Never Forgotten (Never Forgotten Series) (23 page)

Katie pouted at me from across the aisle. She was next to Lydia, and Darren was closest to the champagne. They cut her off at one glass, and she clearly wanted more. “No fair,” she mouthed to me.

When we stopped in front of the restaurant, I stood to get off. I swayed a little before Evan caught my arm. “Easy,” he murmured.

“Maybe I should have stopped at two.” I giggled, and then frowned. I didn’t giggle, did I?

“You think?” He rolled his eyes, but held tightly to my arm, helping me off the bus. Once we had more room, he slid his arm around my waist, which was more comfortable and supportive anyway.

I leaned into him. He was so warm, so cute. I hugged him and then hiccupped, right before I tripped over the uneven pavement.

Evan snorted. I gave him the evil eye, which made him laugh out loud. “Let’s get you some food.”

The party room was at the back of the restaurant in a private wing with its own bathrooms and a concierge to take our coats. Classical music played softly, and the air smelled sweetly floral from the garland draped along the entranceway and the cascading bouquets on the tables. Serving staff circulated trays of appetizers as guests mingled. As we walked around, I nodded and smiled at everyone. Evan filled a plate and handed it to me.

“Eat up. You’ll feel better.”

“I feel great!” I grinned at him, but he took a stuffed mushroom cap off the plate and held it to my mouth.

“You won’t for long unless you eat,” he insisted, so I took it and ate it. It was delicious. So was everything else on the plate. Soon, it was gone.

“Oops,” I said. “I hope you didn’t want to share.”

Evan laughed. “No, you needed it more than me. Did you even eat today?”

“No,” I said. “I was too nervous.”

“Do you feel better?”

“I guess.” I didn’t know if the word I was looking for was “better”, but I did feel more like myself. That lovely, fuzzy head feeling was almost gone.

“Do you want something to drink?” When my eyes lit up, Evan laughed. “I meant, like a Coke or something, Meara.”

“Oh,” I said, trying not to sound disappointed. “Diet Coke it is.”

I followed Evan through the crowd to the bar in the corner.

“Do you have another drink?” Katie asked. I turned to see her glaring at us, her hand on her hip.

I raised my glass. “Diet Coke.”

“Hmmmpf,” she said. “Well, okay then. I was going to insist you get me some too if it was more of that delicious bubbly.”

“I know, right?” I said. I looked around for Katie’s boyfriend. “Where’s Brian?”

“On his way, I guess.” Katie shrugged. “He’s coming right after work.”

I bounced a little on my feet. “I can’t wait for the dancing.”

“Me, too!”

The head server announced dinner, and everyone began to move to their assigned seats. Katie, Evan, and I were at the head table. Lydia, Darren, and Katie sat on Mom’s right. I sat on David’s left, and Evan sat on the other side of me.

David squeezed my hand. “How are you doing, kiddo?”

“I’m good,” I said. “You?”

He laughed. “Never been better.”

Our server set the plates in front of us—lobster tails, filet mignon, scallop potatoes, and asparagus.

“Oh wow.” I didn’t have seafood often. It was a luxury Mom and I rarely splurged on.

“Do you like seafood?” David asked.

“I love it,” I said.

“What’s your favorite?”

I thought for a moment. How to pick a favorite? “Probably crab legs. They are so sweet.”

“I like oysters best myself,” David said. “But crab’s delicious, too.”

I managed to eat about half of my dinner before it was time for speeches. David greeted everyone and thanked them for coming. Mom went next and said more or less the same thing. Then Lydia gave a speech as Matron of Honor. I listened to her tell funny stories about my mom from their childhood, relieved that I didn’t have to give a speech. I wondered what she would say about David, but she didn’t say much. When she finished, she hugged my mom and then David.

I was almost done eating when David led Mom to the floor for their first dance. The lights dimmed, and the song began. I recognized it right away, Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. It was one of my mom’s favorite songs. David held her close, one hand on her lower back, the other clasping hers. They spun slowly around the room, and Mom’s dress floated out around them. Conversations faltered as the room fell under their spell. When the song ended, everyone clapped.

