Page 110 of Meet Me at Midnight

Christmas is coming up, and just like always, we’re celebrating at the Bankses’ house. Beau and I live in the house he built while we were falling in love, and our two-year-old daughter Addy is already a little beach bug. We take her paddleboarding on the weekends when she isn’t having tea parties with Aunt Avery, and by and large, all of my dreams have just about come true.

My parents still aren’t around often, but after a conversation with Beau last year, my dad is making more of an effort. For me and for Addy. We know what it’s like to have a loving support system, and we want the same for her—as many people as we can get. My mom is still too preoccupied with her search for…something, but she did visit for Addy’s birth and her first and second birthdays. She even called me on my last birthday. Not a text message, but an actual phone call that lasted for over an hour and included her taking genuine interest in my life. It’s still not a lot, but it’s more than she’s ever given me in years.

“How’s that look, Addy?” Beau asks, pointing to the stocking they’ve just hung for her soon-to-be-announced little brother.

Everyone else thinks they’re hanging it for Addy’s imaginary friend, but the truth is, in five months, he won’t be so imaginary.

I smile to myself as Beau waves me over, and I wipe my hands on the towel beside the sink to dry them before heading toward him.

Addy gives the thumbs-up while everyone chatters, and I take my spot under Beau’s strong arm as he clears his throat.

Diane and Neil look in his direction first and then Avery, and I don’t even bother to hide my smile as Beau starts to talk. “Well, now that we’ve got the stocking hung, we’ve got a little bit to be thankful for today. For family and love and midnights.”

“Oh yeah.” I nod. “Have to be thankful for midnights, especially now that we’re looking at even more midnight feedings.”

Avery narrows her eyes. “More midnight feedings? What are you guys talking about?”

“Well,” Beau says. “We know we told you this stocking is for an imaginary member of the Banks family, but next year, he’ll be pretty real.”

“What?” Diane whispers, tears hitting her eyes. “You’re… Junebug, you’re going to have another baby? And he’ll…? It’s a boy?”

Instantly, I’m crying too. “Yep. Due in May.”

“Congratulations! I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandpa again!” Neil exclaims, damn near jumping up and down on his feet.

“Ahh!” Avery shrieks, jumping up from her spot at the coffee table and wrapping me in the tightest hug. “Yay! Oh my God, a little surfer boy. I can see it now.”

“Someone else to fall in love with.” I smile through my tears, and Beau presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Another piece of you and me, here forever.”

“I’m so happy for you!” Diane yells, racing over to wrap me in a hug. I squeeze her tightly and soak it all in.

This is the dream. This is the fantasy.

Who’d have thought? It all started with a single crush on Beau Banks by a young girl with stars in her eyes.

Maybe Cinderella had it right after all. There’s magic at midnight.

“Am I interrupting?” The deep male voice comes from behind us, and when everyone turns around to find Henry standing in the Bankses’ living room, his face morphs into concern. “Wait…what’d I miss? Is everything okay?”

“Beau knocked June up again,” Avery answers. “But why in the hell are you here?”

“Relax, Ave. I invited him,” Beau responds through a soft laugh as he heads over to Henry to give him a man-bro-hug thing. You know, the one where they hug but, like, keep their muscles flexedat the same time, while simultaneously clapping each other hard on the back.

Yeah, that.

“But why is he here?” Avery questions, Beau’s answer clearly not enough of an explanation.

“None of your business,” Beau responds, but Henry just shrugs.

“Beau here, took pity on me and invited me to attend your Christmas festivities in the name of making sure I don’t end up with my head face first in a bottle of whiskey.” He looks over at Diane and Neil. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not,” Diane responds and walks over to him to give him a hug. “It’s so good to see you, Henry. Everything going okay with you?”

“I’m okay,” Henry says, a little sadder smile in place than normal. “Things are just a little different this year.” Henry’s dad passed away after a battle with cancer a few months ago, and I can only imagine the change is startling. His father raised him alone, and for all intents and purposes, he was the only family Henry had. Because of the cancer’s progression, they’ve both had a year to prepare for this inevitable moment, but that doesn’t make being without your loved one any easier.

Thankfully, as I know better than anyone, the Bankses are about as good as a substitute gets.

---