Page 126 of Passed Ball

My head spins with her words, a jumble of revelations that are both tender and cutting. It's like I'm hearing her, but I can't make it all fit. She's been carrying this all alone for months. Holding herself back for me.

That's the last thing I want.

"I needed you to see it too." Her tone shifts from nervous to hopeful. "So, I sent him to Double Play with cake."

Tenley keeps talking, sounding more relieved with each breath. Meanwhile, I'm stuck on one thing. She felt she had to make sureIwas okay before she could live her life. She was so worried about me she was considering not going to Spain. The realization hits like a blow to the chest. I almost caged Tenley without even trying to, just like my family did to me.

"More than anything I want you to live a life filled with experiences and people you love. I wouldneverwant you to hold yourself back for me." My voice is choked with emotion. "Never, Tenley."

I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her, my nose pressed into her hair, and tell her what I need her to hear. "I'm so damn proud of you. Go see the world. Do great things. Be the incredible nurse I know you can be. And thank you for helping me find my people."

"You're going to be okay, Aunt Vi."

I laugh at the conviction behind her words. "Oh, yeah. How do you know?"

"Because sometimes you just know."

And I believe her. There will be moments of sadness when she's gone, but I have Xavier and Holland to help me through it. I have the girls and the comfort of knowing Tenley is doing what makesherhappy. And for the first time in my life I have happiness that's all mine.

Chapter 54

Vivienne

The outdoor space at the hotel Hendrix and Poppy picked to host their wedding is breathtaking. Golden light filters through the trees and the laughter of guests fills the air, but all of that pales in comparison to Xavier standing at the altar with his chosen family.

The music changes and the girls come down the aisle, one after the other, each looking happy and beautiful. My chest fills with warmth reflecting on the day we shared and how they pulled me into the fold. I missed out on so much by shutting the world out, but they made it worth the wait.

All the guests shift, their attention drawn to the bride preparing to walk down the aisle alongside Janet. The James' family matriarch beams broadly at Poppy before they take their first steps down the aisle.

The breeze filters through the pines, ruffling the flowing fabric of her floral jumpsuit. She smooths a hand down Poppy's arm, leaning in to whisper something that makes her soon-to-be granddaughter-in-law throw her head back in laughter. Her joy echoes softly through the mountain clearing as they make their way to the altar.

Poppy is breathtaking in flowing lace, with intricate patterns glinting softly in the sunlight. Her red hair, swept up in a loose chignon that frames her glowing, freckled skin. She looks radiant--stunning--with the cascading train swaying gently with the breeze coming off the surrounding mountains.

They're still a few feet from the altar when Hendrix steps down, unable to wait any longer. He stops to embrace his grandmother first, leaning in as she talks into his ear. When he pulls back, he digs into his pocket for a handkerchief, gently dabbing Janet's cheek before wiping his own.

With a gentle pat to his chest, right over his heart, and a kiss to her grandson's cheek, Janet takes the open seat beside her boyfriend, Marv, in the row in front of me.

Hendrix turns to Poppy, his eyes softening as he plants a firm kiss on her lips, drawing laughter and cheers from the guests. His grin is brighter than the sun peaking through the trees as he takes her hand and leads her the rest of the way to the altar.

But my focus skips over the happy couple to find Xavier already looking at me. The openness of his gaze has tears prickling at my eyes again, and I have to pull my gaze down to check on Holland before I lose it.

Every detail of the ceremony is simple and poignant, focusing on the bond Hendrix and Poppy share. The officiant speaks of enduring love--the kind that transforms a partner into a home, a family, and a forever. It's a sentiment reflected in the way Hendrix looks at Poppy, unable to take his eyes off her as she stands beside him.

When Hendrix reads his vows, he's steady, his voice filled with devotion. He praises Poppy's patient love and creative mind, makes promises to always assume positive intent and never forget the way he feels right now.

Unlike her husband, Poppy's voice trembles with emotion as she recites her vows. She thanks Hendrix for giving her unconditional love and for being her champion at every turn. As they exchange rings, her hand shakes, but the warmth in his gaze as he encourages her steadies them both.

When the officiant announces them husband and wife, Hendrix doesn't wait. He sweeps Poppy into another kiss--this one lasting longer than the first. When they pull apart, they join hands, linking them together as they beam at each other.

It's almost too much for me to take because I want that too.

The music dies down and the guests around me stand to rejoin the wedding party inside for drinks and dancing before dinner. Xavier steps down from the altar, taking Holland from me as I push up off the bench.

I grab the diaper bag and lean into him, letting him lead me inside. There's a private room off the reception space that's been made into a makeshift nursery for the two babies, so we drop Holland's stuff and Xavier takes advantage of the space, laying her in the swing and pulling me close.

There's a desperation in the way his mouth hovers over mine as he backs me into the wall. "I need your mouth." One soft brush against the corner of my mouth before he adds a pleading, "Can you give that to me, sweetheart?"

"Don't mess up my lipstick," I warn, my tone half serious, half playful.

---