Point of No Return (40 page)

“Good,” he piped up. Theodore was his full name, after my dad, but we called him Teddy. His hair was golden blond, his angelic looks a contradiction to his mischievous ways. “Dad got us doughnuts.”

“He did?” I said, glancing up at Kade, who’d followed Teddy through the door. “Did he bring me any?”

“Here you go,” my oldest said, handing me a paper bag. My hands were full, so Blane took it and set it aside.

“Kane, you want to meet your new sister?” I asked as he moved closer, eyeing the pink bundle in my arms a little skeptically. Kane was the spitting image of his father, right down to the unruly lock of hair that always fell in his eyes. Though he was only six, he’d been born with an old soul, it seemed, always the one to observe and take measure of things before committing himself.

“Boys, meet the newest member of the family,” I said, pulling the blanket aside a little so they could see her face. “Lana.” They both peered down at her.

“That’s kind of a weird name,” Kane said.

“It was your grandmother’s name,” I said, glancing at Kade. “She died a long time ago, but I think she would’ve liked your sister.”

Lana opened her eyes, blinking at the two little faces staring down at her. Then she stuck her tiny fist in her mouth.

“She’s kinda red,” Teddy said.

I laughed. “You were, too, when you were this small.”

“Glad you could make it,” Kade said to Blane, holding out his hand. They shook, which I always thought was a strange way to greet each other rather than with a hug, but I knew the reasons behind Kade’s preference, so I stayed silent.

“Wouldn’t have missed it,” Blane replied.

“I’ll trade you,” Kade said to me, brandishing a Starbucks coffee.

“You read my mind,” I said, handing him Lana and taking the coffee. I curved an arm around Teddy, who cuddled at my side, thumb in his mouth. Kade had been trying to get him to stop, but he was only three, so I just shushed Kade.

“Uncle Blane, when are we going to the farm?” Kane asked, walking over to him. It was what they called Blane’s house on Nantucket.

“Soon,” Blane said, ruffling the boy’s hair. “Summer’s almost here.”

“Oh my! Let me see her!”

We all turned as Mona entered the room with a flurry, followed by a grinning Gerard. Kade had no choice but to hand Lana over.

“It’s about time we had a little girl in the family!” Mona crooned. “Kathleen, I saw the cutest little pink shoes in the store the other day—I just had to get them. Then she needed a new outfit to wear them with, of course, so I added two new dresses to her wardrobe. Wait until you see them, you’ll just die, they’re so sweet.”

I grinned.

“Why do I think Lana’s going to be the most spoiled member of this family?” Kade mused, though his mouth was tipped up in a half smile.

Blane laughed. “I don’t think you’d be able to stop her,” he said to Kade.

“Oh, you boys hush,” Mona admonished. “Like you’re ones to talk. I spoiled you both rotten and I intend to do the same to this one.”

Everyone stayed for a while, passing Lana around, and I think Gerard was already making plans to build a barn to house a pony by the time they left. After a final round of kisses and hugs and promises to be good, Teddy and Kane went with them.

“I’d better bug out, too,” Blane said.

“Are you heading back to DC?” I asked.

He nodded. “I’ll fly out this evening, but I’ll be back in a few weeks, once the session ends.”

Bending over me, he kissed Lana’s forehead, then my cheek. “Bye, Kat.” He crossed to Kade and gave him a one-armed hug, slapping him on the back. “Congratulations. She’s amazing. You’re a lucky man.”

“Don’t I know it,” Kade said, and I was glad to see him give Blane a squeeze back before pulling away. “We’ll see you soon.”

Blane left and it was just me, Kade, and Lana.

“Chance and Lucy came by earlier,” I said. “They brought those.” I motioned with my head to another floral arrangement that stood next to Blane’s.

“Sorry I missed them,” Kade said evenly.

I rolled my eyes. Chance and Kade would never be best buddies, but they’d come to an unspoken truce over the years.

Alisha and Lewis came by shortly after that, then Clarice and Jack, and by the time the day was over, my room looked like a flower shop.

I was tired when we handed Lana over to the nurses and I thought Kade was going to leave, but he ended up sliding into bed beside me.

“This is much better,” I said with a sigh, cuddling against his chest as his arm wrapped around my shoulders.

“Thought I’d stay tonight,” he said. “I don’t sleep well with you gone anyway and Mona offered to keep the boys.”

“I’m glad,” I said. “I missed you.”

“Brought you something,” he said.

I glanced up at him. “I told you not to do that.” Kade had given me expensive jewelry when each of the boys was born, which was really sweet, but I didn’t need more jewelry.

“You’ll like this,” he said. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out my locket that he’d given me so long ago. I hadn’t worn it to the hospital since they made you take off all your jewelry. He opened it and handed it to me.

“Oh, Kade,” I breathed, tears sparking in my eyes. My parents’ photo had been moved to the left side and the right side of the locket now held a photo of just Kade and me. “Thank you,” I said, leaning up to kiss him. “It’s perfect.”

He fastened it around my neck and held me as I drifted off to sleep.

Seven Months Later

“Don’t run!” I called out, but I might as well have saved my breath as Kane and Teddy ran through the hallway of Blane’s home, chasing a remote-controlled car of some sort that he’d bought them. I adjusted Lana on my hip and straightened the little red bow in her hair. “Your brothers are crazy,” I said to her. She grinned toothlessly at me as though she understood.

I headed back to the library, where Kade and Blane were busy picking up the discarded wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons that littered the floor.

“They tore through that pretty fast,” Blane said with a grin.

