“Aloha,” Ivy said, greeting family members arriving for the luau on the patio. Everyone had risen to the occasion, decked out in all manner of Hawaiian outfits. Bennett’s sister and her husband were there with their son Logan. The little boy beamed at her, and she told him how much she liked his aloha shirt.
“There’s plenty of food,” she added, greeting Kendra and Dave. “Help yourselves.”
“My brother said he’s cooking tonight,” Kendra said with an arched eyebrow.
Ivy laughed at her sister-in-law’s expression of mock horror. “Under Mitch’s tutelage, of course. But Bennett has become a pretty good cook, too.”
“Sure smells good,” Dave said.
“And the decorations are lovely,” Kendra said, steering her hungry son toward the food.
Ivy was pleased with the luau decorations that Poppy and her cousins had organized. Bamboo tiki torches and paper lanterns created a soft glow on this balmy evening. Tropical red ginger flowers and leaves decorated the tables, which were trimmed with raffia skirts that rustled in the soft ocean breeze. Music from local Hawaiian artists filled the air, and Ivy hummed to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of Over the Rainbow.
While chatting with family members, Ivy kept an eye out for June and her mother, who would be arriving soon.
The party was turning out even better than she had imagined. Everyone had gotten in the mood with colorful shirts and sarongs. Her mother and Aunt Maya were wearing long cotton muumuu dresses with island prints they’d found at a shop in the village. Ivy wore a pikake-print sundress with one of the fragrant leis that Imani had provided for them. The scent was heavenly.
She glanced at the time. When June and her mother arrived, Ivy would begin the important announcement. Her nerves were on edge, and she was unsure if everyone would accept them as part of the family. What if someone questioned their right to be there? If anyone did, it would be Diana, Ivy imagined. She didn’t know if Aunt Maya planned to tell her children or not.
One thing was certain. The presence of June and April would certainly change the dynamics.
In the meantime, Ivy took a plate and filled it with appetizers—or a pupu platter, as it was called in Hawaii. She loved the grilled pineapple and pulled pork that Mitch made.
Her friend Leilani Miyake waved at her.
“What do you think of how the food turned out?” Ivy asked.
“Mitch takes direction well. This is as authentic as he can get without a full imu ceremony in the islands.”
“The guys will be glad to hear you approve.”
Leilani and her husband Roy owned the Hidden Garden nursery and had advised Mitch on the menu. The couple was from Hawaii and spent winters there with family. With their help, Mitch had created a menu featuring pulled pork, pork ribs, and chicken wings, along with coconut shrimp and poke. For the vegetarians, he had prepared vegetable skewers, grilled pineapple, fried rice balls, and plenty of mango salsa. The fruit platter was filled with tropical offerings, including dragon fruit, starfruit, papaya, guava, and mangoes. Mitch had prepped the dishes, and he and Bennett were taking turns at the grill.
Bennett winked at her. She’d told him all about the plan to introduce June and April, and he’d been supportive. “What do you think of the food?” he asked.
Ivy gestured to her plate. “This was full a few minutes ago.” She smiled, admiring her husband, who looked good in the chef jacket Mitch had supplied. “It’s all delicious. Everyone loves what you’ve done.”
“Mitch is the brains behind it,” Bennett said, grinning.
Not far from them, Poppy was managing the bar. She had coerced her brothers Rocky and Reed to help her make mai tais and POG Delight—a non-alcoholic concoction of papaya, orange, and guava juices. The pineapple wine from Maui Poppy was serving was also a refreshing favorite with many in the family.
Sipping on a juice drink, Shelly sauntered toward her wearing a vibrant sarong. “The guys are sure serving up a good dinner.”
“They seem to be a huge hit,” Ivy replied.
“That smells so good,” Aunt Maya said, joining them with her daughter Diana. She glanced at Ivy’s plate. “What do you call that?”
“Delicious,” Ivy said, grinning. As she nibbled, she explained the menu to Aunt Maya and Diana.
Maya sipped a mai tai. “This reminds me of the parties our parents used to have when I was young. They loved Hawaii, and we traveled there often.”
