Page 31 of On the Line

I flicked my eyes up towards the sky, wondering if Ellie would’ve been as surprised as I was that our youngest, wildest, most challenging child would be the first to get married and give us a grandchild.

“That’s incredible news, son,” I said, swelling with pride. “We are going to have so much to celebrate tonight.” A calmness washed over me and I swear it must’ve been Ellie speaking to me from heaven when I thought to ask: “Do you have a ring picked out?”

Trevor shook his head. “To be honest, no. I was planning to get one and propose at New Years, but it seemed like the perfect moment just now.”

“I’ll be right back,” I said, holding up a finger.

Teary eyed, I went to the bathroom and liftedEllie’s conch pearl ring from the dish. “I’m listening, Ellie,” I whispered to myself in the mirror. I returned to the living room with the ring wrapped in my fist. “You may want to get a diamond for your engagement ring,” I told my son. “But since you’re the first to make a family, I think your mother would want you to have this.” I held out my hand and uncurled my fingers, the ring lying flat on my palm.

“Mom’s ring?” Trouble leaned forward, his eyes wide. He picked it up, and turned to Corinne. “It would make me so proud for you to wear this ring.” He slipped it on the ring finger of her left hand.

She kept her hand out, admiring the ring, the other hand over her mouth. She blinked up through tears, first at Trevor, then at me. “Are you sure? This must be so special for you.”

“You have no idea how special you would be to Ellie. She would want you to have it.” I knew it in my bones. “Welcome to the family.”

A happy tear slipped down her cheek, and before we could all dissolve in tears, she quipped, “I would never have believed I’d be marrying into a fishing family,” giggling under her breath. Since she was a marine biologist who’d been very vocal against the fishing industry, we were all surprised that the enemies had found true love.

“We’re lucky to have you,” I told her sincerely. “Trouble needs a strong woman to keep him in line.”

Corinne giggled. “That might be a tall order, but I’ll do my best,” she said with the sweetest smile. “All jokes aside, I’m truly honored to be part of the Rodman clan. And to have such a special heirloom. Thank you so much.”

I ached for Ellie but kept a brave face as we mulled over potential dates and plans.

“Ho ho ho!” The twins, Reef and Kai came in, booming voices accompanied by barking dogs, their usual rough and tumble, bouncing selves. Reef’s golden lab, and Kai’s brown one chased each other around, the living room erupting into a chaos reminiscent of their childhood.The house was finally starting to feel like a home again.

“Finally,” I said, taking the brown paper sack from Reef. “The meal has arrived. Good thing the dogs didn’t get our prime rib.”

Kai and I unloaded the bags in the kitchen. “Home cooked at The Green Turtle still counts as home cooked, right?” I asked him.

“Absolutely. Even mom would approve,” Kai said, patting my back. While I doubted the validity of his claim, I appreciated the sentiment.

“Have you guys heard from your sister?” I asked after Coulter sauntered in, his brown hair falling in his eyes, looking unusually dapper in nice clothes.

“I talked to her,” Kai piped up. “She said she’s flying some rich guy into Ocean Reef and will be here as soon as she can.”

“What about your biggest brother?”

“Who, me?” My firstborn strode in. Tall, calm, collected, Spence was the one who always kept the rest in line. He was holding a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label, a red bow tied around the neck. “Let’s get this party started!”

“Good to see you, son.” I stood and hugged him, taking the bottle into the kitchen to pour us a glass. He followed behind with a Key Lime Pie, as if he’d anticipated me ruining the cake. Spence was the responsible one, the level headed and reliable rock his siblings always knew they could turn to. And the one who took charge of the business after Ellie passed.

“You too, Dad. What can I do?”

“Just stick that pie in the fridge, everything else is ready to go.”

Corinne declined wine, which Kai chided. I nearly spilled the beans about the bun in the oven but I caught myself. They would share the news themselves after Ava arrived.

The nearly homemade dinner was delightful, and the anticipation of Trevor and Corinne dropping their bomb made it even more satisfying. While we ate, the kids went around the table giving updateson their lives. When Corinne’s turn came, Coulter asked her how the diving had been at the sanctuary, explaining to Ava she led the research project at the underwater Aquarius lab. Corinne squirmed in her seat before answering. “I haven’t been down there lately, but it’s always lovely.”

“Sucks being the boss, eh?” Kai said. “Stuck behind a desk instead of doing what you love.”

Corinne had a deer in headlights look. She didn’t want to be the one to tell him that pregnant women aren’t allowed to scuba dive.

Trouble came to her rescue. “Corinne has a good reason for not diving,” he said, gazing adoringly at his fiancé. With all eyes on her, Corinne’s face turn pink as Trevor continued. “There’s going to be a spring wedding and a baby before the end of summer.”

Ava beamed, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. “Oh my god! That’s wonderful news.” She jumped up and ran around the table to hug Corinne.The twins stared at each other in shock. Spence smiled and shook his head like he would never have guessed it.

I let out a chuckle. “Now that your little brother is getting hitched and making me a grandpa, don’t think the rest of you are off the hook.”

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