The next dance was the wedding party dance. Evan offered me his hand, and I took it. When we reached the dance floor, he pulled me into his arms. We moved slowly with the music, and I relaxed against his chest.

“Are you having fun?” he asked. I looked up at him and nodded. He kissed me lightly. “Good.”

The song ended, and everyone was invited to dance. The music switched from slow and romantic to a pulsing beat. Katie joined us on the dance floor. Evan didn’t have the best rhythm, but he tried. After a couple of songs, though, he told me that he wanted to grab a Coke and get some fresh air.

“No more than ten minutes,” he promised.

We kept dancing, and my skin grew hot. I was about to suggest that we grab a drink, too, when Brian came up behind Katie. He ran his hands down her side and kissed her neck. Unlike Evan, he was a great dancer. The three of us danced to the next couple of songs, until a slow song began. Brian wrapped his arms around Katie and led her away in a dance. I looked around the room for Evan, but he was gone.

Mom and Lydia sat sipping wine at the head table. They were flushed and a little sweaty from dancing. I imagined that I looked the same. I couldn’t wait to get a drink of something cold.

“Have you seen Evan?”

“No,” Mom said. I noticed dark shadows under her eyes. “Maybe he’s with David.”

“Where’s David?”

“He went outside to get some air.”

I got a ginger ale, nodding at Darren and Grandpa, who were drinking beers by the bar. I pushed open the door to the private outside patio.

The patio was deserted, which wasn’t surprising since it was the middle of January and pretty damn cold. I welcomed the frigid air against my hot skin. All that dancing worked up quite a sweat. I stood, sipping my drink. As my ears adjusted from the loud music to the outdoor silence, I heard hushed male voices.

“…it was you. I know…admit it.”

“So what…me? You need to…out…Evan.”

I heard Evan’s name, and my heart jumped. Who was he talking to? I strained to discern the voices, but they were too quiet. Distinctly male, but it could be any guy in the room. I couldn’t tell if the voices belonged to David or Evan. I didn’t know if someone was addressing Evan or just saying his name. I longed to peek around the corner and find out, but I wasn’t sure how far away they were standing. While I stood trying to decide, the door opened behind me.

“There you are, Meara!” Katie said. “What are you doing out here?”

“Oh, I just came out to cool off.” I made my voice sound carefree, in case they were listening, whoever they were.

“Where’s Evan?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe he’s inside looking for us?”

She frowned. “I didn’t see him, but I guess we can look again.”

It was another ten minutes before Evan found me. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me. I jumped a bit. “You’re cold!” I protested.

He laughed. “Sorry, I guess I stayed out a little longer than I should have.”

I took a chance. “I went out on the patio about ten minutes ago, and I didn’t see you.”

“I took a short walk,” he said. “C’mon, let’s dance some more.”

“Did you walk by yourself?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around his neck, which was cool to the touch.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Who else would I walk with?”

I was disappointed. Was he one of the voices I heard? It would make sense since he was outside, but why hide it from me?

David tapped Evan on the shoulder. Did I imagine it, or did a look of irritation flash across Evan’s face.

“May I cut in?” David asked.

“Of course.” Evan stepped back, turned, and walked off the dance floor. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was angry.

David placed his hand on my waist and took my other hand in his. He smiled down at me. “You don’t know how happy I am, Meara. I’m so glad that we can be a family now.”

“Why now?” I asked. “After all these years?”

“I tried earlier,” David said. “I couldn’t find you.”

“Couldn’t find us?” I asked. “Did you try? Did you ask my grandparents?”

David’s laughter was bitter. “You saw how Jamie treated me when I first came back. How do you think he would have reacted if I approached him without your mother there?”

“Ah,” I hesitated. He had a point there. He was not one of Grandpa’s favorite people. I tried a different approach. “Why did you leave in the first place?”

David sighed. “I had to.”

“Had to,” I repeated. “What does that mean?”