“Have you tried the appetizers from the pupu platter?” Shelly asked.
“Carlotta brought a few to me,” Maya replied. “Did you have all this catered?”
Shelly gestured with pride toward the grill. “My husband made everything.” Behind her, Mitch listened in, grinning.
“Aren’t you the lucky one?” Maya said. “I’ve been watching Mitch with Daisy. He’s an attentive father—and a talented chef. Carlotta and I visited Java Beach, and I must admit, the coffee was excellent. Mitch certainly passes muster in my book. Bennett, too.”
Shelly beamed, and Ivy knew she and Mitch were relieved. Even though Bennett wasn’t generally concerned with what people thought of him, he was trying to make a good impression for her sake, too.
“Are we almost ready for the big announcement?” Maya asked.
“They should be here any minute,” Ivy replied. Although she was trying to remain calm, her nerves were doing a cha-cha.
Her aunt’s expression softened. “April and June remind me so much of Pilar. I’d like to get to know them better before I leave.”
“You’ll have to return soon,” Ivy said. And this time, she meant it. She’d discovered a different side to her aunt and her side of the family.
Maya pressed a hand on Ivy’s shoulder. “I’d like that. Next time, I’m sure I can manage on my own. I’m sorry I was so difficult in the beginning.”
“I understand, and it’s completely forgotten.” She embraced her aunt. “I’m so glad we’ve reunited.”
After Maya moved on to speak to Carlotta, Shelly whispered to Ivy, “Are you nervous?”
“A little. I’m glad we have the support of Mom and Aunt Maya.” She smiled at her sister. “You look great tonight, by the way.”
Shelly gestured to her purple batik-print, wrap-around skirt that she’d paired with a tank top. “These sarongs are so easy to wear. I can also cross and wrap the ends around my neck and wear it as a dress.”
“It’s pretty, but that’s not what I mean. You look relaxed and happy. Are you feeling better?”
“A lot,” Shelly said. “I feel like every day is a little bit sunnier. There are more good days than bad days now—many more, in fact. Maybe it’s seeing everyone again, or maybe it’s the therapy and yoga.”
“Probably all of it. And you’re getting more sleep.” Ivy was glad to see the clouds of Shelly’s postpartum depression dissipating.
“Daisy has slept so soundly the last couple of nights. I hope that’s a new trend.” Shelly waggled her fingers at her across the patio. Carlotta was carrying her daughter, showing her off to the relatives, and Daisy was gurgling with laughter.
Just then, Ivy spied June and her mother by the door. Their mutual friend, Ginger Delavie, was with them. Ivy was pleased that Ginger had accompanied them for moral support. After motioning to her mother and aunt, she made her way toward June and greeted them. The three women were wearing Hawaiian dresses, and they’d received leis on the way in.
“Are you ready?” Ivy asked.
“We’re a little nervous,” June said. “Especially Mom.”
April’s face was flushed. “This is a day I thought would never come.”
“It’s going to be fine,” Ivy said. “We’ll make an announcement, and then you’re officially one of us. Get ready for a barrage of questions.”
“And hugs,” Carlotta added, joining them with Maya. “We’re a hugging sort of family.”
“This is so exciting,” Ginger whispered, clasping hands with Carlotta and April. “Imagine discovering that two of my favorite people are related. Why, I’m surprised I didn’t make the connection before. The resemblance is so strong. Aunt and niece, am I correct?”
“That’s right,” Carlotta said. “We have so much to share with April and June about our dear Pilar and our parents.”
“I can hardly wait,” April said. “This was the best birthday gift I could have imagined. I have so many questions about our family.” Her face was filled with wonder and gratitude.
Ivy looked at the crowd. “I think most people have finished eating. Shall we do this now?”
“We’re ready,” June replied.
Ivy tapped on a glass to get everyone’s attention. “We have an announcement to make. And a very special surprise.”
The five women joined hands—Ivy, Shelly, Carlotta, June, and April. Ivy’s father held Daisy, who was enamored with her grandfather now.
