Page 73 of Building What's Meant to Be

Bess huffs. “Don’t tell me it was Tinsley.”

I hold my tongue because this isn’t about her. “Where is Mae? How is she doing?”

“She’s having a baby. Mom and Dad got here last night.”

“I didn’t realize they’d left.” They’d come down to Butterbury around the due date and stayed at Mae’s. We’d been discussing house plans before I had to fly to LA. Admittedly, in the time since, I’ve been preoccupied with the case...and kissing Tinsley.

“Dad wanted to go to an airshow up north. I guess he said it’ll be his last one.”

I nod knowingly.

“Do you mean they’re really moving back down here?” Bess asks.

“Mae is luring them with a baby. I’m building them a house and—”

“And I’ll just...contribute some charm.” She shimmies.

“You always do, Bess.”

“Thanks,” she says as though disappointed she doesn’t have something better to offer. “Actually, I bet Mom would love to work a few days a week at the bakery.”

“Tinsley would appreciate that too.”

“What did she do?”

“We’ll talk about the brownies later. How’s our sister?”

“Mom is in there with her and Taylor too. Dad is getting some celebration pie from the Starlight.”

“Does that mean the baby is here?”

Bess’s gaze shifts to the side and she listens.

A baby’s cry splits the softly playing instrumental music from somewhere nearby.

“I’d say the answer is a yes.”

Despite my usual composure, the three of us jump up and down and hug.

Less than five minutes later, Dad is back. We exchange a greeting around a stack of pie boxes and paper plates. “Rhondy said she’ll be over later with dinner.”

Taylor ushers us into the room to meet our nephew. He’s small, pink, and has a shock of dark hair. Everything about him is tiny, precious. Perfect. My eyes mist over at the little miracle that just took place.

After we all dote on Mae, Taylor, and the baby, Mom and Bess pass out plates of pie. I take a bite, feeling full of love, life, and the faith that anything is possible.

From across the room, Mae says, “Aiden, you have a look on your face.”

Bess agrees. They all do.

“I’m in awe.” I tip my head toward the infant, resting in my sister’s arms.

“Yeah, but it’s something else.”

Bess wags her finger at me.

“I’m in love.”

“Yep. I knew it.” Mae exhales. “I warned her not to break your heart. Do not let her break your heart.”

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