The luckiest

Chapter 10

  The days at work drift from one to the other and work is as exciting as a Josh Groban concert. Soon we’re getting ready for Easter, which is a big deal in both the families. Mondays and Tuesdays are the days Mom has the girls. She is enjoying every minute of it and soon has Holly and David asking if she wants Liam as well. The days we have Mrs Cork, I meet Charlie for lunch or I run errands. Its such a relief to be able to get things done. The girls are flourishing under Mrs Cork’s care and we’ve even hired someone to help with cleaning while she’s there. Life has started to find a balance and I’m grateful for it all. So, when I get a call from Emma one Friday afternoon, I don’t hesitate to answer. 

 “Hi Emma.” 

“Hi Ginny. How are you all?” 

“We’re well and you?” 

“Good, thanks. Just a bit stressed. Wedding planning and all.” I feel terrible. I haven’t once asked her how things have been going on that front. My Mom seems to be pretty involved, which was a pleasant surprise.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you how that was. Sorry if I haven’t.” 

“Its OK. I wanted to ask you a favour.” 

“Uh, sure.” 

“I wanted to know if I could have my bridal shower at your place.” 

“Aren’t your bridesmaids supposed to plan that?” 

“Well, you know Amy is my maid of honour and I know how you feel about her. Also, she’s terrible at planning, with her career really having taken off lately.” Not that I needed reminding. Amy was Emma’s best friend and Charlie’s ex and a model. 

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. When are you planning on having it?” 

“Two weeks before the wedding. May 21st.” 

“That’s fine. We could meet closer to the time so you can let me know what I need to do from my side.” 

“Thanks Ginny. I appreciate it.” We hang up and I wonder why she’s chosen our place. I make a mental note to ask Charlie later that evening. 

“She’s clearly trying to reach out to you.” I shrug at Charlie’s observation. He always tries to see the best in Emma and I have been trying my very best to do the same. 

“I’m just glad you aren’t Jamie’s best man.” I note with relief. I would literally have panicked with him and Amy having to partner up. 

“Yeah. Its great how he and Connor have bonded though.” 

“Its almost as if he’s taken your cousin under his wing.” We both laugh. Connor is nearly ten years younger than Jamie, but they’ve been spending a lot of time together since they met when Charlie and I were still engaged. 

“Hey, have you given any thoughts to the girls’ birthday in August?” he asks. 

“Not really. I was thinking of just having the family around for lunch. What do you think?” 

“Sounds good.” 

“Your birthday isn’t long after. What do you say we make use of the lake house?” 

“I like that idea. We could invite David, Holly, Jamie and Emma?” I don’t cringe at the idea, but I don’t agree just yet. Baby steps with Emma. 

“Let’s decide closer to the time.” 

We’re at my parents’ parish in CE for Easter Sunday mass and will head to David and Holly’s for lunch after. Charlie’s parents have gone to family in Augusta for the long weekend. Jamie and Emma have taken a time out from Maine and headed to Boston to visit friends. Holly is glowing at almost five months and they’ve turned lunch into a gender-reveal party. The girls are fussing all through mass and my poor Mom spends most of the service in the parents room. 

As we ready to leave the church, we’re stopped by a host of my Mom’s friends who are completely taken with the twins. I feel Charlie’s hand tighten around my waist and turn to face him. He is looking just past me and I follow his gaze. My heart leaps to my throat and I want to run. Cane spots us and without really stopping, winks his eye at me and grins. I grasp Charlie’s wrist and notice him clenching his fist. 

“Charlie, favourite brother-in-law!” David saves the day. 

Charlie quickly recovers, but still looks distracted, “Your only brother-in-law.” 

“Drive along? I have to collect the cake from the bakery for my little guy’s party.” 

I scoff at David’s guess, “Wishful thinking brother.” 

“Ginny, could you give Holly and Liam a ride?" 

“Sure. See you later.” I breathe a sigh of relief, but notice that Charlie turns to see where I am a couple of times. I blow him a kiss, but he doesn’t reciprocate. Uh-oh. This is going to be a conversation for later. 

Holly and I are setting up the backyard and she is talking about baby names. I try very hard to concentrate, but find myself thinking of ways to calm Charlie down when he gets back. I know his mind will be working overtime. Hopefully, David has spoken to him. Then again, I might end up getting a tongue lashing from him too. 

“Ginny!” Holly urges me. 

“Sorry. What’s wrong?” 

“I asked if you would mind if we named the baby Ginny if it’s a girl.” 

My heart just swells with pride, “Really?” 

“Yes, really! You’re not just my almost sister-in-law; you’re my best friend.” I hug her and wish my relationship with Emma were this simple and pure. I am completely floored by the honour and now hold thumbs it’s a girl! 

“What if it’s a boy? Have you guys decided?” 