“Recently, we’ve had an exciting development in our family,” Ivy began. “Shelly and Mitch had their DNA analyzed for Daisy’s sake. And a surprising discovery was made.” She paused and turned to June and April. “You might wonder who these two lovely women are with us.”
June and April looked out over the crowd with nervous smiles.
Ivy continued, “Some of you know that my mother and Aunt Maya had a sister who passed away in an auto accident at a young age. What you don’t know is that Pilar was pregnant. And until recently, none of us knew that Pilar’s baby survived. What’s even more intriguing is that my grandmother placed Pilar here at the Seabreeze Inn—then called Las Brisas del Mar—under the protection of her good friend, Amelia Erickson.” As soon as Ivy said that, the exterior lights blinked a couple of times.
Their relatives gasped and murmurs swept across the patio.
“Looks like Amelia approves,” Shelly said. Laughter rippled throughout the family, and people began asking questions.
“Yes, Pilar’s daughter is with us today,” Ivy said. “Let’s all give a big family welcome to Pilar’s daughter April and her daughter June.”
“Woo-hoo!” Shelly called out, clapping. She hugged April and June, and other family members began to greet them as well.
Even Diana, who held back at first, approached with her brother and their children to welcome June and April. “This trip has certainly been full of surprises. Ivy, I’m sorry if I came off a little brusque when I arrived. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to be part of a big, extended family.”
“Traveling can be challenging,” Ivy said. “But I’m so glad we got to know each other.” Diana and Robert weren’t so bad after all; in fact, Ivy had found common ground in talking about their families.
April held up her hand. “I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome into the family that I’ve been searching for most of my adult life. That many of you live so close, and that we even have a mutual friend is astounding. Ginger Delavie is here with us tonight.”
Standing next to her, Ginger acknowledged a few people she knew here. “I can assure you that April is a fine person. You’re fortunate to have found each other.”
“My daughter June arranged all this for me as a surprise today, which is my birthday,” April said. “And I’d love for you to meet my other daughter, May, who is traveling right now. She’s eager to meet you all as well.”
Ivy stepped back to watch family members greet April and June. She looked at Bennett, who was making his way to her.
When he reached her side, he put his arm around her. “Once again, you’ve surprised me with the way you handled this situation.”
“It wasn’t easy at first,” she said. “There was a lot to sort out. If Mom and Aunt Maya hadn’t been here, we couldn’t have really confirmed our mutual history. But look at everyone now. They’re all fascinated with this new connection.”
“The reunion has been a success, too. I know how much you wanted to do this for your parents.”
“They look like they’re enjoying themselves.” Ivy leaned against Bennett’s sturdy frame. His support and acknowledgment meant so much to her. “I couldn’t have planned such a perfect surprise; it was as if an unseen hand was guiding us. We wouldn’t have discovered the sketch unless Diana had come early.”
Bennett grinned and kissed her forehead. “Maybe it was the spirit of Amelia Erickson?”
Ivy smiled up at her husband. “Something like that.” She was almost ready to believe, but not quite.
Later that evening, the family gathered on the beach in front of the firepit, reminiscing and laughing as they shared stories with their newest members, June and April.
Leaning forward to warm her hands against the evening chill, Ivy watched the pair across the flickering fire. So far, they were meshing well with the family.
“Do you like living on Crown Island?” Shelly asked.
“It’s a wonderful community,” April replied. “Much like Summer Beach, and not that far away.” She glanced at her daughter. “June has just returned to Crown Island. You might say that we’re both starting new chapters in our lives.”
June dipped her head. “They don’t want to hear about our challenges, Mom.”
Ivy’s curiosity was piqued. “Shelly and I started over in Summer Beach, and it wasn’t that long ago.” She slipped her hand into Bennett’s. “That was one of the best moves of our lives.”
“I’d like to hear more about how you accomplished that,” April said. “We’re doing okay, but we’re both on our own for the first time in years. That’s why discovering all of you means so much to us.”
April’s words struck Ivy, and she detected a raw vulnerability under the other woman’s brave, gracious exterior. “Whenever you’d like to talk, we’re here.” More than discovering new cousins, Ivy felt like she’d found new friends.
