Page 27 of Coral Memories

Kai twisted her lips to one side. “A little better, although I’ve had some weird stuff going on. Being pregnant is like some alien being taking over your body. Not to mention stretching it into a new shape I’ve never seen before. We can talk later. I don’t want to ruin this vibe.”

“Have you been feeling bad?” Marina shot a look of concern at Brooke.

“The morning sickness has passed, but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel now,” Kai replied, biting her lip. “I’ve never done this before.”

“You’re probably fine.” Brooke rubbed Kai’s arm. “But I’ll go with you to the doctor if you want.”

“I’d like that,” Kai said, sounding relieved. “This is when you really wish you had a mother, not to minimize Ginger in any way. It’s just been a long time since she had a baby.”

“We understand,” Marina said, trading another look with Brooke. “We’re both here for you.”

Kai swallowed hard and hugged her. “I don’t know what I’d do without you two.”

“Fortunately, you won’t have to,” Marina said, smiling. She remembered being scared with the twins. That was twenty-two years ago tonight, and Ginger had been her rock.

Leo tugged on her sleeve. “Hey, Marina. Dad said to ask you when you’re going to light the candles. I think he wants a cupcake.”

“Let’s light them now.” He had helped her put candles on the cake. “Would you tell Heather and Ethan we’re ready?”

“Okay.” He set off with his friend Samantha beside him.

“Help me light the candles,” Marina said to Brooke, handing her a lighter.

Presently, Heather appeared, dragging Ethan behind her. “Gosh, you act like I’m torturing you. Just blow out your share of the candles. You win a couple of tournaments and suddenly, you’re too good for this?”

“I never said that. I was right in the middle of telling a story.” Ethan threw up his hands at the sight of the candles. “What the heck? How many candles did you use, Mom? This looks like a bonfire.”

Leo piped up, showing his stepbrother his handiwork. “That’s your side, Ethan. You got the blue candles, and Heather has the pink candles. So you each have your own now. No more sharing.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense,” Ethan said, tousling Leo’s hair.

Ginger started singing the birthday song, and everyone joined in.

Marina watched her twins’ eyes sparkle with happiness as the raucous chorus rang out. The last few years had been a transition for them, but at last, they were both in good places in their lives.

After dropping out of Duke, Ethan was proving himself in the amateur golf circuit and planning to turn pro, and Heather was graduating and entertaining job offers.

As the song ended, Ginger said, “Make a wish, and aim high.”

Ethan shot his sister a mischievous look before they leaned forward. Heather blew out hers with a long breath, while Ethan needed a couple of attempts, thanks to his exaggerated cheek-puffing shenanigans. Laughter exploded around them as the last candle flickered out.

“What kind are these?” asked the athletic young woman who had come with Ethan. “They all look so yummy.”

Marina reeled off the choices again. “Take a couple,” she added. Ethan told her they had met golfing, and she seemed nice enough.

A murmur of satisfaction rippled through the crowd as Heather’s friends and Ethan’s golfing buddies swarmed the cupcakes and began to eat.

Heather handed one to her boyfriend. “Saved you a double chocolate one. These are the best.”

Blake shook his head. “Thanks, but I can’t eat right now.”

“Are you feeling okay, sweetie?” Heather asked, furrowing her brow. “You didn’t have much for dinner either.”

“I’m okay.” Blake checked the time. “But there’s something I need to talk to you about. Could you come with me?”

“Sure,” Heather replied, looking curious and a little concerned.

Marina watched Blake lead Heather toward the fire pit at the edge of the patio. Her heart leapt for them. She’d been watching them all evening.

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