“Well, we wanted to use the name we had picked out for our first baby, but it somehow doesn’t seem right. So, we settled on my Dad’s name. Sean James.” 

“That’s lovely. I assume James is for Jamie.” 

“Yes, you assume correctly.” I smile thoughtfully, thinking how far we’ve all come since Holly came back to CE. I thank God for her coming back to David. 

“So, Holly Forbes. This is baby number two and you’re still dodging the bullet. What’s up with that?” 

“Honestly?” I nod, eager to hear her reasoning. 

“Well, I want everything to be settled before we get married. Hope, the new baby is settled in and when you have your next baby. So you can fit into a maid of honour gown!” Its Holly’s turn to laugh. 

I can’t lie; it has come to thought a few times. Especially with our lives having been made a bit easier. “No comment.” I lie. 

Just then, my parents arrive along with Holly’s Mom. “Oh, hey everyone.” I get up to say hello properly. 

My Dad seems less than impressed with me. I kiss him on the cheek and he doesn’t say much else than a stern, “Hello Ginnifer.” 

That’s where Charlie gets it. I look to my Mom, who shrugs. Dad immediately envelopes Holly into a hug and I know he’s pissed at me. 

“Carol, hi. How’ve you been?” 

“Ah Ginny, great and you? How is CE Middle treating you?” 

“Its great. I can’t lie; I don’t think I would cope full day, but its good. Holly mentioned you’ve met someone?” 

She beams, “Yes. A guy I actually went to high school with in Montpelier.” 

“What? That’s crazy. How did you reconnect?” 

“Facebook.” She grimaces. 

“What? Get out!” I laugh. 

“Yes. Holly signed me up and I reconnected through a page for my old high school. He lives in Portland, actually.”

 “So cool.” 

“Early days, but its great.” 

The girls are in the sand pit, my Mom along with them. I see my Dad holding Liam and I head over to him. 

“Daddy?” 

“Ginnifer.” He doesn’t look up at me. 

“Daddy. What’s wrong?” 

“Ginny, stay away from that boy. You hear me?” I know exactly whom he’s speaking of and I wonder who’s told him. 

“What do you think is going on?” 

“Tone, young lady.” 

“Dad, I’m not a child and nothing is going on with Cane.” 

“So you know who I’m talking about?” 

“You never answered me.” 

“Ginny, he’s never been right for you and Charlie is a good man. Don’t mess it up.” 

I kiss him on the cheek, “Love you, Dad.” 

By the time David and Charlie arrive, we’re all waiting with baited breath. I hand Charlie a beer as he sits down next to me and kiss him. He smiles at me, visibly calmer. David, however looks at me like I am wearing the scarlet letter. I roll my eyes in response. 

“OK.” David announces, “First, Happy Easter and secondly, who wants some cake?” Holly and David hold the knife above the vanilla frosted cake and cut into it, looking at one another. He whispers something in her ear and she smiles adoringly at him. I get the baby feels when I remember how my husband handled me with even more love and care then, than he usually did. 

“Snap out of it!” I whisper to myself. 

“Huh?” Charlie looks confused. 

“Nothing.” And I continue watching for my brother and Holly’s reaction. 

“Sorry Ginny!” Holly calls out and they reveal the blue slice of cake. 

“That baker’s lying or he can’t read!” I yell, laughing. 

My Dad is pumping David’s hand, like only a proud Irish father could and Charlie is up, congratulating them too. My Mom and Carol are hugging Holly, who looks pleased. 

“Next time, babe.” David kisses her. 

“I’m just happy he’s healthy.” She smiles. 

I hug both her and David and notice he isn’t too pissed at me anymore, but he does issue me a warning, “Steer clear. You understand?” 

“Geeze David. You’re worse than Dad.” I am slightly annoyed and decide to talk to Charlie while we can grab a minute or two alone. 

“What’s wrong?” he asks. 

“Charlie, don’t play coy with me.” 

“Look, your Dad overheard Cane say something in the church yard just before he made that pass at you.” 

“That pass?” I ask, confused. 

“Ginny, that was a pass and in front of me.” 

“It didn’t mean anything to me.” 

“But it was a pissing contest for me. He’s got balls to do that and he’s lucky he never got his ass handed to him and yes, I spoke to your brother.” 

“Cane means nothing to me. I’ll speak to him.” 

“No!” Charlie yells it. 

“Charlie!” I say in a strained whisper. 

He shakes his head, “I don’t want you to speak to him. I don’t want you telling him he upsets me. I’m your husband, Ginny. I need to make sure he understands that.” 

“What will you do?” 

“Nothing yet, but I will have my moment with him.” 

We say nothing more about it and I try to focus on the day at hand. 

A few weeks have passed and I need to meet with Emma about her party. I actually feel compelled to offer to host the event as no bride should have to do it herself. 

“Ginny, it would mean a lot.” Her response is genuine and I smile at her, hoping it’s the start of a better rapport between us. 

