Page 96 of Under Southern Stars
Maria: You won't believe this!!! Tasha stepped up BIG TIME. We have to talk soon! You are going to squeal!
I smile. The ER seems to be surviving without me, which is both reassuring and slightly deflating.
“Mom? You up?” Madison’s voice comes through the connecting door, followed by her head poking in. “Jack says we’re leaving in an hour.”
“I’m up.” I swing my legs over the side of the bed. “Did you pack your overnight bag like I asked?”
“Almost done.” She flops onto the foot of my bed, scrolling through her phone. “Emma—Jack’s sister—texted me a bunch of pictures of the vineyard. It looks so cool! There are actual mountains behind it.”
“Let me see.” I lean over as she holds up her phone, displaying photos of stunning mountain vistas behind neatly organized rows of grapevines. “Wow. That is beautiful.”
“Jack says his other sister Lily has a collection of seashells from all over New Zealand that she wants to show me. And we might get to see kiwi birds!” Madison’s excitement is palpable, her legs bouncing against the mattress.
“Someone’s excited about meeting the family,” I tease, though my own stomach flutters with anticipation.
“Well, yeah.” Her tone suggests this is obvious. “They raised Jack, and he’s pretty cool, so they must be awesome too.”
The simple logic of teenagers. I hope she’s right.
“Plus,” she adds with studied casualness, “I told Chloe that if this trip goes well, we might be able to come back for Christmas or something. You know, since you and Jack are…whatever you are.”
“Whatever we are?” I raise an eyebrow.
She rolls her eyes. “You know. Like, serious. He told you he loves you, Mom. I heard him say it last night when you guys came back from dinner.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Madison Grace—”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping!” she protests. “The walls are thin, and you guys were right outside my door. Besides, I think it’s nice.” Her expression softens. “He looks at you like you’re something special.”
Something in my chest loosens, a knot I hadn’t realized was there. “He is…special,” I admit quietly. “But we’re still figuring things out.”
“Well, figure faster,” she says, pushing herself off the bed. “Because Emma says their mom is already planning our Christmas visit, and I want to see what a Southern Hemisphere Christmas looks like.”
After she bounces back to her room, I sit for a moment, letting her words sink in. Jack told you he loves you. Not just in a heat-of-the-moment whisper, but openly enough that Madison had heard. And I’d said it back, sort of. I might be falling for you too.
It still terrifies me, that vulnerability. But for the first time in years, the fear feels like excitement rather than dread.
Jack appears in the doorway twenty minutes later, carrying a cardboard tray with three cups. “Morning, gorgeous. Brought flat whites for us adults, and that chocolate monstrosity Madison claims is coffee.”
I accept my cup with a kiss. “You’re a saint.”
“Practical, not saintly. The drive to Central Otago takes a bit, and I’d rather have you both properly caffeinated.” His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Nervous about us meeting your family?” I ask gently.
He pauses, then nods, gaze dropping to his coffee. “A bit. My mum can be…intense. And it’s been a while since I’ve brought anyone home.”
“Well, Madison’s already made Christmas plans with Emma, so I think we’re stuck with you,” I tease.
His head snaps up. “Christmas plans?”
“Apparently your sister and my daughter are already plotting a summer Christmas for us.” I sip my coffee, watching him carefully. “Too presumptuous?”
“No,” he says quickly. “No, that’s…brilliant, actually. I’d love that.” His smile warms, becoming more genuine. “The Southern Hemisphere Christmas is something to experience. Beach barbecues, swimming, sunburn. Not a snowflake in sight.”
