“I’M SO GLAD the weather is warm enough that we could celebrate on the patio,” Tessa remarked as she bounced Grace on one knee. The little girl was growing quickly and Tessa couldn’t believe she was now a year old.
Beside them, Harper admired the view of the bay from where they each sat in one of the outdoor chairs at Callahan’s. “I love that our restaurant sits along the waterfront. Thank goodness that Connor’s dad owned the property long before the tourist boom came to town. It’s prime real estate now.”
“Did I hear you mention Dad?” Rory Landry asked as she took a seat next to Tessa. “Hand that niece over, Tessa,” she said, without waiting for Harper to reply. “You get to see her more than I do, with me living in Nashville.”
Tessa surrendered Grace into the other woman’s arms without objection. She couldn’t imagine how Connor’s sister did it, living so far away from family. But then, Rory and Sawyer were often on the road, traveling the world due to his crazy concert schedule as an award-winning country musician and their constant charity events to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s foundations.
So far, Sawyer had exhibited no symptoms of the early-onset version of the disease, but Tessa knew the couple lived each day as if it were precious, never sure how long they had together. They had made a point to clear their schedule for this weekend, though, so they could attend little Gavin Daniels’s christening. Sawyer had been best friends with the baby’s namesake. Burke’s brother and Sawyer had gone through high school together and then Army basic training. And Rory and Erin had always been close. They had been determined to be here for little Gavin’s big day.
Tessa’s gaze shifted now to where Burke and Erin stood, greeting their guests while their oldest son, Kitt, looked on, watching over his newborn brother as Erin held the infant in her arms. Tessa felt that familiar pang at the sight, but it didn’t linger. Every day, she was learning to let go of her grief and jealousy. It helped that she and Noah had begun discussing their options, including adoption. The idea was growing on her, though she wasn’t ready to make any decisions yet. After all, Noah had only just officially proposed last month. They had a wedding to plan, which would keep them both busy enough in addition to their duties at the hospital. Dr. Hess had made true on his promise. Tessa’s job as the hospital’s marketing and PR coordinator was secure.
Plus, she had another role to consider.
“I think I better help Erin out by offering to hold my godson for a bit.”
Harper reached out to touch her hand briefly before she stood. She returned the gesture by brushing her fingers along Harper’s shoulders as she moved away. It felt good to have her sister’s love and support.
“Take your time,” Rory called after her, though her attention was focused squarely on Grace. “You’re not getting this little one back for a while!”
Tessa tossed a smile over her shoulder. She didn’t mind sharing Grace with Rory. She only hoped her niece understood one day just how blessed she was to have a family who loved her so much.
As she walked by, she caught sight of Zoe and Molly, giggling together as they hovered near a tray of cupcakes. They met her eye, and she gave them a warning glance. They grinned impishly and hurried away from the table, across the restaurant patio and over to where Connor and Sawyer were deep in conversation. It was good to see Zoe with so much color in her cheeks. There was a crown of hair on her scalp now that she had achieved full remission from her leukemia. It was just another reminder to Tessa that this was a day of blessings.
Erin saw her coming and let out a breath of relief, passing Gavin into her arms without Tessa having to ask.
“Thank you,” she said, turning toward Tessa for a moment. “He was starting to get a little heavy.”
Tessa tucked Gavin’s baby blanket more tightly around him. It was a warm spring day, but she didn’t want the breeze from the bay giving him a chill. “Of course,” Tessa said to Erin, “after all, that’s what godmothers are for.”
Erin reached out to squeeze her arm. “Thank you, for you and Noah agreeing to share the honor with Sawyer and Rory.”
“We were happy to.” She looked into Gavin’s face. The newborn’s eyes were scrunched up in sleep, seemingly uninterested that he was the honoree of this christening luncheon. “After all, a baby can’t have too many aunts and uncles.”
“You’re right about that,” Erin murmured. “And godmothers are important.”
Something in Erin’s tone caused Tessa to raise her eyes. The two women shared a meaningful glance.
“Don’t leave godfathers out of that.” Tessa grinned at the sound of Noah’s voice, tingling with pleasure as he wrapped his arms around her from behind and looked over her shoulder into Gavin’s face. The baby yawned widely and tugged one arm free from his blanket to wave a first in the air. Noah reached out a finger to trace the tiny knuckles. Gavin opened his hand and latched on to Noah’s knuckle.
“I’m telling you now, this kid is going to be a champion arm wrestler,” Noah announced.
Burke, who had been in midconversation with his good friend Neal Weaver, shifted his attention to Noah. “Of course he is. He’s a Daniels. His namesake was undefeated when it came to arm wrestling.”
Erin laughed softly. “Yes, he was.”
There was a moment of silence for Gavin, Burke’s brother and Erin’s first husband, who had died a few years ago.
Tessa was grateful for how gently Noah broke the quiet by saying, “He’s a fortunate little guy, then. I was cursed with these delicate doctor’s hands, and I’ve never won an arm wrestling match in my life.”
This remark earned a round of laughter, and Tessa’s heart warmed. With her free hand, she reached for his and gave it a squeeze.
Erin and Burke’s attention was quickly diverted by more guests. Tessa took the opportunity to move away, bouncing Gavin gently in her arms as Noah directed her toward the railing that overlooked the lighthouse in the distance.
He wrapped his arms around her once more, drawing her back against his chest. Gavin sighed with contentment, and Tessa’s heart did the same. The sun glinted off the waves of the bay, scattering sunbeams like diamonds across the water. The air was fresh with the scent of spring…and hope.
Tessa shifted her gaze to look into the baby’s face. His eyes fluttered open, blinking against the light.
“What do you think the future holds for him?” Tessa asked, daydreaming aloud. “I hope he never knows sorrow or pain, and that all his days are bright.”
Noah pressed a kiss to her jaw, and she shivered with happiness at the gentle touch of his lips.
“That is a lovely thought, Tessa, though he’ll likely face his own share of joy and sadness.”
“Hmm. You’re probably right,” Tessa reluctantly agreed. “But then I pray he also knows love. The kind that stands strong, like that lighthouse—” she turned her attention to the structure in the distance “—and holds firm no matter how hard the waves crash against it.”
“That sounds like the perfect benediction for a christening day,” he remarked, his voice low as he nuzzled her neck.
“I hope so,” she replied, turning her head slightly so Noah could move from her neck and up her jaw, making his way toward her lips. “Because I know how that kind of love feels. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
And then Noah’s mouth found hers, and he demonstrated his agreement without words as the waves of the bay lapped gently against the Findlay Roads shore.
* * * * *