Page 46 of Can't Take Moore

It turned out that neither Vienna nor I had to keep my aunt and uncle in line because they decided to behave themselves. Although, that might have had something to do with my mom deciding the birth of another generation of Moores meant it was past time to heal the breach.

After speaking with the new mom and dad, she told Vienna and me not to worry about calling Baxter's parents because she would do it herself. Half an hour later, they showed up at the hospital with gifts in hand. And not just for the baby. Aunt Penelope brought a gift basket for Skyler, and Uncle Franklin had a present for Simon.

Their thoughtfulness and inclusion of his beloved wife and stepson went a long way with Baxter, and I suspected they had my mom to thank for that.

“He’s so perfect,” Aunt Penelope cooed as she looked down at the newborn cradled in Baxter’s arms.

Uncle Franklin nodded and told his son, “He looks just like you when you were born.”

“Would you like to hold him?” my cousin asked.

“Yes, please,” Aunt Penelope gasped, holding out her arms. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she held the baby. “I can’t believe you used to be this tiny. You’ll see how time flies with a baby, and they’re all grown up before you know it. Maybe we should rent a place here so we can visit whenever you need help with him.”

Nudging Vienna, I pointed toward the hallway, and she nodded. As we left the room to give them some privacy, she whispered, “Your mom is a miracle worker.”

I pulled her close and brushed my lips against her temple. “It would certainly appear so. I never thought I'd see the day when my uncle Franklin and aunt Penelope offered to stay in Mooreville for more than a day or two and only because they were forced to due to a big family gathering.”

Vienna shook her head. “I don't get why they don't love this place. It's so much better than living in the big city where nobody looks out for their neighbors.”

I shrugged. “From what my dad told me, Uncle Franklin couldn't wait to get out of Mooreville fast enough. He left for college and pretty much never looked back.”

“So it's not just because Penelope doesn't like it here?” she asked.

“No, it’s his fault just as much as it's hers.” I glanced back at the room we’d just left. “But judging by the sappy looks in their eyes when they saw baby Franklin, I think they're finally coming to appreciate Mooreville like the rest of us.”

“Yeah, I can see how the birth of a grandchild could make them reevaluate everything. It’s a heck of a wake-up call.” I just hoped it wouldn't take something drastic like this to get her mom to come around. I'd hate for there to be as many decades of awkwardness between Vienna and her mom as there had been with Baxter's dad and my grandparents.

My mom caught the tail end of our conversation as we joined them in the waiting room again. “You’re right. Little Franklin’s birth was the perfect opportunity for Franklin Jr and Penelope to finally come to their senses.”

“It was about damn time that my big brother pulled his head out of his ass,” my dad grumbled.

My mom swatted his shoulder. “Mike, that’s no way to talk. We’re at the hospital.”

My dad huffed out a sigh. “It’s nothing everyone here hasn’t heard before.”

“And truer words have never been said,” Uncle Bruce chimed in.

“You can say that again,” Uncle Chuck agreed.

“How about you don’t? And be sure to clean up your language around the baby so his first word isn’t a cuss,” Aunt Patty suggested.

“Do you think that warning applies to us too, or just our dads?” my cousin Logan asked.

“Don’t be a dumbass.” Rigden hit the back of his youngest brother’s head. “You know damn well that Mom meant that as a warning for us, too.”

Aunt Patty said, “Yet here you both are, swearing up a storm.”

“Sorry, Mom,” they apologized in unison.

“Much better.”

Vienna giggled at their antics, and my mom smiled warmly at her. Seeing her getting along so well with my family meant a lot to me, and she’d fit right in even under the difficult circumstances.

As soon as Vienna was out of earshot, my mom tugged me over to a corner of the waiting room, away from everyone else. “I see how you look at her. You’re in love.”

“Mom,” I sighed, shaking my head—not in denial, but because I couldn’t believe she wanted to have this conversation here and now.

She sniffled. “What? I can be excited, my baby boy is finally in love with a girl. I feel as though I’ve been waiting for this day forever.”

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