Page 110 of The Summer We Mended
“But they texted…” Anna started, she shook her head and stopped.“It doesn’t matter.This is the best surprise that I’ve ever gotten.I can’t believe you’re real or that you’re here.”
“Once they released me from the hospital, I got lucky that a flight was leaving within the hour.It all worked out perfectly so I could get home to you guys.I…it’s all I thought about.”
“I want to hear everything when you’re ready,” Anna said.“But for now, I’m just going to hug you every five seconds.”
“Hug away,” he chuckled.
“What a miracle,” Lily said, stepping forward.She reached out to her son-in-law and cupped his good cheek, her hand trembling.“Welcome home, sweetheart.”
He smiled.“It’s good to be home.”
The reunion unraveled slowly, like a song that refused to end.Everyone took turns hugging him, touching his arm, making sure he was really there.He held Nora tight, whispering something into her ear that made her grin through her tears.
Anna never let go of him.
When the kids returned to their projects, Luke watched them with awe.His hand found Anna’s, threading their fingers together.
“They made you a gift,” Anna said, laughing softly through her tears.“You were supposed to be surprised later.”
“I still am,” he said.“More than you know.”
“Look, Dad!Grandma helped us make it!”Nora said excitedly.“It’s not glazed yet, and it still has to go into the fire, but this is it.”
Blaze took his dad’s hand and pulled him closer to where Nora was pointing.“It’s an anchor to show how we kept the shore in sight, and we were all anchored together when you were missing.”
“And it has our initials on it.Look, A for Mommy.L for you.B for Blaze.And N for me!And I put a heart on it, too.”
“This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten.I’ll take it with me everywhere,” Luke said as he pulled the kids into an awkward hug, trying not to bump his arm.
“Grandma taught us a lot while you were gone,” Blaze said.
“I’m glad to see Grandma in the studio again.It looks like you all have been really busy.”
“We have!”Nora exclaimed.“Grandma’s been teaching other kids how to make pottery, and we’ve been her special helpers.She even made something for the local art fair, and we got to help her with it.She said she’s going to change the name of her pottery to Lily, Blaze, and Nora productions.”
Nora was grinning proudly as she rattled off the words.Blaze looked pretty proud of himself, too.Seeing how excited her grandkids were about making the pottery and learning from her felt good.It helped ease the ache in her heart that popped up every now and then.
“Well, I think today should be full of celebration when we’re all done here.What do you say, Lily?”Margot asked.
“I think that’s the best thing you’ve said today,” she replied playfully.
“Well, why don’t I go to the grocery store and get us some food, and I’ll make my famous clam chowder tonight.Do you have any special requests, Luke?”Margot asked.
“Clam chowder seems like the perfect dinner for tonight.Especially if I’m surrounded by my family while eating it.”
“I’ll sneak in some surprises, too,” Margot said with a wink.
She gave a quick wave and was out the door before anyone could say anything else.Anna stayed attached to Luke.She couldn’t take her eyes off him while Lily went back to finishing up the class.She could see her daughter looking her husband over carefully, taking stock of his injuries and fussing over him in the best way.Luke just continued to look back at her adoringly while also keeping an eye on the kiddos.
Lily knew that the two of them probably wanted nothing more than to escape back home and be alone, in each other’s arms.They were being really good sports about remaining at the studio and helping out.
“Why don’t you two head back to the house, and I’ll help your mom out here,” Tom offered.
Anna’s eyes immediately flitted to Lily’s.Lily nodded and made a shooing gesture.“The kids and Tom will help me clean up and then we’ll see you guys in a bit.”
Anna mouthedthank youbefore they hugged the twins and snuck out the back door and away from everyone else.
Lily let out a slow breath, smiling as she watched them go.Her eyes fell back on Tom, and she shot him a grateful smile.He winked before he knelt down and started helping one of the kids with their wheel.