“I will explain,” David said. “Soon.”

“When?” I demanded.

“Not tonight,” he said. “I know you want answers, Meara, but tonight is not the night. Tonight we are celebrating, yes?”

“Yes,” I said. I wanted so desperately to tell him that I already knew what he was, what I was, that I didn’t have to be pawn in his game. Instead, I dropped my head to his chest.

“Thank you,” he whispered, pulling me into a hug as the song ended. I stiffened at first at the unexpectedness, but then I relaxed. I found myself hugging him back.

I blinked as the lights went up. Chair scraped against the floor as the guests stood to give their final wishes and leave. David squeezed my hand. “I should find your mother.”

They were going to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. I was staying with my grandparents while they were gone, and then Mom and I were moving into David’s condo. On one hand, it made me nervous, and I was sad that I wouldn’t see my grandparents as often. On the other hand, I was going to be much closer to Evan.

I followed David, since I wanted to say goodbye.

“Meara!” Mom pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek. I held onto her tightly. When we pulled apart, my vision blurred with unshed tears.

“Have fun, Mom,” I said. “I’ll miss you.”

Mom wiped a bit of her lipstick from my check and smiled at me. “I’ll miss you, too, sweetheart, but I’ll see you soon.”

My grandparents started to say goodbye, so I moved to the side. Evan came up next to me. “You okay?”

“Sure.” I sniffed a little. “It’s just, you know, not every day that your parents get married.”

"I
t’s so like you, Brigid.” David’s laugh was bitter. He stared at my aunt, his face full of scorn. She was beautiful with her long, dark hair blowing wildly in the wind, swirling around her pale face. Her beauty was only marred by her fury.

“She’s a Halfling.” Brigid’s eyes flashed, and her fingers pulled at the choker around her neck.

“Nonetheless, she is my daughter.” David spoke with authority, his voice full of contempt. “I’ll have you show her nothing but respect.”

“Respect,” Brigid spat. “She doesn’t even know who she is.”

“She will,” David said. “Very soon.”

“Then take her and go.” How quickly Brigid turned from angry to pleading. “Before it’s too late.”

I woke with a start. The sun, a sliver on the horizon, tinted the cloudless sky a deep purple. I studied the patterns of frost on the windows. What woke me up? My breath came out as a visible mist. As much as I loved having a converted porch for a bedroom, it wasn’t too ideal in the winter. My nose was absolutely freezing. The rest of me, however, was toasty warm, thanks to the electric blanket my grandparents gave me for Christmas. At least I didn’t have much longer to deal with it. My parents were coming home from their honeymoon today. Tomorrow, we would be moving to David’s apartment.

A light tapping at the window made me jump. Who was out in this bitter cold?

I sat up, and saw Evan’s face pressed against the glass. I laughed. He looked like a little kid, grinning from ear to ear. Well, he certainly had a way of waking a girl on her birthday.

I cracked the window open just enough so we could talk. The frigid air raised goose bumps across my arms. Grabbing the throw from the end of my bed, I pulled it around me.

“What are you doing here at this hour?” I yawned the last couple of words.

“I have to show you something.” He was annoying when he was so awake and energetic. He didn’t even seem cold. “Quick, get dressed and meet me out front.”

I looked at the clock. “Evan, it’s six am.”

“Meara, hurry up before they’re gone.”

“Before who’s gone?”

“You’ll see.” He started to turn away, and then turned back, giving me a lopsided grin. “Oh, and Meara? Happy birthday!”

I closed and locked the window. Grabbing the first sweater and pair of jeans I could find, I ran to the bathroom to get ready. I tiptoed to the front hall so I wouldn’t wake my grandparents, bundled up, and ran out to meet him.

When I opened the car door, the warm air welcomed me. Once I was situated and buckled in, Evan handed me a Diet Coke. I smiled gratefully.

“Okay. I’m curious,” I said. “What gives?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he concentrated on backing out of the driveway. When he kicked it into drive and didn’t answer me, I persisted. “Where are we going?”

