When Ivy opened the door to the apartment, she saw that June’s mother had joined Shelly and June in the living room. The attractive woman looked a little older than Ivy. She wore a lovely pastel floral sundress and with her wavy brown hair and green eyes, she clearly favored the rest of the family gathered here.
More than ever, Ivy was noticing the physical resemblance, yet they needed to determine how they were related. Maybe it was through her grandfather, Ivy suddenly thought. It might even make sense that he would have given away the necklace. She could only imagine how painful it would have been to keep it, especially given the circumstances of Pilar’s death.
June gestured to the woman with her. “This is my mother, April. I told her what I’ve shared with you.”
“I’m so happy to meet you,” Ivy said. She leaned the sketch she had picked up on the way here against the wall before introducing Carlotta and Aunt Maya. While they talked, she made her way into the kitchen and put on coffee for the small group.
Shelly began first, “After our baby was born, my husband and I decided to have our DNA analyzed to see if we might have genetic issues to watch for in Daisy. What we didn’t expect was to find a relative we didn’t know anything about. And we can’t figure out how we might be related.”
Ivy watched June’s mother, who seemed nervous. Surely this was difficult for her, too. Ivy was glad her daughter was with her.
June took her mother’s hand. “Mom asked me to share our side of the story with you. She was adopted, but it was a closed adoption. This discovery has been quite emotional for her. I told her a little bit just now.”
“I appreciate your understanding,” April said, placing a slender hand over her heart. “Of all days, this is certainly a surprise. I didn’t even know my daughter had done a DNA search.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” June said. “But I thought another dead end would be upsetting to you.”
April acknowledged that with a slight nod. “When I was younger, I was very curious about my parents and my ancestry, but I’ve gone so long without answers that I’d given up hope. You might wonder why it mattered to me because I had a very happy childhood. But I always felt there was a missing connection. I suppose I wanted to know why I was given away.” She hesitated, drawing in a long breath. “However, I was confident that I could understand my birth mother’s decision in retrospect. Basically, I sought to understand my personal history.”
June spoke up again. “My mother taught history, so she has a natural curiosity about the past.”
“June tells me you’re having a family reunion,” April said. “We don’t mean to crash the party. We’re simply curious, and I assure you, we want nothing from you.”
Ivy liked this woman immediately. April had an innate grace that was evident in her daughter as well. Even if they weren’t in this situation, the two women were ones she might be friends with. As the coffee gurgled to completion, she poured the steaming brew for those who wanted it.
Shelly went on, “There’s the DNA, but there’s more.” She nodded toward Ivy.
“I found this sketch a few days ago.” Ivy lifted the sketch and turned it around. “And yesterday, we learned this is our aunt, Pilar. The middle sister to my mother and aunt. If you’re related to us, then you’re probably related to her, too.”
April leaned forward, staring at the sketch.
Ivy noticed that Carlotta and Maya were also watching April. Ivy held up the gold necklace. “This necklace that June showed us looks like the one Pilar is wearing.”
Aunt Maya turned to April. “Our sister’s boyfriend, Flavio, gave her the necklace. He was also a talented artist, as you can see.”
April studied the sketch. Finally, she nodded. “It looks quite similar.”
“Mom is also an artist,” June said. “She makes beautiful pottery.”
“It’s just a hobby,” April said, still staring at the sketch. She was clearly moved. A few moments later, she opened her purse and brought out a smaller coin purse. From that, she withdrew a handkerchief, cupping it in her hands as if it was her greatest treasure in the world. “What was Pilar’s last name?”
Carlotta smiled. “Our family name is Reina.”
“P.R.,” April whispered. Silent tears welled in her eyes. She held out a delicate, white linen handkerchief that was folded into quarters.
Carlotta took the lace-trimmed square of fabric from her. She looked at it with vague recognition and showed it to her sister. “We used to make ones quite similar to this.”
Motioning to her, April said, “Unfold it.”
As Carlotta opened the old handkerchief, surprise filled Maya’s face. She touched the embroidered stitches with reverence. “I remember this.”
Ivy looked over their shoulders at the monogram. “P.R. Pilar Reina?”
Tears glistened in Maya’s eyes. “Pilar never had the patience for embroidery, so I helped her finish it. See, these small stitches are mine, and the longer ones are hers. She was always in a hurry to go outside and play.” When Maya looked up, a flash of understanding swept across her face.