April smiled at Carlotta and Maya, who were sitting next to her in Adirondack chairs. “For now, I want to learn more about my mother and her sisters. What was Pilar like as a child?”
“She had a magnetic smile…the most fun and outgoing one of us.” Carlotta gazed into the fire, recalling her memories. “Maya, remember the time that she talked our parents into adopting a dog?”
As they reminisced, April and June leaned forward, listening to every word. Ivy noticed a few yawns around the firepit.
Sitting next to Carlotta, Sterling motioned toward their quarters. “Why don’t you two turn in? We won’t be much longer.”
Ivy kissed her father on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad. It’s been a long day.” She and Bennett slipped away from the family. When they reached their unit, Ivy strolled onto the open-air deck.
Bennett swept his arms around her. “Care for a glass of wine in the treehouse?”
“I’d love that.” While Bennett opened a bottle, Ivy lit a few candles. The rustle of palm fronds and rhythmic ocean waves was the only soundtrack they needed. Ivy nestled on the sofa as Bennett poured two glasses.
Touching her glass, he said, “Here’s to you, and to family.” As they sipped, Bennett draped his arm around her shoulders. “I have a confession to make.”
The serious tone of his voice struck her. “I’m listening.”
“I’ve been wondering lately if our lives could be more adventurous. At times I’ve questioned if I was missing out on something.”
Ivy grew quiet. Between the demands of the mayoral office and the inn, had their lives become too predictable? “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Bennett drew her closer. “I didn’t realize what being part of the Bay and Reina families meant before the reunion. Your extended family made me and Mitch feel so much a part of them.”
Ivy enjoyed hearing that. She’d watched how Bennett built trust and friendship with others in her family. “What do you think now?”
“I fell in love with you,” Bennett replied, cradling her cheek in his palm. “But now I feel like I discovered the real heart of a sprawling family. The traditions, history, and love between you all touched me on a deep level. The way you brought April and June into the family—and Kendra, Dave, and Logan, too—recalibrated my thoughts.”
“And now?”
“Sometimes a man looks at the other side of the fence, at friends who have bigger boats like Tyler and his buddies who are building important businesses and taking trips around the world.”
“We should have a chance to travel more someday. Is that what you’d like to do?” Ivy asked softly.
Bennett shook his head. “These last few days showed me that there’s more to life than the proverbial bigger boat. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I have all I could want right here. The love of my life and the love of her family. I’m so grateful for that—what more could I ask for?”
His words meant so much to her. Ivy ran her hand over his shoulder. “Dance lessons?”
Laughing, Bennett said, “We don’t have to do that.”
“You’ve gotten me all excited for nothing? No, sir. We’re signing up. I’m going to waltz and foxtrot with you if it’s the last thing I do. We can dance on the beach.”
“We’ve already done that, remember?”
Ivy rested her head on Bennett’s shoulder. “I’ll never forget that night. But learning how to dance with you would be fun. Look at Mom and Dad and how much they enjoy dancing together.”
“Well, then, I know just the place in town,” Bennett said, his eyes twinkling in the candlelight.
“And there’s one more thing I’ve been thinking about.” She knew what had been on his mind for a long time, and she wanted to meet him halfway. That’s what marriage was all about. Creating family bonds, being there for each other, and realizing their dreams together. “About that honeymoon…how about this winter?”
Bennett looked surprised. “Are you sure you can get away?”
“I’ll make the time.” She pressed a hand to his cheek, resolving to keep her promise to him.
He kissed her on the forehead. “Where did you have in mind?”
Ivy tilted her face to her husband, teasing him with her lips. “You’ll never guess.”
Bennett threw his head back and laughed. “Probably not. But this is what I love about you, Ivy Bay. You keep our future exciting.”
“And I love everything about you.” She twined her arms around his neck, enjoying the connection between them.
As they found themselves in each other’s arms, their wine was quickly forgotten. Their future lay ahead, and Ivy was certain now that whatever happened, their love would only grow.
The End