The Girls of Mischief Bay bonus epilog Epilog

Transcription

1 Bonus Epilog

2 The Girls of Mischief Bay bonus epilog Epilog Pam lifted her feet to the cushioned wicker ottoman as she drew in her first sip of coffee. Over the past few months, she d taken to spending half an hour every morning on the balcony of her condo, watching the water. Lulu, still in her pajamas, was pressed against Pam s side, chin resting on her thigh. The fabric featured kittens playing with balls of string. The cat s pajamas, Pam thought with humor. A dog wearing cat fabric struck her as funny. The sun rose behind them, leaving them in shade. Pam had lived in Mischief Bay all her life, most of it just a few blocks from here, but living five stories above the beach had opened a new world to her. The ocean went on forever, and the dynamic beauty of it soothed her when loneliness loomed. The sunsets were spectacular... and they kept coming. And then the sun rose again every morning. She didn t have much time to be lonely these days. She d returned from Europe a few weeks ago to find that she d been assigned a new client in her work with Moving Women Forward, a lovely young en-

3 SUSAN MALLERY trepreneur with dreams of getting her innovative kitchen products in stores nationwide. Pam was helping her to do market research and write a business plan. She d also helped Jen and Kirk decorate the nursery. Jen s bedroom growing up was now a little boy s room, with pale blue walls and a sports motif. The baby was due next week. Pam s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID before answering with a smile. I was just thinking about you. Mom? At Jennifer s tremulous tone, Pam immediately launched into mybaby-needs-me mode. She dislodged Lulu, rose to her feet and raced inside. What is it? My water broke, and Kirk s not answering his phone. I m on my way. Don t worry, baby. Not easy advice to follow. Everything that could go wrong played like a movie in Pam s head. Lulu raced in circles around her feet. Pam snatched her purse and the dog s leash from the kitchen counter and headed out the door without pausing. She scooped Lulu under one arm and hurried down five flights of stairs rather than wait for the elevator. She jumped into the SUV. She tried to snap Lulu into her restraint, but her hands were shaking too hard. Breathe. John s voice. She felt his calming presence in the vehicle. He was with her, always. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly, deliberately, the way Nicole had taught her in Pilates class. Lulu licked her eye, and Pam chuckled. I m okay, baby girl. Let s go take care of your sister. As she drove toward Jen s house, she called Nicole on the handsfree system and arranged for her to pick up Lulu. She didn t know how long she d be at the hospital. She d thought of calling Hayley, but although the other woman said she was happy for Jen, Pam could see longing in her eyes whenever the baby was mentioned. She thought it would be a kindness not to involve Hayley in little John s birth, however peripherally. When she got to the house, she kept the SUV running and let

4 The Girls of Mischief Bay bonus epilog herself in. Lulu raced ahead of her. I m here! Where are you? Here, Jen said, coming out of the kitchen. Pam s heart filled with love and a sense of rightness. Her baby was having a baby. In that moment, Pam felt connected to her daughter, to John, to her own mother and to all of the generations who had come before. Did you reach Kirk? Finally. I told him to meet us at the hospital. He left his phone in the squad car, but he called me as soon as he got my messages. He felt terrible. I ll bet. She grabbed the overnight bag that had been sitting in the foyer for two weeks and guided her daughter to the front door. You should be glad. You can use this as leverage in arguments for years. Jennifer laughed, but her laughter devolved into a groan when a contraction hit. Lulu yipped. You re going to stay here, Pam told the dog, closing the door gently, leaving Lulu inside. As she buckled Jen into the car, she remembered doing the same thing when her daughter was so small that her feet dangled over the edge of the seat. She was grateful that she could be here now, grateful that her baby girl wanted her here. They rushed to the hospital to find Kirk pacing at the entrance. He opened the door before the vehicle had stopped moving. With heartwarming caution, he ushered his wife through the glass doors, leaving Pam alone with her thoughts and with the sense, more tangible than ever, that John was at her side. * That evening, Pam sat in a rocking chair and held her beautiful grandson while Jennifer slept. Kirk had stayed with her through the baby s birth and afterward, until Pam had insisted he go to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Little John was wrapped in a soft, white receiving blanket and had a tiny knit cap on his head. Beneath that cap was a shock of dark blond hair. You get that from your grandpa, Pam whispered to the baby.

5 SUSAN MALLERY With his eyes closed, he wrinkled his nose and opened his mouth. His round cheeks were red, a little splotchy. You worked hard today, little man. A tap sounded softly on the door. As Pam looked up, a nurse peeked in. Are you up for some visitors? I ll come out, Pam murmured, returning the baby to the bassinet that had been placed near Jennifer s bed. As she walked toward the hallway, her arms felt empty. She missed him already. Shannon and Nicole stood near the nurse s station. They d both clearly come straight from work, though their uniforms couldn t be more different. Nicole had thrown an oversized T-shirt over her black Lycra workout clothes. Shannon wore a tailored blouse and a cream-colored pencil skirt, with heels that made Pam s feet hurt just from looking at them. Her two best friends turned toward her in unison. I m a grandma, Pam said, an irrepressible smile blossoming on her face. Nineteen inches. Seven pounds, eleven ounces. They hugged. As Nicole drew away, she handed Pam a Brad the Dragon toy. My sincere apologies, Nicole said. Tyler insisted. Johnny must be indoctrinated into the cult as early as possible. Where is Tyler? He s at home with Greta and Lulu. Greta has a soft spot for that dog. She almost smiled. How is Jennifer? Shannon asked. She did great. She was much calmer than I was the first time around. Pam tilted her head. Any twinges? To have a baby? Shannon said. No. I think we made the right decision. Adam and I got word yesterday that we ve been approved as foster parents. We re officially on the list, so now we wait. Char is taking it very seriously and has already been planning how to make our new family member feel welcome. We re trying to convince her that low key is better, so we ll see how that goes. Oliver doesn t let anything phase him. He s a go-with-the-flow kind of kid.

6 The Girls of Mischief Bay bonus epilog Kirk returned from the cafeteria, and his partner from the police force was with him. As the women congratulated the new father, Pam watched his friend eye Nicole. She wondered if he was single. Nicole insisted that although her divorce was final, she wasn t ready to date yet, but Pam knew that would change if she met the right man. I think it s time for Grandma to let the family have some alone time, she told Kirk. Anyone in the mood for Wok s Up? Nicole and Shannon agreed, then Pam turned to Kirk s partner. You re welcome to join us. Thanks, but I m on my way to meet my wife. So, not him, she thought. But someone, and soon. Nicole deserved some of the happiness that Pam had experienced in her life. Shannon had found it with Adam, and Pam had memories of her great love. Memories, her family, and these forever friends made life what it was... and life was good.