Sometimes Gina dances with Lindsey and me at the studio, her joy slowly returning, until I can almost see her sparkle again.
Even Gwen and Caleb are here, with baby Carter, who might be the cutest tiny human I’ve ever seen. Caleb’s filming a movie in town, and Gwen’s managed a couple of weeks off from the hospital.
Teddy and I had been so nervous to tell her about our relationship, but after Christmas, we couldn’t wait any longer. I still remember how we sat shoulder to shoulder on my couch, the phone between us like a ticking bomb as we FaceTimed Gwen. She popped up on the screen, hair in a messy bun, Carter perched on her hip, every bit the competent ER doctor and busy mom.
I bit my nails, stomach in knots, while Teddy cleared his throat and told her we were together. Turns out, I shouldn’t have worried so much. Once he reassured her that we were serious about each other, she only had one question: “Do you make each other happy?”
Teddy smiled at me when he answered, his voice steady. “I’ve never been happier.”
That was it for me. My heart practically catapulted out of my chest to land right at his feet. I told her the same thing, that he made me happy in ways I hadn’t even known were possible.
At that, Gwen’s face softened. She smiled, shook her head, and muttered something about how Caleb owed her five bucks because shetoldhim this would happen, that we were inevitable. Then she laughed, a little watery around the edges, and said she was happy for us, that we deserved this. Her voice went soft, the kind of soft that carries love and relief all at once, and I knew right then we had her blessing.
Now, we’ve gotten to soak up time with Gwen and her little family, and it’s been amazing. I know being with his sister again means a lot to Teddy. He never said it outright, but I can tell how hard it was on him being away from his family, especially last Christmas.
Gina comes over and settles next to me, folding her legs beneath her. “How’d the appointment with your mom go yesterday?”
I sigh, sorrow tugging at the corners of my mouth. “She’s getting worse. It’s slow, but still…I was hoping for better news.”
Everyone murmurs their sympathy.
Caleb sits beside Gwen, his arm draped around her shoulders. He’s always touching her, always looking at her like he still can’t believe she’s real. “I’m so sorry, Helen,” he says gently.
I nod. Because, really, what else is there to say?
Silence settles over the group, heavy but not uncomfortable. After a moment, I turn to Jamie. “So, I have a surfing question…”
That’s all it takes. His whole face lights up, and he’s off, hands flying as he explains. Within minutes, everyone’s trading their best surf fail stories, wipeouts, bruises, broken boards. I add in a few of my own from the times Teddy and I havegone out together, including that day at Jamie’s place in Malibu when a pod of dolphins glided in and surfed right alongside us.
Laughter ripples around the fire, loosening the air again. The grief doesn’t disappear, but it softens, tucked into the edges of something warmer.
“Helen,” Gwen says, lifting her voice to be heard over the crash of waves, “can you hold Carter while I run to the bathroom? Caleb’s heading off to play volleyball with Teddy and Jamie.”
“Like you even have to ask.” I hold my arms out, grinning eagerly. I never pass up baby cuddles. Before, I didn’t think much about babies, but living with Teddy has me daydreaming about all kinds of new things. White dresses and bassinets kind of things, and every time I hold Carter, Teddy gives me this soft, tender look that makes me wonder if maybe he’s thinking about it too.
Gwen passes over the sleeping baby, and I cradle him carefully. He’s warm, bundled tight in soft blankets, only his rosy cheeks and golden hair peeking out. A total angel baby. I breathe him in, milk and that distinct baby scent that somehow smells like hope.
“Do you think he’s done it yet?” Gina asks, pointing toward the pier.
We all glance at the Ferris wheel. Something special is happening there tonight, and even though we’re pretty sure how it’ll turn out, we’re all buzzing with anticipation.
“I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough,” Lindsey says, her voice hushed like she doesn’t want to jinx it.
Gwen’s back, but I don’t give up Carter. I pretend to hold him away from her, and she laughs. “You can keep him all night if you want. Have fun when he wakes up at two a.m. because his diaper’s wet.”
“Two a.m.?” I echo, with a hint of panic. Maybe bassinets can wait a little while longer.
Two figures walk toward us from the pier, hands clasped together. “They’re coming back!” Gwen yells, already darting toward the volleyball game. “Caleb, Teddy, Jamie, hurry! They’re almost here.” The volleyball is abandoned in the sand as everyone rushes to gather next to the fire.
Two figures step from the shadows into the warmth of firelight, hands clasped, faces glowing.
Jenny and Dean.
