Page 13 of The Sunset Shores

“Did you ever regret that we married so young?” Margeaux asked.

“Absolutely not. I hope you haven’t either,” he said. “I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you on the day I met you. I had waited long enough.”

"No, I have no regrets, and I'm still holding you to your promise that we'll have our friends and family at our official wedding reception on the beach."

“There’s plenty of water to choose from. You’re from California, so that’s an option, or we can go with the Hudson River. It doesn’t matter since it’ll be with you and that’ll make it perfect,” Malcolm said as he got ready to leave. He kissed Margeaux before walking out the door. “Be sure to lock up. My mother has a key. Soon Lindsey will be here, and you’ll have an extra layer of security.”

Sophie walked in, and Margeaux was doing an online yoga class.

“Isn’t it a bit late for yoga?” Sophie asked with a smile.

"I did this in Senegal. It's how I relax myself at night before bed. It's a routine I'll keep here in the States," Margeaux said. She snapped her laptop closed and rolled up her yoga mat.

“I’m going to fix myself a cup of herbal tea. Can I get you a cup?” Sophie asked. “We can catch up. I can’t go right to bed after work; I like to wind down, and I’d love the company.”

“I’d love it, and I’m the same way.”

They started by talking about esoteric things like Vera and her parents but then moved on to more meaningful topics. Margeaux told Sophie about the Peace Corps and how the experience changed her.

"The women there have come a long way in the last thirty years, but they still have far to go. Infant mortality rates are horrible because pre-natal care is scarce, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Education is available to women, but some families won't allow their daughters to attend school. They help with the household, and then they get married."

“What was your role there?” Sophie asked.

“I educated the women about their bodies and taught them the signs that something was wrong. I wanted to leave the women in the small villages able to care for each other,” Margeaux explained, then put her head in her hands. “I’m sorry, I’m giving you too much detail.”

“No, this is what I asked for. We never talked before, and now I realize that I was missing out. I hope I wasn’t unkind before you left for Africa, and if I was, please accept my apologies,” Sophie said.

Margeaux chuckled. "I think back to that time, and I acted like a brat. I was entitled, and for some reason, I thought everyone should be impressed by me. I want you to accept my apologies."

Sophie reached in for a hug, and her sweater snagged on the ring hanging from the chain around Margeaux’s neck.

“I’m sorry,” Sophie said. She unattached the ring from her sweater. “This is lovely and so unique. Does it have sentimental value?”

“You could say that. It’s a wedding ring,” she responded.

“Whose?” Sophie asked. She figured it might have belonged to her grandmother.

Margeaux took a deep breath. “Mine. Malcolm gave it to me when we were married before I left for Africa.”

10

“Thanks for getting up so early,” Sophie said. “I wanted to sleep on the news that Margeaux delivered last night. It was the last thing I thought would happen.”

Sophie, Malcolm, and Margeaux sat around the table with coffee cups in their hands. The mood was tense because the couple had no idea how Sophie would respond. She said very little the night before, and they knew she could go either way.

“I’m sorry you had to keep this joyous moment a secret. I understand because I wasn’t emotionally available, but I am now.” Sophie rifled through the fridge and found what she was searching for. A bottle of champagne. “Congratulations. Welcome to the Cast family. I’m so proud of what you and Malcolm are building.”

“Oh, Mom. I’m so relieved that you’re cool with this. Keeping my marriage to Margeaux from you was torturous, and I’m finally going to get to wear my ring on my finger,” Malcolm said. “Margeaux is my everything, and I can’t wait for you to know her better.”

“This is the reaction I was hoping for. With two years to think about it, I was sure it would be a disaster. I overthink things, but my time away has gotten me better at taking one day at a time. Life is fragile, and Senegal taught me that. Thankfully, I was wrong, and now I have two moms,” Margeaux squealed.

Malcolm poured mimosas, but Sophie just took a sip because she had her meeting at Gladstone and Wesson. Sophie felt partially to blame for the delayed announcement because she was a mess. It made her son afraid to rock the boat, and she wondered who else she had alienated. Things were going to be different going forward, and she would accept the future with open arms.

“Are you planning a renewal of vows and a reception? I’ve never planned such a thing, but I’m here to help if you need me. I’m so looking forward to meeting your parents,” Sophie said.

“First, I’ll have to tell them I’m married. They adore Malcolm but wanted me to be settled in my career before making this kind of decision. Part of the reason we got married quietly is so we wouldn’t be talked out of it,” Margeaux said.

“You’ll all be happy to know that we are more committed and in love than we were two years ago. We both grew but not apart,” Malcolm said.

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