Ivy felt it, too. “Let’s look at the birth certificate,” she said quickly, holding out her hand. She hardly dared to hope, even though all signs pointed to this new truth.
June handed it to her, and Ivy passed it to her mother. “This is April’s. Do you recognize the birthdate?” she asked softly.
Carlotta scanned the old document and pointed to the birthdate. Her eyes widened with astonishment. “Oh, my goodness. That’s today.”
“How could that be?” Aunt Maya pressed a hand to her heart.
“There’s only one explanation,” Carlotta said, her voice quavering. She clutched her sister’s hand, and their faces were filled with wonder and joy.
Carlotta turned to the little group that leaned forward with anticipation. “April, today you celebrate your birthday. And today, we honor our sister, for this is the day she left us. At the time, she was nearly nine months pregnant.” She held a hand out to April.
April pressed her hands to her cheeks, unable to speak at the realization.
Ivy caught her breath. Was it really so?
Shelly looked between Carlotta and Ivy. “But I thought Pilar and her baby died in the accident. Does this mean what I think it does?”
“You unlocked a long-lost secret.” Ivy smiled at her mother, Aunt Maya, and April, who were embracing each other. All were crying tears of joy. “Pilar was lost, but the doctors must have managed to save her baby girl. April’s birth was the day Pilar died. So, she is truly one of us. As is June.”
Carlotta held April in her arms. “You are the daughter of our beloved sister, which makes you our precious niece. How we wish we’d known you survived.”
“I wonder if our parents knew,” Aunt Maya said.
Carlotta shook her head. “Mother never would have given you up.”
Slowly, Aunt Maya nodded. “She and Father grieved Pilar’s death so deeply. This was probably a decision made by the nuns and doctor. Back then, they often did what they thought best for the families. April, your parents might have been eagerly awaiting your birth.”
“Yes, I believe they were.”
“Our grandparents must have thought Pilar’s illegitimate baby would hurt her sister’s chance for a good match.” Aunt Maya shook her head. “The pressure from Mother’s parents is why Pilar was sent away, but Mother insisted she stay close. Here, at the inn, which at the time was known as Las Brisas del Mar and owned by Mother’s good friend.”
“Sterling wouldn’t have cared,” Carlotta said. “For us, it was love at first sight.”
“But his family might have objected,” Maya reminded her.
Stepping forward, Ivy touched April’s back. “That makes you and your daughter our cousins. Welcome to the family. We have so much history to share with you.”
April embraced her. “I’d like that so very much.” She held a hand to June. “And my daughter, June. I have another daughter who is traveling. You’ll meet May when she returns.”
Ivy watched the scene unfold before her, hardly believing what they had pieced together. “I’m so glad you had the courage to contact us. For that alone, I know you’re truly part of us. We’re quite a determined bunch.”
“Not that we haven’t made a lot of mistakes,” Shelly added with a grin.
June nodded at that. “You have no idea how much we share that trait.”
As Ivy pieced together the details to her satisfaction, she decided the only thing that remained was how to tell the rest of the family. She hoped the family would accept April and June, especially Diana and her brother. Turning to June and April, she asked, “Do you have plans later today?”
“We do,” June replied. “I had already planned to take my mother to lunch in Summer Beach to see an old friend, Ginger Delavie. This is an incredible bonus that I couldn’t have even imagined.” She clasped her mother’s hand.
Carlotta’s face brightened at the mention of Ginger. “What a small world. Ginger and I have been friends for many years. She’s treasured here in Summer Beach. If you’d like, please invite her to our luau tonight on my behalf. She’s always welcome here.”
“You’ll have a chance to meet everyone at once,” Ivy said, her heart filled with happiness for June and her mother. “We’d love for you to join us.”
April’s eyes sparkled. “We’d like that very much. We’re meeting Ginger at the Coral Cottage, so if she’s available, we’ll bring her to the luau with us. She’ll be just as surprised as we are.”
“Everyone will be,” Ivy said. “We’ll say a few words and introduce you this evening. Shelly’s husband has planned a special menu, and if you’d like to dress for the luau, please do.”
“This sounds so exciting,” June said.
Ivy thought so, too. It would be an event to remember. In a good way, she hoped.