“Have your invitations been sent out?” 

“Uh, yes, Amy’s managed that.” 

“Great. How many guests have confirmed?” 

She looks at her planner, “Twenty-five.” 

“So, do you need me to plan the hen night as well?” 

“Well, it’s just a dinner with the ladies after. If you don’t mind booking somewhere fun?” 

“Sure. Sounds easy enough.” 

“Thank you, Ginny.” 

“Its OK, really. You’re joining the family.” 

She smiles apologetically, “I know I haven’t been family enough to you these last two years and I’m sorry.” I nearly choke on my tea. “Really, I’ve been jealous of how easily you bonded with my brother and my parents. I’ve always been the proverbial princess.” She laughs sardonically at her statement. 

“Its OK, really.” I say, if only to spare her from her feelings. 

“No, Ginny. It was never OK. Charlie really had a go at me a few times. I actually think he’s had his quota of tantrums from me.” 

I laugh at what a saint my husband is, considering all the tantrums he deals with. “Look, would you like to meet next week again? For lunch. To check on plans of course.” She seems almost shy. 

“Uh, yeah. Let me know where and when.” It feels as if Emma’s just asked me on a date. I smile at her, my hopes for a real relationship with her a possibility. 

The girls are crawling about on the ground with me when Charlie gets home on the Friday evening. He laughs at what must be a funny sight, “Enjoying yourself, Mrs King?” 

I roll my eyes at him, “I don’t mind being on my knees.” 

He looks shocked and then gives me a boyish grin, “I could get used to that.” 

“Dinner’s in the warmer.” 

“Nice. What are we having?” 

“Chicken breasts with blue cheese sauce and greens.” 

“Great. I’ll open a bottle of white.” 

“Special occasion?” 

“Nah, just need a good glass of wine after today.” 

“Everything OK at work?” 

He shrugs, “Yeah. Just the lunch rush has really become crazy these last few days.” 

“Weather’s nicer. Remember last summer?” 

He throws his head back, “Oh my God, do I remember it? It was epic. Good for business, but heck, even your Dad had to come back in to help.” 

“Why don’t you ask David and Jamie to help you out this summer. They know their way around the place.” 

“Jamie will be on his honeymoon in June and David is now called the deck-king in CE. He was telling me he has at least five confirmed contracts for extended outdoor areas in the next month.” 

“Hold on a minute! I’m on holiday from mid-June to September.” It suddenly hits me, “I work at a middle school!” 

Charlie laughs, “Aren’t you lucky?” 

“Yeah and now I get to make a second salary!” 

He laughs again, “Its called a family business; you're help would be free of charge.” 

Our evenings together have become idyllic, besides the odd bout of teething amongst the twins; we’ve got things handled in the King household. That’s why, when I receive a text from a private number again, it throws me off.

 *Looking good, Ginny.* 

I start to think it could be Cane, but why wouldn’t he just say it was him? I ignore it and try to get on with things. 

Charlie however, picks up that something is off and it has to be on the day of Emma’ party. 

“Ginny?” 

“Yes?” We’re setting up the backyard in a Mad Hatter tea party. Holly is setting the table with china while I am hoisting lanterns. 

“What’s going on?” 

“I don’t want to seem paranoid, but I think someone is having a bit of fun with me.” 

“What makes you say that?” I show him the texts. 

He groans, “If this is Ashby, he’s a dead man.” 

Just then, the flower order arrives and I hop down from the stepladder. I look carefully at the arrangement and note it isn’t what I’ve ordered. In fact, its only one bunch and its hydrangeas. “These are wrong.” I tell the delivery guy. 

“I’m sorry Ma’am. I just do the deliveries. Our office number is on the card. You can speak with Ruby. She’s the owner.” 

Charlie is behind me and before I can look at the card, he has it, “I’ll call. You relax.” 

One look at his face and I know something has pissed him off. “f**k!” he yells. 

“Charlie!” I admonish him.  Holly even stops what she is doing. 

“Where does Cane Ashby live?” He is seething.

“Wait, what?” He shoves the card at me. Its simply put, but enough to have been the cherry on top for Charlie: *Ginny, you never answered my texts. Could we meet at Rudy’s again?* 

“f*****g asshole! Ginny, I am going to sort this out once and for all. Its ridiculous.” 

“Firstly, we never met at Rudy’s. It was a chance run-in and like I showed you, its an unknown number.” 

“Still. This just isn’t appropriate.” 

“Charlie, you’re right. You’re my husband though and I don’t care what he thinks is happening between him and me.”

 “Ginny, just forget it. I’ll ask your Dad or brothers for his address.” 

With that he leaves for Jamie’s party. I don’t stop him and realise this is a serious issue for him. I resign myself to texting Cane. *We need to talk.* 

I don’t receive anything back and try to focus on the day ahead  .