“Well, you shouldn’t have bought them so much,” I chastised him. “And the toy drum set is
so
staying here.”

“Yeah, that was just cruel, brother,” Kade added, grimacing. Blane just laughed.

The doorbell rang. “That must be Chance and Lucy,” I said, handing Lana to Kade. “I’ll get it.”

Christmas dinner had become less formal with little kids running around the house, though we still dressed up. Mona went all out with the candles and table linens, but the boys got heavy-duty plastic cups rather than crystal.

“Dinner’s about ready,” Gerard said as I passed by. He was uncorking a bottle of wine to decant it.

“Smells wonderful,” I enthused. Vivian was helping Mona with the finishing touches in the kitchen.

Sure enough, Chance and Lucy were at the door, along with Billy and their other son, Jared, who was slightly younger than Kane.

“Merry Christmas!” I greeted them, hugging them all. The boys squirmed, but I squeezed them anyway.

“Merry Christmas, Strawbs,” Chance said, kissing my cheek. “We brought a bottle of Blane’s favorite scotch.”

“That’s nice. He’ll like that,” I said, taking it from him. “Come in! Come in! It’s nearly time for dinner. I thought you were never going to get here.”

“The snow gave us some trouble,” Chance said, taking Lucy’s coat before removing his own. I hung them in the closet nearby. “Be careful going home. The roads are a little slick and they’re expecting more snow tonight.”

I shook my head, Lucy and I sharing a grin. “Always the cop,” I sighed.

“Hey, I’m just trying to look out for you,” Chance protested.

“Come on,” I said. “I’m sure Lucy needs a glass of wine.” I started down the hall, but just then the doorbell rang again.

I motioned for Chance and Lucy to keep going. “Go ahead to the den. I’ll get it.”

They continued down the hallway while I turned back and opened the door. I smiled, leaning forward to hug the woman standing in the doorway. She never let me hug her for very long, but I always tried anyway.

“Merry Christmas!” I said to Branna. “I’m so glad your flight wasn’t delayed any longer.” Branna lived in Annapolis, Maryland, and the weather had caused her arrival to be later than she’d planned.

“Branna, glad you could make it,” Kade said, suddenly appearing over my shoulder. “I’ll take your coat.”

Branna’s face softened when she saw Kade and she shrugged out of her black overcoat, revealing a red silk dress. I was suddenly glad I’d worn my black dress with gold threads shot through it rather than the red dress I’d contemplated. Kade gave her a hug, brushing a kiss to her cheek.

“Merry Christmas,” she said with a smile. “I brought this.” She handed me a box of gourmet chocolates.

“Thank you,” I said, passing them to Kade. “Blane’s in the den and I could use a cocktail.” I hooked my arm through Branna’s, leading her down the hallway to the library. We were exactly the same height, even with our heels on.

I opened the door and saw Blane standing next to the fire with Lana on his hip, adjusting the little velvet dress she wore while she sucked happily on her fist.

“Look who’s finally arrived,” I said.

Blane glanced up and smiled when he caught sight of Branna. “It’s about time,” he said, coming forward. He kissed her lightly on the lips. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” Branna replied. She reached out to grasp Lana’s tights-encased toes. “Hello, little one,” she said. Lana grinned, bouncing in Blane’s arms.

A crash sounded from somewhere upstairs. “Oh no,” I said, glancing at Kade. “The boys.”

“I’m on it,” he said, heading for the door.

“Can you please actually get after them this time?” I called out to him.

Kade looked innocently at me. “Trust me,” he said. “I’ll put the fear of God in them.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, sure you will.”

Lana started fussing and I glanced at the clock. “I’d better feed her before dinner if I want to eat, too,” I said, reaching to take her from Blane. “Please excuse me.”

Dinner was much better than the first time we’d done this, a year after Kade and I had married. That first Christmas, Blane had pleaded too much work to be able to get away from DC, and since he’d only held the office for three months, I’d stifled the protests I’d wanted to make.

The next year, things had been awkward, and it had taken a while for Blane to warm up to Kane, who’d been a little over six months old at the time. He’d been a colicky baby and I’d spent Christmas night pacing in the library, holding him as he cried nonstop. Kade had been out of town on business and though he’d be flying in that night, he hadn’t yet arrived and I’d been exhausted. I was nearly in tears as I paced and tried to comfort Kane, feeling helpless and frustrated at the same time.

“Let me have him,” Blane had said, startling me. I hadn’t even heard him come in the room over Kane’s fussing.

I’d hesitated, but had been too desperate for a respite not to do as he asked. I handed over my squalling baby boy, who seemed very small against Blane’s bulk.

“Go take a break,” Blane had told me. “He’ll be fine.”

“Thank you,” I’d murmured before leaving the room. I’d breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately felt guilty for needing to get away from my child.

Guilt at Blane having to mess with a fussy baby had me returning inside of fifteen minutes, only to stare in stunned amazement at the scene in the library. Blane stood in front of the fire, Kane perched against his shoulder, sound asleep. Blane soothingly rubbed Kane’s back.

Seeing the two of them had brought tears to my eyes, and that moment had been a turning point for Blane’s relationship with Kane. They had a special bond. Though Kane looked just like Kade, his demeanor and personality were reminiscent of Blane, something that had become more apparent as the years passed.

Branna had joined us for the first time last year. It seemed whatever animosity Branna used to have toward me had evaporated into a careful politeness that grew more easy and comfortable. Likewise, I found my antipathy toward her had faded over time. From what I could gather, she and Blane had been casually together for a while now. Sometimes I wondered if they’d marry, but had never thought it my place to bring it up with either of them.