“The lighthouse.” He kept his eyes on the road.

“You know, I like the lighthouse as much as the next girl,” I said. “But, why are we going there at this hour?”

“I’d rather show you than explain.”

“Taking lessons from David now?” I teased. He just glanced at me with his eyebrow raised. I gave up and looked out the window. A dreamy orange joined the vibrant pink in the early morning sky.

When we got within a few blocks of the lighthouse, Evan pulled over and parked.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“We’re walking the rest of the way.”

“Isn’t it a bit cold for a stroll?”

“I don’t want to scare them.”

“Scare who?” Who hangs out at the lighthouse, first thing in the morning, in the middle of February? Was there some kind of weird cult in Peggy’s Cove?

“Meara.” Evan took my gloved hand in his and pulled me along. “Come on!”

He broke into a light jog, and I struggled to keep up. What was he so eager to show me? He slowed to a creep as we neared the lighthouse—going into a crouch and placing his finger on his lips to warn me. I nodded and followed his movements. We approached a grouping of rocks, and that was when I heard it—the barks and the wails. My eyes filled; the cries were sad and beautiful all at once.

We passed the grouping and continued to draw nearer to the sound. When we’d walked a few minutes more, Evan stopped beside another rock formation.

“Do you see them?” He raised his arm in my line of vision and pointed toward the rocks about ten feet ahead. As I stared off the point of his finger, my jaw dropped. A group of seals crowded on the rocks, surrounding the largest, who was magnificent in size. Clearly the leader, his voice was the loudest. The others showed him deference and harmonized with his call.

“Why are they here?” I asked.

Evan shrugged, dropped to his knees, and sat back on his heels. Watching him, I realized this was not the first time he witnessed this scene.

“They appear every year on the same day.” He didn’t take his eyes off the seals. “Soon, they’ll dive in the sea.”

“How long have you been coming here?”

He shrugged and kept his eyes on the seals. “I was about fourteen when I first saw them. I was riding my bike past the lighthouse, delivering papers, when I heard their strange call. I sat and watched them until they left. I rode by here every morning, but it wasn’t until February 9th of the following year that they returned.”

“Are you sure?” My chest started to feel heavy. I wondered if Evan could sense my growing dread. Was this my family? Was David among them? Did Evan know?

Evan nodded. “I had that paper route until I graduated from high school this past June. Every year, they were here on February 9th.”

“My birthday.”

“As I got more into oceanography and began to study the habits of the local fauna, I learned how unusual this behavior is. Seals do not hold rituals on rocks for one morning, on the same day, every year.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked at the seals. I noticed the largest one was staring at me. Did his expression look human?

Evan touched my arm. “Meara, are you okay?”

“Sure…why?” I couldn’t take my eyes off the seal.

“You seem quiet. Is something wrong?”

I shook my head. It couldn’t be. He couldn’t be. Was it possible?

“Meara, talk to me,” Evan persisted.

I sighed. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Why don’t you try me?” Evan turned and put his arm around my shoulder. He lifted my chin and kissed me. His lips were cold, but his nose was colder.

I could tell him. I could trust him. He came out in the cold to show me this. I only hoped he wouldn’t get upset that I didn’t tell him sooner. I hung my head and whispered, so quietly he had to lean closer to hear me. “I know who I am, Evan. I know what I am.”

“And,” he said patiently, as if talking to a child. “What are you?”

I pointed at the group, singling out the leader. With an edge of desperation in my voice, I choked out. “Evan, that’s David.”

In the center of the pack, where the largest seal had been, stood my father, wearing an anxious expression. His leather jacket hung open to reveal a blue chambray shirt and blue jeans. On his feet were worn work boots. Where did he get clothes?

He nodded at Evan. Evan nodded back. I looked between Evan and David. What was going on?

“You knew?” I couldn’t disguise the surprise from my voice. Evan blushed.

“I had a hunch,” Evan admitted. “But I didn’t have proof.”

I thought back to Christmas, when I gave him the books. He’d promised to tell me what he thought when he had more information. “When were you going to tell me?”

“Today.” He looked uncomfortable. “That’s why I brought you here.”

I stared at him. I didn’t know what to say. Then again, I hadn’t been completely honest with him either. Evan cleared his throat. “Do you think David will give you answers now?”

We both looked back at the seals. They were sitting on the rock, watching us. David walked toward us. He approached with caution, as if he was afraid we might bolt. That was wise. I would flee if that were an option, if it made any difference.

“I think,” I said to Evan, not taking my eyes off my father. “That we’re best off asking David.”

Once David reached us, he pulled me into a bear hug. His jacket was soft, and his shirt damp. His skin was sweetly scented with brine. I breathed deeply and felt the sudden urge to dive into the ocean. But that was crazy. It had to be freezing cold. I’d probably die within minutes.

David kissed my cheek. “We just got home a few hours ago.”

“Where’s Mom?”

“Asleep, I imagine.”

Were they staying at my grandparents’ house? “I thought Mom’s room was empty when I went by.”

“It is.” David paused. “Your mom’s at our apartment in Halifax.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know what to ask or say. I stared at my shoes, then glanced between Evan and David.

David held out his hand to Evan. “Evan.”

“David.” Evan shook David’s hand firmly.

My father turned back to me. His eyes crinkled at the corners as his words lilted. Could he control his accent? “I suppose you want some answers?”

When I nodded, he said, “Then, you’ll get them, but first, let’s go warm up. I could use a mug of coffee.”

I looked back at the other seals. They watched us cautiously. “What about them?”

David turned and nodded to the group. One by one, they dove into the sea. “They’ll be fine. This weather doesn’t bother us.”

“But you just said…”

“Warming up is for your sake. You’re turning blue, you know, and the coffee, well, that’s a weakness of mine.”

“Oh.”

“Evan,” David said. “Can you drop us off at the house?”

“Uh, sure.” Evan sounded disappointed. I was sure he thought that David would let him listen in too. I was relieved. I was going to learn more about who, or what, I was and, as much as I loved Evan, I wasn’t ready to share that.

Evan dropped us off in front of my grandparents’ house. David got out and went to stand on the porch. To give us privacy, I think.

“Thank you for taking me,” I said. I suddenly felt shy, like I was doing something wrong, but I wasn’t, was I? Was it wrong to want to discover what I was alone?

“Will you call me later?”

“Of course,” I said. At least he didn’t make me promise to tell him everything. Katie would have.

“I love you.” His lips lingered on mine briefly before he opened my car door, and the cold bit my skin.

“I love you, too.” I closed the door but didn’t look back at him. Running up the stairs, I let David into the house. I smelled the coffee brewing before I even saw the lights on in the kitchen.

“They’re awake,” I whispered to David. I hung my coat, and he closed the door behind us.

“It’s okay,” he said. “We can talk in your room.”

My grandmother ran into the hallway, looking worried. “Where were you, Meara? I was so worried…” She broke off as she noticed David. She took a step back. “David! Where’s Sharon? Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine, Mary. Everything is fine. When I left Sharon, she was sleeping. I thought it would be nice to surprise Meara on her birthday.” He smiled down at me. “I plan to take her back to the apartment to see her mother.”

“But where have you been?” My grandmother glanced at me. Her voice was weak, and she looked confused.

“She’s been here, of course, sleeping.” David’s voice deepened. I hadn’t noticed its musical quality before. I blinked and shook my head.

“Oh…of course.” Grandma’s brow smoothed, and her eyes lit up. “What a lovely idea to surprise Sharon! And this will be the first birthday Meara spends with both parents. How wonderful!”

She clapped her hands together and ushered us into the kitchen. “Come have some hot chocolate and coffee before you head out.”

I followed my grandmother into the kitchen, but the last thing I wanted was to sit and visit. I wanted answers, and I wanted them before David changed his mind.

I looked back at David. “We won’t stay long,” he mouthed. “Don’t worry.”

I was surprised that the table was empty. “Where’s Grandpa?”